Adventure, Exploration & Escape:
8th GRADE SUMMER READING 2021
included here:
- Summer Reading Book Fair Information
- Rising 8th Grade English
- Rising 8th Grade LPA English
SUMMER READING BOOK FAIR HAS GONE VIRTUAL
Kindle Purchase Instructions
Rising 8th Grade
Welcome to Summer, dear readers!
Each middle schooler will read a total of three (3) books this summer. All reading and assignments should be completed by the first day of school.
Most books are available in several formats, including paperback, audio , and eBook. No matter which versions you choose, you must bring a print or digital copy of your books with you to class in August.
1. Required novel and annotation assignment (all 8th graders must read this book).
2. Visiting Author Book (choose to read ONE of the books below). There is no written assignment for this book. Please read and enjoy, and be prepared to discuss and to complete assignments on this book in class this August.
3. 8th grade choice book (choose to read ONE of the books below). There is no written assignment for this book. Please read and enjoy, and be prepared to discuss and to complete assignments on this book in class this August.
Required Novel
The Running Dream by Wendelin Van Draanen
When a school bus accident leaves sixteen-year-old Jessica an amputee, she returns to school with a prosthetic limb and her track team finds a wonderful way to help rekindle her dream of running again.
8TH GRADE ANNOTATION ASSIGNMENT
Visiting Author, Jason Reynolds list (choose 1)
Ghost, a naturally talented runner and troublemaker, is recruited for an elite middle school track team. He must stay on track, literally and figuratively, to reach his full potential. Ghost wants to be the fastest sprinter on his elite middle school track team, but his past is slowing him down. **If you have previously read Ghost in Mr. Fishman's class, please choose another title.
A newbie to the track team, Patina must learn to rely on her teammates as she tries to outrun her personal demons. Patina, or Patty, runs like a flash. As the stress builds up, it's building up a pretty bad attitude as well. Coach won't tolerate bad attitude. No day, no way. And now he wants Patty to run relay...where you have to depend on other people. How's she going to do that?
Sunny tries to shine despite his troubled past. Sunny is just that - sunny. Always ready with a goofy smile and something nice to say, Sunny is the chillest dude on the Defenders team. But Sunny's life hasn't always been sunbeamy-bright. It seems the only thing Sunny can do right in his dad's eyes is win first place ribbons, just like his mom did. But Sunny doesn't like running, never has. So he stops. Right in the middle of a race. Can Sunny stay on the track team with his only friends and not run?
Lu must learn to leave his ego on the sidelines if he wants to finally connect with others. He is your quintessential pretty boy athlete, complete with fancy cleats, sunglasses, and a lot of attitude. Lu is crazy talented. Because he’s albino his parents got him involved in sports to help with his confidence. But it sort of backfired - now Lu has confidence to spare, and the swagger hasn’t earned him any friends. Will his new teammates be the first kids to crack through his armor and see more to him than the cloak of peacock that hides his lack of color?
This story was going to begin like all the best stories. With a school bus falling from the sky. But no one saw it happen. They were all too busy—
Talking about boogers.
Stealing pocket change.
Skateboarding.
Wiping out.
Braving up.
Executing complicated handshakes.
Planning an escape.
Making jokes.
Lotioning up.
Finding comfort.
But mostly, too busy walking home.
This book has ten tales (one per block) about what happens after the dismissal bell rings, and brilliantly weaves them into one wickedly funny, piercingly poignant look at the detours we face on the walk home, and in life.
Choice List (choose one)
To Night Owl from Dogfish by Holly Goldberg Sloan & Meg Wolitzer
Unhappy about being sent to the same summer camp after their fathers start dating, Bett and Avery, eleven, eventually begin scheming to get the couple back together after a break-up. Now that they can't imagine life without each other, will the two girls figure out a way to be a family? Told entirely through emails.
The Only Road by Alexandra Diaz
Jaime is sitting on his bed drawing when he hears a scream. Instantly, he knows: Miguel, his cousin and best friend, is dead. Everyone in Jaime's small town in Guatemala knows someone who has been killed by the Alphas, a powerful gang that's known for violence and drug trafficking. Anyone who refuses to work for them is hurt or killed - like Miguel. With Miguel gone, Jaime fears that he is next. There's only one choice: accompanied by his cousin Ángela, Jaime must flee his home to live with his older brother in New Mexico. This book is inspired by true events.
House Arrest by K.A. Holt
Timothy is a good kid who did a bad thing. Now he's under house arrest for a whole year. He has to check in weekly with a probation officer and a therapist, keep a journal, and stay out of trouble. But when he must take drastic measures to help his struggling family, staying out of trouble proves more difficult than Timothy ever thought it would be. A touching and funny novel written in verse.
Fast Break by Mike Lupica
Forced to live on his own after his mom dies, 12-year-old Jayson does whatever it takes to get by. He manages to get away with his deception until the day he gets caught stealing a new pair of basketball sneakers. Game over.
Since You’ve Been Gone by Morgan Matson
Before Sloane, Emily didn’t go to parties, she barely talked to guys, and she didn’t do anything crazy. Enter Sloane, social tornado and the best kind of best friend—someone who yanks you out of your shell. But right before what should have been an epic summer, Sloane just…disappears. She left a random to-do list with thirteen bizarre tasks that Emily would never try. But what if they can lead her to Sloane?
Legend (Legend series, bk. 1) by Marie Lu
In a dark future, when North America has split into two warring nations, fifteen-year-olds Day, a famous criminal, and prodigy June, the brilliant soldier hired to capture him, discover that they have a common enemy.
Rising 8th Grade LPA
Welcome to Summer, dear readers!
Each LPA middle schooler will read a total of two (2) books this summer. All reading and assignments (see below) should be completed by the first day of school.
Most books are available in several formats, including paperback, audio , and eBook. No matter which versions you choose, you must bring a print or digital copy of your books with you to class in August.
1. 8th grade choice book and written assignment (choose ONE of the books below).
2. Visiting Author Book and assignment (choose ONE of the books below).
Choice List (choose one)
To Night Owl from Dogfish by Holly Goldberg Sloan & Meg Wolitzer
Unhappy about being sent to the same summer camp after their fathers start dating, Bett and Avery, eleven, eventually begin scheming to get the couple back together after a break-up. Now that they can't imagine life without each other, will the two girls figure out a way to be a family? Told entirely through emails.
All Fall Down (Embassy Row series, bk. 1) by Ally Carter
There are many powerful people along Embassy Row who want Grace to block out all her unpretty thoughts. But Grace will not stop until she finds out who killed her mother and makes the killer pay.
House Arrest by K.A. Holt
Timothy is a good kid who did a bad thing. Now he's under house arrest for a whole year. He has to check in weekly with a probation officer and a therapist, keep a journal, and stay out of trouble. But when he must take drastic measures to help his struggling family, staying out of trouble proves more difficult than Timothy ever thought it would be. A touching and funny novel written in verse.
Legend (Legend series, bk. 1) by Marie Lu
In a dark future, when North America has split into two warring nations, fifteen-year-olds Day, a famous criminal, and prodigy June, the brilliant soldier hired to capture him, discover that they have a common enemy.
Ungifted (Ungifted series, bk. 1) by Gordon Korman
Due to an administrative mix-up, troublemaker Donovan Curtis is sent to the Academy of Scholastic Distinction, a special program for gifted and talented students, after pulling a major prank at middle school.
Visiting Author, Jason Reynolds List (choose one)
Ghost, a naturally talented runner and troublemaker, is recruited for an elite middle school track team. He must stay on track, literally and figuratively, to reach his full potential. Ghost wants to be the fastest sprinter on his elite middle school track team, but his past is slowing him down.
A newbie to the track team, Patina must learn to rely on her teammates as she tries to outrun her personal demons. Patina, or Patty, runs like a flash. As the stress builds up, it's building up a pretty bad attitude as well. Coach won't tolerate bad attitude. No day, no way. And now he wants Patty to run relay...where you have to depend on other people. How's she going to do that?
Sunny tries to shine despite his troubled past. Sunny is just that - sunny. Always ready with a goofy smile and something nice to say, Sunny is the chillest dude on the Defenders team. But Sunny's life hasn't always been sunbeamy-bright. It seems the only thing Sunny can do right in his dad's eyes is win first place ribbons, just like his mom did. But Sunny doesn't like running, never has. So he stops. Right in the middle of a race. Can Sunny stay on the track team with his only friends and not run?
Lu must learn to leave his ego on the sidelines if he wants to finally connect with others. He is your quintessential pretty boy athlete, complete with fancy cleats, sunglasses, and a lot of attitude. Lu is crazy talented. Because he’s albino his parents got him involved in sports to help with his confidence. But it sort of backfired - now Lu has confidence to spare, and the swagger hasn’t earned him any friends. Will his new teammates be the first kids to crack through his armor and see more to him than the cloak of peacock that hides his lack of color?
This story was going to begin like all the best stories. With a school bus falling from the sky. But no one saw it happen. They were all too busy—
Talking about boogers.
Stealing pocket change.
Skateboarding.
Wiping out.
Braving up.
Executing complicated handshakes.
Planning an escape.
Making jokes.
Lotioning up.
Finding comfort.
But mostly, too busy walking home.
This book has ten tales (one per block) about what happens after the dismissal bell rings, and brilliantly weaves them into one wickedly funny, piercingly poignant look at the detours we face on the walk home, and in life.
8th grade LPA assignments (2)
(click below):