Summer Reading Books & Assignments for 2009-2010

All assignments must be completed and brought to school on the first day

 

 

Junior High Summer Reading List

 

Each student must read two books over the summer. The book title in bold faced type is mandatory and the other book required over the summer may be chosen from the grade level list below. Please have both books read, assignments completed and brought to class on the first day of school. Assignment information may also be found on my website. To access my website go to stanthony-school.org and click “Crusader Links”, and then click Ms. Price

 

 

6^th Grade

Homeless Bird by Gloria Whelan

 

Crash by Jerry Spinelli

 

Or

Julie of the Wolves by Jean Craighead George

 

 

7^th Grade

Down River by Will Hobbs

 

The Midwife’s Apprentice by Karen Cushman

 

Or

Dicey’s Song by Cynthia Voight

 

8^th Grade

 

The Witch of Blackbird Pond – by Elizabeth George Spears

 

Tangerine by Edward Boor

 

Or

Living up the Street by Gary Soto

 

 

Homeless Bird Reading Response Questions

These must be written in complete sentences.

1. Koly ends up in a series of unfortunate situations. Who can be blamed for her misfortune? Her parents? The Mehtas? Society? Koly herself? Or, do all these factors work together to influence her life? Is it possible to root out one cause for Koly’s misfortune? Conversely, who can be credited for the good turn Koly’s life eventually takes?
2. In Koly’s society in India, life is highly defined from beginning to end. How does this compare to life in the United States? Can you say the same for all the different groups in the United States (i.e. religious, ethnic, regional)?
3. In India, young girls are expected to marry. How does this affect their families’ treatment of them? What do the families gain from a good marriage? How is Koly affected by this expectation to marry? How would your life be different if you were expected to marry in a few years?
4. When Koly becomes a widow, she takes on a specific, rigidly defined role in society. What does being a widow mean for Koly? In what ways does this role restrict her? In what ways does it set her free?
5. The ability to read takes on a great importance for Koly. Why is she originally kept from learning to read? Why does Sassur agree to teach her? What effect does it have on the rest of her life?
6. Discuss the different bird images that are used throughout the book. What traits do birds have that make them particularly appropriate for Koly’s story? Why does she relate to the homeless bird?
7. Like all the women in her family, Koly learns to embroider quilts and saris. As she explains, “All [the women’s] thoughts and dreams went into their work because it took so long, each sari became a part of our lives.” Discuss the ways in which Koly’s life and her embroidery become interwoven. Is there a way you express your thoughts and dreams about life, for example, through singing, participating in sports or writing?
8. Does Koly believe that Sass will find happiness? Why or why not? Why do you think that Koly was able to find happiness at the end of the book? What makes Koly different from Sass in this respect? What does it mean to be truly wealthy?
9. Animals become very important to Koly after she becomes a widow. What animals does she befriend while she is living with Mehtas? Why does she tame these various animals? Find examples of Koly making comparisons between animals and the people she meets. How do these examples fit with Koly’s past experiences and with her perceptions of herself?
10. Does Koly believe that Sass will find happiness? Why or why not? Why do you think that Koly was able to find happiness at the end of the book? What makes Koly different from Sass in this respect? What does it mean to be truly wealthy?

 

11. Koly grew up in a very rural area, but environments differ? Which does Koly prefer? What might have happened to Koly if her Sass had not left her at Vrindavan?
12. Who are Koly’s true friends? Were there people she should have been able to depend on but couldn’t?

 

Crash Reading Response Journal Assignments.

 

 Make a time line of Crash’s life –include important points and times that were important to him, both good and bad. Your timeline must have at least five important points.

 

 Create a newspaper headline and article that discusses the Penn Relays and how Penn Webb brought the school from last to second place. Your newspaper articles must be at least 250 words.

 

 What would be the advantages/disadvantages of having parents who are older? Why? Use the book and include examples.

 

 

Julie of the Wolves by Jean Craighead George

Part I Amaroq, the Wolf

Section I Beginning: Miyax pushed back the hood of her sealskin...

1. Why did Miyax put down her cooking pot and creep to the top of the dome-shaped frost heave?
2. Describe her predicament.
3. How did Miyax's father die?
4. Describe how Miyax was able to lure the Arctic ground squirrel to her hands.
5. What indication was there that the black wolf was the leader of the pack?
6. From whom had Miyax learned patience with the ways of nature?
7. Why do living things in the Arctic tend towards compactness?
8. Where had Miyax been living?
9. Explain what Miyax meant when she stated she was without a compass.
10. Why had Miyax chosen San Francisco as her destination?
11. Who believed that the wolves actually ate people?
12. Explain how the fox was different from the wolf.
13. How did the old Eskimo hunters define wealth?
14. Why did Miyax name the black pup, Kapu?
15. Explain how Miyax was accepted into the pack.

Section II Beginning: Miyax's eyelids fluttered...

1. Why did Miyax place her parka and fur pants in a bag made from whale bladder?
2. Why was it difficult for Miyax to know how long she had slept?
3. Why was it so easy to get lost on the tundra?
4. Explain how the wolf pups got food from the adults.
5. Describe how Miyax intended to use Jello and Kapu to help her survive?
6. Explain how Miyax would normally use caribou droppings.
7. Why was it important that Miyax not eat too fast or too much?
8. Why did Miyax become anxious when she noticed the cotton grasses were seeding out into white puffs?
9. Which caribou do the wolves select to hunt from the herd?
10. Why did Kapu suddenly become hostile towards Miyax?
11. Why did Miyax decide it would be wise to start snaring animals?
12. Provide two reasons why Miyax did not attempt to capture the Snowy Owl.
13. Why did Miyax use red markers as she made her way to the owl's nest?
14. Describe the "white flag" of surrender.
15. Why did fog present a potential danger to Miyax?
16. Why did Miyax draw a line in the soil immediately after the commercial plane had flown overhead?
17. What was causing the rhythmical beat which sounded like Eskimo drums?
18. Briefly describe the hunt witnessed by Miyax.
19. Describe how the wolves hunted the bull.
20. What part of the caribou did Miyax identify as the "candy" of her people?

 

 

Down River Reading Response Assignment

 

Select one of the characters from the novel and write 5 diary entries which might have been made by this character. What would this person’s handwriting look like? How frequently would this person make an entry in a journal? The entries should strive to mimic the “voice” of the student’s particular character. Each diary entries must be one page long.

 

The Midwife’s Apprentice Reading Response Questions

Ch. 1: What do the names Brat, Beatle, and the Midwife’s Apprentice tell you about this girl?

Ch. 2: What does Beetle’s interaction with the cat tell you about her past?

Ch. 3: Why doesn’t Jane Sharp want Beetle to learn her midwife’s skills?

Ch. 4: Why does Beetle stay when she is treated so poorly by everyone?

Ch. 5: Why does Beetle take on the name Alyce?

Ch. 6: Why does Will finally call Beetle Alyce?

Ch. 7: What leads the villagers to believe that the Devil has come to their village?

Ch. 8: Why does the birth of the calves cause Alyce to learn about singing and song?

Ch. 9: Why does Alyce finally smile?

Ch. 10: How has Alyce changed since the beginning of the novel?

Ch. 11: Why can’t Alyce cry?

Ch. 12: Why does Magister Resse teach the cat to read?

Ch. 13: Why is Alyce a failure?

Ch. 14: What brings Alyce back to the village?

Ch. 15: What point is the author trying to make when Alyce asks “was she even pretty under the dirt”?

Ch. 16: Why does Alyce finally laugh?

Ch. 17: Why does Jane Sharp let Alyce return as he apprentice?

 

Dicey’s Song by Cynthia Voight

 

Ch. 1: What is your impression of Dicey?

Ch. 2: How does Dicey fell about the children becoming less dependent on her?

Ch. 3: Describe all the positives and negatives for Gram when the Tillerman children come to live with her?

Ch. 4: What does Dicey mean when she says the last sentence in the chapter?

Ch. 5: How is Dicey trying to hold to her sister and brothers?

Ch. 6: Do you think James’s plan to keep Maybeth read will work? Why or why not?

Ch. 7a: What would you do if you were Dicey when Mr. Chappelle accuses her of plagerism?

Ch. 7b:Why does Gram such a big deal about Dicey learning to reach out?

Ch.8: How does reaching out change the family?

Ch. 9a: Why has Dicey only thought about things a day ahead?

Ch. 9b: What does Mina mean she says Dicey is “pretty strong meat”?

Ch. 10: Why does Gram send Dicey out to buy Christmas presents while she stays with Momma in the hospital?

Ch. 11: Why does Gram feel defeated?

Ch. 12a: How is the Old Paper Mulberry tree like a family?

Ch. 12b: Why do you think Gram decides to bring out the albums?

 

 

 

The Witch of Blackbird Pond by Elizabeth George Speare

 

Ch. 1: Why do Nat and John Holbrook warn Kit?

Ch. 2: Why does Kit feel so unwelcome in Wethersfield?

Ch. 3: How would you feel about your new home if you were Kit?

Ch. 4: Compare Kit’s life in Barbados to her cousins’ lives in Wethersfield.

Ch. 5: Why does Kit regret coming to Wethersfield?

Ch. 6: Why is Matthew Wood so offended by Rev. Bulkeley?

Ch. 7: Why does William Ashby appeal to Kit even though they have little in common?

Ch. 8: Why is Matthew Wood so hard and contrary?

Ch. 9: How does Hannah help Kit?

Ch. 10: Why does the town think Hannah is a witch?

Ch. 11: Why does Kit take risks with Prudence?

Ch. 12: Do you think Kit will obey her Uncle’s orders? Tell why or why not.

Ch. 13: What do you think John Holbrook will do?

Ch. 14: Why is Kit going to wait until the Dolphin is well on its way to Saybrook before she before she delivers the package to Hannah?

Ch. 15: Why is Kit proud of Uncle Matthew?

Ch. 16: Why does John Holbrook enlist in militia?
Ch. 17: Why are the townspeople after Hannah?

Ch. 18: What will happen to Kit?

Ch. 19: Why do Prudence and Nat risk everything to help Kit?

Ch. 20: What is Kit’s dream? Why is it necessary?

Ch. 21: Why are Kit and Nat a good match?

 

 

Tangerine by Edward Boor and Down the Street by Gary Soto

Which Character Is Coming to Dinner?

Invite one of the characters in your book to dinner, explaining why you chose that character above the others.  Next, write a note to your mother telling her that you have invited someone to dinner.  Describe the person to her; include five dos and five don’ts for her to follow so that your guest will feel at home.

Each essay must be one page in length.