Anthony Scotto Director of Curriculum & Instruction. James Barbiere Joseph Bond Joanne Long District Supervisor of Elementary Education K-5

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1 BARNEGAT TOWNSHIP SCHOOL DISTRICT OFFICE OF CURRICULUM & INSTRUCTION 200 BENGAL BOULEVARD BARNEGAT, NEW JERSEY (609) EXT FAX: (609) Anthony Scotto Director of Curriculum & Instruction James Barbiere Joseph Bond Joanne Long District Supervisor of Elementary Education K-5 District Supervisor of Language Arts/Social Studies 6-12 Dear ROBMS Students and Parents/Guardians: May, 2017 District Supervisor of Mathematics/Science 6-12 As a core academic skill, literacy represents an integral part of the foundation for student achievement. With this in mind, students enrolled at Brackman Middle School are encouraged to independently read numerous fiction and nonfiction texts this summer. Additionally, all rising 6 th - 8 th graders will be required to complete the appropriate summer reading assignment described below. These books are readily available from many sources, including the Barnegat Branch of the Ocean County Library or retailers such as Amazon and Barnes & Noble. The novels listed below touch on a diverse variety of subject matters, including themes of gender, inclusion, and acceptance. While some texts feature the coming-of-age issues facing pre-adolescents, other books have completely different topics, such as the fantasy world of an underground society. Given this wide assortment of choices, students are encouraged to take the time and select a book that appeals to their particular interests. It is worth noting that, regardless of the topic, all of the books in the summer reading list have received recognition and critical acclaim for being high-interest, quality literature. All students entering grades 6-8 will be expected to complete the graphic organizers on pages #3-6 as they read their selection. Additionally, 8 th grade students (only) should also complete the task on page #7. These graphic organizers will assist students with an assigned writing prompt (Minor Assessment) during the first week of school. Summer reading provides an opportunity for students to enrich their knowledge and find gratification in quality literature. We hope your student enjoys the summer reading and enters Brackman Middle School ready for a great year! Respectfully, Jim Barbiere Jim Barbiere District Supervisor of Language Arts & Social Studies, 6-12 cc: Anthony Scotto, Director of Curriculum and Instruction Brian Latwis, Director of Special Education All Middle School and Elementary Administrators Barnegat Branch of the Ocean County Library O u r c o l l e c t i v e m i s s i o n i s t o n u r t u r e a n d e d u c a t e o u r c h i l d r e n i n a c c o r d a n c e w i t h a l l c u r r i c u l u m s t a n d a r d s t o p r e p a r e t h e m f o r r e s p o n s i b l e c i t i z e n s h i p a n d s u c c e s s i n l i f e.

2 RUSSELL O. BRACKMAN MIDDLE SCHOOL SUMMER READING SELECTIONS STUDENTS ENTERING GRADES 6 8 GRADE SIX GRADE SEVEN GRADE EIGHT Dead End in Norvelt, by Jack Gantos Firegirl, by Tony Abbott Rules, by Cynthia Lord Rain Reign, by Ann Martin Esperanza Rising, by Pam Munoz Ryan Wonder, by R.J. Palacio The Maze Runner, by James Dashner Al Capone Does My Shirts, by Gennifer Choldenko Bomb: The Race to Build and Steal the World s Most Powerful Weapon, by Steve Sheinkin Keeping the Moon, by Sarah Dessen Gregor the Overlander, by Suzanne Collins Crossover, by Kwame Alexander Masterminds, by Gordon Korman A Time to Dance, by Padma Venkatraman Counting by 7s, by Holly Goldberg Sloan A Night Divided, by Jennifer Nielsen Better Nate than Ever, by Tim Federle P a g e 2

3 Name Parent/Guardian Signature: Novel Title: Author: ROBMS 6 th 8 th Grade Summer Reading Assignment: Plot Diagram Directions: Fill in the plot diagram below with specific details and events from your chosen novel. Be specific! Also, please use additional paper, as necessary. Climax: The most exciting/intense moment in the novel. Rising Action: The events that lead up to the most exciting/important event. Setting: The main time/location of where the story takes place. Main Characters: Falling Action: The actions after the climax that lead to the ending. Resolution: The ending of the story. P a g e 3

4 SAMPLE Novel Title: The Hunger Games Author: Suzanne Collins Climax: The most exciting moment in the novel. Katniss and Peeta have beaten all of the other tributes in the arena and are faced with the challenge of fighting each other. They decide they would rather threaten suicide than fight one another. Right before they decide to eat the poisonous berries, the government changes the rules and declares them both winners. Rising Action: The actions that lead up to the most exciting/important event. Katniss volunteers to take her sister s place in the Hunger Games. She begins to learn strategies for the arena and becomes overwhelmed with the concept of the games. Katniss and Peeta find allies in the games to help them. Falling Action: The actions after the climax that lead to the ending. Even though she and Peeta won the Hunger Games, Katniss must try to satisfy the Capitol, which is angry with Katniss for threatening suicide and forcing a decision they didn t like. Setting: The main location of where the story takes place. Panem set in the future Main Characters: Katniss Everdeen, Peeta Mellark, Haymitch Abernathy, Effie Trinket, Gale, Prim Everdeen, President Snow Resolution: The ending of the story. Katniss and Peeta are stepping out of the train onto the platform in District 12. To avoid punishment from the Capitol for their act of rebellion, they are holding hands for the cameras one last time. Peeta now knows that Katniss doesn't really love him. Katniss now knows that Peeta really loves her. P a g e 4

5 ROBMS 6 th 8 th Grade Summer Reading Assignment Character Analysis Directions: Choose one character from your novel and give one trait to describe that character. Then, find three examples of text evidence (lines copied directly from the novel) that show your given trait. Character: Trait to describe character: List three examples from the novel that show the character s trait: P a g e 5

6 ROBMS 6 th 8 th Grade Summer Reading Assignment Character Analysis SAMPLE Directions: Choose one character from your novel and give one trait to describe that character. Then, find three examples of text evidence (lines copied directly from the novel) that show your given trait. Character: Katniss Everdeen Trait to describe character: Protective List three examples from the novel that show the character s trait: 1. I protect Prim in every way I can. (pg. 15) 2. Prim! I don t need to shove through the crowd. The other kids make way immediately allowing me a straight path to the stage. I reach her just as she is about to mount the steps. With one sweep of my arm, I push her behind me. I volunteer! I gasp. I volunteer as tribute! (pg. 23) 3. I spend the night half-sitting, half-lying next to Peeta, refreshing the bandage, and trying not to dwell on the fact that by teaming up with him, I ve made myself far more vulnerable than when I was alone. Tethered to the ground, on guard, with a very sick person to take care of. But I knew he was injured. And still I came after him. (pg. 259) P a g e 6

7 ROBMS 8 th Grade *ONLY* Summer Reading Assignment Theme Analysis Directions: Identify and describe one theme from your novel. (Remember, a theme is always more than just a single word.) Then, find three examples of text evidence that demonstrate this theme. Novel: Theme: List three examples from the text that best show the novel s theme: P a g e 7