Dear Parents and Students,

For seven summers now, students entering grades six through eight in Swansea have been participating in a summer reading program. Believe it or not, it’s time, once again, to work on summer reading. The topic for this year’s program is Finding the Meaning of Life or Searching for What’s Important in Life. Each student is required to choose two novels from the attached lists. We have tried to include texts which appeal to a variety of interests and a range of abilities. When students return to school in August, they should be prepared to participate in discussions, activities, and assessments centered around the texts. In order to prepare themselves, students are encouraged to take notes on the novels as they read. Notes should focus on characters, setting, conflicts, and other major plot events.

Research points to summer reading programs as a way to maintain reading and analytical skills over the summer to prevent what some experts call the “summer slump” or the “summer slide.”

The English department has made several local booksellers aware of our lists, so the books should be easily available. In addition, there are a number of copies available through the SAILS library network for all titles. Of course, there’s always the Internet as a source for all your literature needs. If you are unable to obtain the books through these outlets, please contact the junior high. We’d be glad to help you.

We hope that you enjoy your reading selections. All of the books on the list offer ample opportunities for some lively discussions. Happy reading!

Sincerely,

The Case Junior High ELA Staff

v Pace yourself.

o Don’t rush, and don’t wait until the last minute.

v Interact with the text.

o Ask questions, write summaries, and make lists.

v Look online to see what other kids are saying about the book.

o Sometimes publishing companies offer suggestions for discussion or writing about the book.

v Discuss the book.

o Meet friends for a book talk and walk.

o Analyze over a scoop of your favorite ice cream or a slice of watermelon.

Case Jr. High School

Summer Reading 2008

Theme: Searching for the meaning of life or discovering what is really important

Students entering grade 6

Peak by Ronald Smith

Becoming Naomi Leon by Pam Munoz Ryan

Bud, Not Buddy by Christopher Paul Curtis

Students entering grade 7

Rules by Cynthia Lord

Miracle on 49^th Street by Mike Lupica

Jeremy Fink and the Meaning of Life by Wendy Mass

Kira-Kira by Cynthia Kadohata

Students entering grade 8

Tangerine by Edward Bloor

The Boy Who Lost His Face by Louis Sachar

Stargirl by Jerry Spinelli

Select two of the above titles from the appropriate list to read and analyze before the start of the 2008-2009 school year.