Saint Susanna School 7th Grade Summer Reading

Saint Susanna School 7th Grade Summer Reading June 2015 Dear Seventh Grader, This summer you will get a choice between the following two books (yes, y...
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Saint Susanna School 7th Grade Summer Reading June 2015 Dear Seventh Grader, This summer you will get a choice between the following two books (yes, you read that correctly – you only have to choose ONE ): Escape from Mr. Lemoncello’s Library by Chris Grabenstein Kyle Keeley is the class clown, popular with most kids, (if not the teachers), and an ardent fan of all games: board games, word games, and particularly video games. His hero, Luigi Lemoncello, the most notorious and creative gamemaker in the world, just so happens to be the genius behind the building of the new town library. Lucky Kyle wins a coveted spot to be one of the first 12 kids in the library for an overnight of fun, food, and lots and lots of games. But when morning comes, the doors remain locked. Kyle and the other winners must solve every clue and every secret puzzle to find the hidden escape route. And the stakes are very high. In this cross between Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and A Night in the Museum, Agatha Award winner Chris Grabenstein uses rib-tickling humor to create the perfect tale for his quirky characters. Old fans and new readers will become enthralled with the crafty twists and turns of this ultimate library experience. (Barnes and Noble)

Courage for Beginners by Karen Harrington Mysti Murphy has to brave at least three major trials at the onset of seventh grade. The first is having an agoraphobic mother, who never leaves the house even to chauffeur her children to classmates’ houses or extracurricular activities. The second is losing her only friend, Anibal, who has “decided to be a hipster this year” to pursue a girl and wants to avoid publicly associating with Mysti. The third obstacle is the most difficult of all, when her father falls from a tree and is hospitalized. Now Mysti must find a way to be strong and responsible while her mother becomes sadder and more withdrawn. Harrington’s portrait of a resourceful girl weathering transitions and finding creative solutions offers an even balance of humor and painful topics relevant to middle-school readers. The way Mysti views her life, as though she’s a character in a novel (“Here we see a girl washing green beans, extracting melons, and contemplating the true meaning of friendship”), provides a fresh perspective on her thought process, environment, and yearnings. (Publishers Weekly)

The book you choose can be downloaded onto your Kindle or other e-reader device, found at your local library (if you run) and local bookstores, or it may need to be purchased online. Both are available in paperback. If you buy your own copy of the novel, please read actively and take advantage of the freedom to mark up the book by highlighting key passages, circling and then looking up new vocabulary words, and writing notes in the margins to help with the accompanying assignment. If you have already read these books before, please read one again. You wouldn’t pass up a second visit to Disney World or a favorite restaurant, or a sleepover at a best friend’s house. Books offer a new adventure and an individual gains new insights each time they are read just as the above activities do.

Saint Susanna School 7th Grade Summer Reading

Please see the next page for your assignments……………………

Now for the assignments:  First of all, an AR test MUST be taken for your book of choice. The school will be open over the summer from June 9th to July 30th on Tuesdays from 10 am to 12 pm and Thursdays from 4 pm to 6 pm ONLY. Please enter from 5th Street at the door on the side of the school closest to classroom 8B-E and proceed to the Computer Lab from there.

 You may also take the test within the first week of school. The test will count for a grade to assess your independent reading, but if you do not do well, please do not stress as it is only the start of the year and you will have plenty of opportunities to raise your average as long as the inclination is present.

 On the second day of school, the attached writing assignment, worth 100 points, will be due. Please read and follow the directions carefully.

I will check my email throughout the summer – [email protected] - so don’t hesitate to send me your questions or concerns. This information and the assignment will also be posted on the Edline home page just click on Summer Reading. Please remember the AR requirement for the book. I am looking forward to meeting you! Most sincerely, Miss Thomas

Saint Susanna School 7th Grade Summer Reading

Saint Susanna School Summer Reading Assignment 2015 7th Grade Book Your Name: _____________________________________________________________________________ Title of Book: __ __________________________________________________________________________ Author: __ __________________________________________________________________________

Directions: Use the space provided to answer the questions that follow. Restate the question(s) and use complete sentences. Be sure to write neatly and legibly. If you prefer to type your answers and attach them, that is perfectly fine. This assignment can also be found on the Edline home page - just click on Summer Reading. You may use additional paper if you run out of room. You must turn this assignment in on the second day of school. It is worth 100 points. Do your best!

Main Character Almost every book revolves around one or more main characters. The main character can change from the beginning of the story to the end. Who is the main character? (If there is more than one main character, choose one!)

Characteristics and Traits A characteristic or trait is a feature that helps identify a character. In a story, the characteristics of the main character are what set him or her apart from the other characters in the story. Some characteristics are external, such as a character’s physical appearance. *External traits can be anything from a character’s height and hair color to abilities and skills. * Some external traits are more important than others! Choose one that is important to the story!

Saint Susanna School 7th Grade Summer Reading

What is one important external trait of the main character?

Why is this trait important?

Write down a sentence or passage from the novel and include the page number(s) where this trait is described.

Characteristics and Traits Some characteristics are internal, such as a character’s personality. *Internal traits are a character’s emotions, beliefs, attitudes, or fears; internal traits are what make a character’s personality unique. *Some internal traits are more important than others! Choose one that is important to the story!

What is one important internal trait of the main character?

Why is this trait important?

Saint Susanna School 7th Grade Summer Reading

Write down a sentence or passage from the novel and include the page number(s) where this trait is described:

Goal In most stories, the main character has a goal – something he or she wants or wants to accomplish. This is not the same thing as a conflict (see next question). Most main characters have one main (most important) goal and this goal isn’t necessarily something external or physical! A character can have more than one goal, and a character’s goals can change throughout the story. What is the main character’s goal?

Why is this goal important to the character?

Conflict Most main characters have a main (most important) conflict: an enemy, obstacle, or problem that he or she has to overcome. Many stories have more than one conflict. Just like the goal, the main conflict isn’t necessarily something external or physical! The main conflict of the story is usually what stops the main character from reaching his or her goal.

What is the main conflict of the novel?

Saint Susanna School 7th Grade Summer Reading How does this conflict stop the main character from reaching his or her goal?

Resolution In most stories, the main character’s conflicts and experiences cause him or her to change or to learn a valuable lesson. The part of the story where the main character learns this lesson or realizes that he or she has changed is called the resolution. It’s where all of the loose ends are tied up! The resolution is the final outcome of the story. Be sure to answer all parts of these questions:  Specifically describe how the main character changes from the beginning of the story to the end.  What was an important lesson learned by the main character?  Did you like the resolution of this story? Why or why not?

Saint Susanna School 7th Grade Summer Reading

Mood The mood of a story is the feelings or emotions created in the reader. An author creates the mood through his or her descriptions, word choice, and writing style. Moods can range from horror and sadness to amazement and humor. The mood of a story can change from moment to moment or scene to scene, but most stories have an overall or general mood. The mood is how you feel when you are reading the book – not how the characters feel!

Describe the mood of the story:

Write down two sentences or passages found in separate sections of the novel that help create the mood – be sure to include the page numbers for each.

Theme The theme of a story is a broad statement about life or human nature. The theme is not what happens in the story (that’s the plot!) – the theme is why it matters. Ask yourself what the author’s point is – why did he or she write this story and what did he or she want you to learn? Consider what the main character learns in the story – often, that’s a clue to a story’s theme! A story can have more than one theme, but most stories have one main theme.

What do you think is the main theme of this novel? Explain why using examples from the story.

Write down a passage from the novel (include the page numbers) that relates to or suggests this theme,

Saint Susanna School 7th Grade Summer Reading