Meadowcreek High School Summer Reading 2015-2016
Greetings from the MHS Language Arts Department
To prepare for the 2015-2016 academic year, the Language
Arts department requires all MHS students to read at least
one book over the summer vacation.
Benefits of summer reading
 Helps students to develop reading habits that allow
them read more deeply and widely;
 Helps students approach school year in a better
state of academic readiness;
 Keeps the mind active;
 Expands a person’s vocabulary;
 Develops strong literacy skills.
Parents and guardians are encouraged to pursue outside
reading with their children.
ALL STUDENTS MUST READ THE ASSIGNED
BOOK(S) ON THE LIST FOR THEIR CLASS.
Students will be assessed in the Fall on their required
reading.
The instructions and rubric for your written assignment
are on the back of this list by grade level. Please note that
AP literature students will have separate written
assignment requirements for their summer reading.
ESOL LA II
1. Esperanza Rising by Pam Munoz Ryan
2. Maniac McGee by Jerry Spinelli
3. Sideways Stories from Wayside School by Louis
Sachar
4. Walk Two Moons by Sharon Creech
5. The Cricket in Times Square by George Selden
6. Sadako and the Thousand Paper Cranes by Eleonor
Coerr
Freshman Language Arts
1. Monster by Walter Dean Myers
2. Before We Were Free by Julia Alvarez
3. Getting Away with Murder: The True Story of the
Emmett Till Case by Chris Crowe
4. The 7 Habits of Highly Effective Teens by Sean
Covey
5. The Civil Rights Movement: The Trial of the
Scottsboro Boys by David Aretha
Sophomore World Literature
1. The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho
2. Lord of the Flies by William Golding
3. Julius Caesar: Ruler of the Roman world by
Zachary Kent
4. Sugar Changed The World: A Story of Magic,
Spice, Slavery, Freedom, and Science by Marc
Aronson and Marina Budhos
5. The War to End All Wars: World War I
By Russell Freedman
Junior American Literature & Advanced Placement
English Language (Junior AP)
*Please note that students are REQUIRED to read both
books, Outliers and A Raisin In The Sun by Lorraine
Hansberry, during the summer. These books will serve as
an extension of students’ course work in first semester.*
1. Outliers: The Story of Success by Malcolm
Gladwell
2. A Raisin In The Sun by Lorraine Hansberry
Senior Language Arts
1) Grendel by John Gardner
2) The Girl of Fire and Thorns by Rae Carson
3) Freakonomics: A Rogue Economist Explores the Hidden
Side of Everything by Stephen J. Dubner and Steven D.
Levitt
4) The End of Poverty: Economic Possibilities for our Time
by Jefferey Suchs
Senior AP English Language (Malone – 5.217)
Mandatory: Outliers by Malcolm Gladwell
For EACH of your FIVE research topics:
Read two unbiased news articles
Read one graphic (cartoon, photo, illustration, table, etc.)
Read two opinion pieces, columns, or editorials
Senior AP English Literature (Gardner-4.212)
Mandatory: How to Read Literature Like a Professor by
Thomas C. Foster
This text is used as a springboard for deeper close
reading and literary analysis.
READERS REALLY is a county quiz bowl
competition. Students answer questions from this
predetermined list of high-interest, young-adult
books taken from the Georgia Peach Award
Nominee list. Those interested in being part of the
MHS Readers Rally Book Club and Team should
begin reading these books and contact Mrs.
Gardner in 4.212 or Ms. Lewis in 5.226.
Are You Experienced? - Jordan Sonnenblick
Caged WarriorSitomer, Alan L.
A Death-Struck Year - Lucier, Makiia
Everything Leads to You - LaCour, Nina
Fake ID
- Giles, Lamar
Faking Normal - Stevens, Courtney
Far From You - Sharpe, Tess
Free to Fall - Miller, Lauren
Girls Like Us - Giles, Gail
Hostage Three - Lake, Nick
I'll Give You the Sun - Nelson, Jandy
Jackaby - Ritter, William
Killer of Enemies - Bruchac, Joseph
Nearly Gone - Cosimano, Elle
Phoenix Island - Dixon, John
Say What You Will - McGovern, Cammie
Scar Boys - Vlahos, Len
We Were Liars - Lockhart, E.
What I Thought Was True - Fitzpatrick, Huntley
When I Was the Greatest - Reynolds, Jason
9th Grade Language Arts Summer Reading Assignment
Summer Reading- Reading Log
As you read your book of choice, you will keep a reading log. After each chapter, you will
record what chapter you read, along with a paragraph long response. Below, you will find a list of
sample response prompts. Use these as sentence starters to begin your response. You do not need to
use all of the sentence starters, nor do you need to do them in order. Make sure to do a response for
each chapter. You will use this log to help create a presentation on your book within the first few
weeks of school. Please be aware that this is for a grade. Happy reading!
Sample chapter response prompts:
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I really like/dislike this idea because...
I really don’t understand the part where…
This character reminds me of somebody I know because…
This character reminds me of myself because…
I think this setting is important/interesting because…
This scene reminds me of a similar scene in ___________because…
I like this/dislike this writing because
This scene is very realistic/unrealistic because…
I think the relationship between_____and________in interesting because…
This section makes me think about…
I like/dislike (character name) because…
This situation reminds me of a similar situation in my own life. What happened was…
If I were (name of character) at this point, I would…
I began to think of…
I love the way…
I can’t believe…
I wonder why…
I noticed…
I think…
I’m not sure…
My favorite character is…
I like the way the author…
I felt sad/happy/angry when…
I wish that…
I was surprised when…
It seems like…
9th Grade Summer Reading Assignment
Suggested Template:
The suggestion is that you do this on notebook paper. This is how each chapter should look:
Chapter: ______
Page numbers: _______
Response:
_______________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________
Then, skip a line and start the next chapter’s response.
Rubric:
This reading log will be turned in alongside the presentation assignment that you will receive upon starting school.
This rubric is just for the reading log. The presentation rubric will go along with that assignment once your receive it.
Content
Length
Organization
Grammar
4
Responses are
thoughtful and
demonstrate a
connection with the
text.
All responses meet the
minimum length of 1
paragraph.
3
Responses are
generally thoughtful
and contain some
connection with the
text.
Most responses meet
the minimum length of
1 paragraph.
2
Responses contain a
lot of plot summary
with little connection
to the text.
1
Responses consist of
nothing but plot
summary.
Few responses meet
the minimum length of
1 paragraph.
No responses meet the
minimum length of 1
paragraph.
Reading Log contains
all required elements
(chapter number,
pages read, and
response).
Reading Log is
missing only one of
the required elements
(chapter number,
pages read, and
response).
Entries contain some
grammatical or
spelling errors.
Student demonstrates
good effort at writing
well.
Reading Log is
missing only two of
the required elements
(chapter number,
pages read, and
response).
Entries contain many
grammatical or
spelling errors.
Student demonstrates
little effort at writing
well.
Reading Log is
missing more than two
of the required
elements (chapter
number, pages read,
and response).
Entries contain
extensive grammatical
or spelling errors.
Student demonstrates
no effort at writing
well.
Entries contain few
grammatical or
spelling errors.
Student demonstrates
great effort at writing
well.
ESOL II, 10th , & 12th Grade Language Arts Summer Reading Assignment
Name: __________________________
Book Title:________________________
DIRECTIONS
Directions: Select ONE assignment to complete based on your chosen book. Write your
selection along with your name at the top of your rubric.
1. Write a letter to the author explaining why
you liked or didn’t like the book. Make sure you
use specific examples from the novel.
2. Pretend you are a character in the book and
create a diary. You must have at least 10
entries, describing events that have occurred
in the story and your reaction to them.
3. Draw a picture of any character in your book
and write 10 facts that the reader learns about
him or her. Write in the form of a timeline.
4. Create a pictorial timeline highlighting 10
important events in the book. Include
descriptions with the picture. Be detailed and
creative!
5. Make flip book describing setting, plot,
theme, characters, favorite part, critique and an
illustration of an important scene. One element
on each flip page.
RUBRIC
Name: ___________________________
Selection: ______________________
Use the grading rubric to make sure you are on the right path!
Write your selections in at the top of the page.
1. Whether you like or dislike the book clearly
stated. 3 or more reasons given to support position.
Reasons supported by facts and correct spelling and
punctuation. Each reason should be a paragraph (5
sentence minimum) in length
3. Character is recognizable. 10 Traits clearly
describe the character. Include at least two
sentences per description. Timeline format is
correct.
5. Flipbook has at least 6 pages. One element/ is
present on each page. Detailed descriptions are
included (at least .
2. 10 entries present. Entries written in the voice of
the character. Entries address real events in the
novel. Each entry is worth 10 points.
4. Timeline has 10 events. Information about
events is detailed (at least two sentences
description per event). Timeline is neat and
attractive.
ESOL II, 10th , & 12th Grade Language Arts Summer Reading Assignment
Summer Reading Project Rubric:
Your Score
_______/4
_______/4
_______/4
B
3 Points
Understanding
Content
of text is
Accuracy and
partially clear
Relevance
and the
purpose of the
project is
somewhat
clear and
relevant.
Graphics are
Graphics are
Graphics:
creatively
somewhat
phots,
displayed.
creatively
pictures,
Wording is
displayed.
and/or
creative,
Wording is
wording
intricate, and
general and
detailed.
ordinary.
Looks
Attractiveness Looks really
thought out in somewhat
design, layout, thought out in
and neatness. design, layout,
and neatness.
Domain
A
4 Points
Understanding
of text is very
evident and
the purpose of
the project is
clear and
relevant.
C
2 Points
Understanding
of text is
unclear and
the purpose of
the project
isn’t clear and
relevant.
D
1 point
Understanding
of text is
unclear and
the purpose of
the project is
incorrect.
Graphics are
ordinary.
Wording is
minimal and
unstylistic.
Lacks creative
graphics and
wording.
Is acceptably
attractive
though it may
be a bit
messy.
Is messy or
poorly
designed;
seems time
was not taken
to complete.
11th Grade Language Arts Summer Reading Assignment
1) The 1st book you are going to read is Malcolm Gladwell’s book Outliers: The Story of Success. You can buy or
check out the book from your local library. Read and take notes (handwritten or typed) on all 10 chapters included in
the book. Each chapter is a different essay, covering a different topic that relates to success. Use the format below as an
example of what your work should look like when you turn it in. You need one entry per chapter.
Here’s an example of how to organize your notes. REMEMBER: You will have 10 of these by the end.
Chapter Title, and PAGE numbers: “Marita’s Bargain” 250-269.
Claim: (MAIN IDEA ABOUT SUCCESS MADE IN THE CHAPTER0: The author introduces
and supports the idea that ……………………………………………………………………
Evidence (What does the author use in this chapter to support his claim on success?):
historical data on how public schools were set up in the USA, quotes from historians and early
educators, ….………………….
Analysis (Here provide a quote from the
chapter that is on an interesting idea, fact, or
point that the author makes in the text. Be
sure to provide a PAGE NUMBER)
Your Response/ Comment (Explain what you
think about this, or why you liked this point)
p. 253: The pioneer of public education in
Massachusetts, Horace Mann, believed that
working students too hard would create a
“most pernicious influence upon character and
habits…..Not infrequently is health itself
destroyed by over-stimulating the mind.” In the
education journals of the day, there were
constant worries about overtaxing students or
blunting their natural abilities through too
much schoolwork.
I was surprised that Horace Mann should
express such a concern. After all, he was the
one who said that education was the great
equalizer and passionately defended the need
for widespread literacy. Also, he expressed this
opinion in the 1800s – the time of intellectual
giants in both Europe and America. How were
Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Franklin, and
John Adams “destroyed” by “over-stimulating
the mind”?
PART 2: A Raisin In The Sun Summer Reading Activity
2) The 2nd book you will be reading is the play A Raisin In The Sun by Lorraine Hansberry. Every 11th grade class will
be discussing this book when you return to school, so it needs to be read. As you read, you will be conducting a similar
task as Part 1, but you will be focusing on THEMES, rather than individual parts. You will have to create a page length
of notes dedicated to each of the following themes:
Education, Family, Work, Materialism,& Prejudice.
Use the following format for each page of notes:
THEME (Insert thematic topic): FAMILY
Evidence (Here provide a minimum of 3 quotes
from the play that connect to the theme you are
discussing. Provide the Act Numbers, Scene
Numbers, and the Line Numbers)
Analysis Your Response/ Comment
(Explain what you think each quote means
and how it applies to the theme)
RUTH (She finally laughs aloud at him and
holds out her arms to him and we see that it is
a way between them, very old and practiced.
He crosses to her and allows her to embrace
her warmly but keeps his face fixed with
masculine rigidity. She holds him back from
her presently and looks at him and runs her
fingers over the features of his face. With
utter gentleness – ) Act 1, Scene 1, Line 46
This line shows the deep bond family
members have for each other that goes way
beyond “liking” each other. Friends come
and go based upon how well one gets along
with each other, but a family is a family
through the good and the bad.
CLAIM: (Based upon your interpretation, write
one sentence that states what the text says about
the topic)
The play, A Raisin In The Sun, shows the strength
that family can provide to each other when facing
difficult and trying times.
SUMMER READING RUBRIC
Outliers Chapter
and Total Points
for Section
Chapter 1
Score:
5 4 3
Chapter 2
Score:
5 4 3
Chapter 3
Score:
5 4 3
Chapter 4
Score:
5 4 3
2 1
2 1
2 1
2 1
Requirements:
1.5 - 2 Satisfactory
1 – 1.4 Unsatisfactory
0 Off-Topic/Absent
Claim (MAX 1.5 Pts)
Support (MAX 1.5 pts)
Analysis (MAX 2 pts)
Claim (MAX 1.5 Pts)
Support (MAX 1.5 pts)
Analysis (MAX 2 pts)
Claim (MAX 1.5 Pts)
Support (MAX 1.5 pts)
Analysis (MAX 2 pts)
Claim (MAX 1.5 Pts)
Support (MAX 1.5 pts)
Analysis (MAX 2 pts)
Chapter 5
Score:
5 4 3 2 1
Chapter 6
Score:
5 4 3 2 1
Claim (MAX 1.5 Pts)
Support (MAX 1.5 pts)
Analysis (MAX 2 pts)
Claim (MAX 1.5 Pts)
Support (MAX 1.5 pts)
Analysis (MAX 2 pts)
Chapter7
Score:
5 4 3 2 1
Claim (MAX 1.5 Pts)
Support (MAX 1.5 pts)
Analysis (MAX 2 pts)
Chapter 8
Score:
5 4 3 2 1
Claim (MAX 1.5 Pts)
Support (MAX 1.5 pts)
Analysis (MAX 2 pts)
Chapter 9
Score:
5 4 3 2 1
Claim (MAX 1.5 Pts)
Support (MAX 1.5 pts)
Analysis (MAX 2 pts)
Chapter 10
Score:
5 4 3 2 1
Claim (MAX 1.5 Pts)
Support (MAX 1.5 pts)
Analysis (MAX 2 pts)
Part 3: A Raisin In The Sun
Thematic Topic Requirements
and Total Points 1- Satisfactory
for Section
.5 Unsatisfactory
0 Off-Topic or Absent
EDUCATION
# of Quotes: 1 2 3
10 8 6 4 2 # of Analysis: 1 2 3
Quality of Claim: 4 3 2
FAMILY
# of Quotes: 1 2 3
10 8 6 4 2 # of Analysis: 1 2 3
Quality of Claim: 4 3 2
WORK
# of Quotes: 1 2 3
10 8 6 4 2 # of Analysis: 1 2 3
Quality of Claim: 4 3 2
MATERIALISM
# of Quotes: 1 2 3
10 8 6 4 2 # of Analysis: 1 2 3
Quality of Claim: 4 3 2
PREJUDICE
# of Quotes: 1 2 3
10 8 6 4 2 # of Analysis: 1 2 3
Quality of Claim: 4 3 2
Outliers Total: ____________/ 50
ARITS Total: _____________/50
Total Grade: _______________/100
Comments:
1
1
1
1
1