MVMMS ENGLISH SUMMER READING LIST 2009
Students Entering Grade 7

You are required to read at least THREE books.

  You must read: Cracker! The Best Dog in Vietnam, by Cynthia Kadohata

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Read any two books from the following list.

(You are encouraged to read the others.)

  Drums, Girls, and Dangerous Pie, by Jordon Sonnenblick

"Thirteen-year-old Steven has a totally normal life: he plays drums in the All-Star Jazz band, has a crush on the hottest girl in the school, and is constantly annoyed by his five-year-old brother, Jeffrey." But sometime between breakfast and dinner, Steven's world is turned upside down." - from the publisher

  Touching Spirit Bear, by Ben Mikaelsen  

"Cole Matthews has always been in trouble and has had so many 'last chances' that he figures he knows how to work the juvenile justice system . . . That is until he agrees to Circle Justice, a Native American tradition that attempts to heal the victim, the offender, and the community." – School Library Journal

  The Skin I'm In, by Sharon Flake

"Maleeka Madison has problems fitting in with others at her school. Her hair is too nappy, her skin is too dark, her grades are too good, her clothes are too weird, and her teachers are too fond of her." – Terrell Young

  The Sacrifice, by Kathleen Benner Duble 

Two young girls are accused of witchcraft in Andover, Massachusetts, in 1692 and await trial in a miserable prison while their mother desperately searches for some way to free them. Against the backdrop of witchcraft hysteria, friend turns against friend, neighbor against neighbor.

  Black Duck, by Janet Taylor Lisle

In the Spring of 1929, Reuben and Jeddy find a dead body washed up on a Rhode Island beach. When the body vanishes before they can summon the police, the boys are drawn into the world of smuggling and rival bootleg gangs spawned by prohibition.

  The Graveyard Book, by Neil Gaiman

"Nobody Owens, known to his friends as Bod, is a normal boy. He would be completely normal if he didn't live in a sprawling graveyard, being raised and educated by ghosts, with a solitary guardian who belongs to neither the world of the living nor of the dead. There are dangers and adventures in the graveyard for a boy. But if Bod leaves the graveyard, then he will come under attack from the man Jack—who has already killed Bod's family . . ." – from the publisher

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Written Requirements

For the three required books you read from the MVMMS Summer Reading List, take notes on each of the items listed below. These notes should be either typed or neatly handwritten. Make sure your notes are complete but brief. Use an outline or bulleted format. Remember these are notes, NOT a report or essay.

o       Main Characters. Using adjectives, describe the characters' personalities. Also explain important relationships/friendships.

o       Setting  (time and place) of the book.

o       Conflicts/problems. Describe the key obstacles the main character(s) must overcome.

o       Conflict resolution. Describe how each of the key obstacles was resolved.

o       Most important lesson. Explain the main lesson the character(s) learn and how it is learned.

o       Favorite quote or passage. Record the page number of your favorite quote or passage. Explain why it is important to you and/or story.

o       Recommendation. Briefly explain why you would or would not recommend this book to a friend.

Summer Reading Expectations

Take notes on each book you read. Upon your first day of school, you will submit your notes. You will use these notes as pre-writing for a formal writing assignment that your English teacher will assess.

Required Signatures. A parent/guardian's signature must appear on each set of notes. Make sure your name appears on all sets of notes as well.

       Posted by Principal Brow - 05/26/09