Jackson Christian Middle School
8th Grade Summer Reading Requirements 2009

        Summer is the season for a variety of activities, for fun and play, for relaxation and recreation, and for restoring not only our bodies but also our minds. We feel that summer reading is a vital part of this time of growth, learning, and revitalization. The purposes of our summer reading program for our students are to promote continuous reading habits, to encourage reading for pleasure, and to establish a springboard for class discussions in the fall. Our goal is to develop independent readers who will continue lifelong reading habits because they find personal value in reading and sharing good books. With these thoughts in mind, students are asked to read two books over the summer months – one required book and one that they choose from an approved list.
        The students’ required reading will become an integral part of their language arts studies at the beginning of the school year. Since class discussions and assessments in August will focus on this text, we expect students to comprehend and retain information from the reading. Therefore, it is suggested that the required book be read during the last few weeks of summer, right before school begins. We strongly suggest that students pay particular attention to setting, characters, plot, and theme. An active reading strategy such as writing notes on each chapter will help make it easier to remember and convey information regarding the book when school begins. (Students will not do a project for the required reading.)

Required Reading:

8^th – The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle by Avi
**NOTE: This book will not count as one of your three required AR tests for the first nine weeks.  It will count as a Literature Test grade.  We will use this book to study literary elements during the first week and a half of school.  Be ready to take a general knowledge test over this book on Thursday, August 6, the first full day of school.

Dear Students,

In addition to the required book, each student must read one book from the approved list below. Each student is required to complete a three to four sentence summary of each chapter for the additional book you read. This should be done in a composition notebook.  It will be graded and recorded, so please use your neatest handwriting.  The book you choose from this list can also be counted as one of your three required AR tests for the first nine weeks.  Make sure you choose a book you have not already read.  Remember, the notes that you take over each chapter will serve as a review for you before taking the AR test.  The better your notes, the better your score will be.  Have a great summer!  I look forward to having each of you in the fall!

Sincerely,
Mrs. Yenawine

8th Grade Summer Reading List

Choose one of the following to read in addition to the required.

Anastasia Krupnik by Lois Lowry

The Borning Room by Paul Fleishman

The Devil's Arithmetic by Jane Yolen

Dragon Song by Anne McCaffrey

The Face on the Milk Carton by Caroline B. Cooney

The Hobbit by J. R. R. Tolkien

House of Dies Drear by Virginia Hamilton

How Angel Peterson Got His Name by Gary Paulsen

Rifle by Gary Paulsen

The Westing Game by Ellen Raskin