8th Grade Summer Reading 2014

Libraries

Summer Reading for Rising 8th Graders

2014

Dear Rising Eighth Grader, I hope you have lots of time to read books this summer.

Reading for pleasure is one of the most important things you can do over the summer to be ready for school in the fall. You gain vocabulary, learn more about writing, and get better at reading, all while enjoying the books you read. If you aren’t enjoying the book you are reading, put it down, and find one that you like.

Please keep a reading log this summer. There is an example at the end of this booklet. This allows you to record what you read over the summer. You will turn in your reading log in English class during the first week of classes.

1) Please read a book for our book discussion groups. You should have chosen one already and know what group you are in. If you start reading your book, and don’t like it, you can choose to switch. Just email tvahlsing@abingtonfriends.net to work that out. This year’s choices are listed on the summer reading website.

2)We encourage you to read a book by our visiting author, Matt Phelan. A list and description of some of his books are in this booklet.

3) You should read a total of at least four books this summer. Following is a list of my suggestions if you need ideas.

Students will be able to check out books from the Faulkner Library for summer reading. Of course any books not returned in the fall will be billed.

If you have any questions at all, please don’t hesitate to contact me by email.

Sincerely, Toni Vahlsing Director of Libraries Abington Friends School (215) 576-3976 tvahlsing@abingtonfriends.net

Distinguished Summer Reading: For those of you who want an additional challenge, aim to become a “Distinguished Reader.” To earn this recognition, you must do the following: 1) Read 2400 pages during the summer months, including the books required above.

2) Total the pages that you read on your reading log.

Students who rise to this challenge will receive a notation on their official school transcript and will be recognized in other ways as well.

We highly suggest that you read a book by our visiting author, Matt Phelan, a graphic novelist and illustrator. If you can, read one of his books over the summer so that you are familiar with his work when he comes to visit:

Bluffton by Matt Phelan This gorgeous graphic novel follows two boys during the summers in Bluffton, Michigan when the Vaudvillian actors would come to have a vacation. It is a sweet story, well told.

The book is based on some real Vaudville actors, which you may want to learn more about after reading this.

Around the World by Matt Phelan This graphic novel retells and reinterprets three journeys around the world. One tale is of a former coal miner who travelled around the world on a bicycle. The second is the story of Nellie Bly, a female reporter who wanted to beat the record of going around the world in 80 days. The third story is about a man who sailed around the world by himself. In the third tale, it is difficult to tell what is real and what is inside the sailor’s head.

The Storm in the Barn by Matt Phelan A suspenseful tall tale set in the time of the Dust Bowl, Jack Clark faces the normal problems of most eleven year olds, plus the fact that it never rains. What is the face he sees in the barn? Is it real or is he seeing things?

Here are some of the books that Matt Phelan illustrated:

Did you know? If you participate in your public library’s summer reading program, you can get all sorts of free stuff? Some libraries enter teenagers into drawings for BIG prizes! Go to your public library. Another advantage of going... they will have many of these books and you won’t have to buy them!

Read at least three additional books of your choice: Here are some suggestions- you can read what you want to read. The point of summer reading is to enjoy it.

Shadows by Robin McKinley I adored this book. So much so that after I read it, I wanted to remain in the world of this book instead of reading another. The first sentence hooked me. The rest kept me reading until I totally fell in love with the characters, especially the ones you can’t see. If you’d like a little magic in your world, read this!

The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau-Banks by E. Lockhart On the first page, Frankie’s letter of confession will grab you. Frankie, a girl in a boarding school, infiltrates an exclusive club of boys. The club pulls pranks and Frankie becomes the leader without the boys suspecting. A very fun read.

Sorta Like a Rock Star by Matthew Quick Amber’s only home is the school bus her mother drives, Hello Yellow. Amber still manages to do lots of good in the world, befriending a loveable but strange cast of characters along the way. She teaches English to a church group of Korean women, befriends a Vietnam vet who writes poetry and works in a nursing home as well as dealing with the life of being a teenager who needs to find a place to take a shower. When tragedy strikes, Amber is sent into a downward spiral. The cast of characters that she has been helping turns around to help her.

All These Things I’ve Done by Gabrielle Zevin In New York in 2083, paper is hard to get. Caffeine and chocolate are illegal, but beer for minors is okay. (Why would you waste precious water making beer, anyway?) In the bathroom at school, you need to insert quarters to get water to wash your hands.

Anya Ballachine is the daughter of a criminal who used to head a chocolate company before he was shot and killed, making Anya an orphan. Anya has got a lot on her hands. Her grandmother is dying, her older brother is simple-minded, her boyfriend is a jerk and she has to take care of her little sister. Good action. Good premise, but scary, because you could see how NYC could end up this way.

I Am Number Four by Pittacus Lore Action-packed and difficult to put down. If you’ve ever wondered what it would be like to be an alien living in the United States, then this is the book for you. Then there is the mysterious author, Pitticus Lore, who is mentioned in the story, but we know nothing about.

This is the first in the series.

Marcelo in the Real World by Francisco X. Stork Marcelo has attended a special school for years, and he’d like to work with his beloved horses over the summer at his school. His father has other ideas. He wants him to get a job in the “real world”. Marcelo doesn’t think he can do it. Marcelo is charming, but his Asperger-like condition gets in the way of his new job in his father’s law firm mailroom.

He is faced with ethical dilemmas and the complications of making new friends.

Numbers by Rachel Ward Jem has the unique ability of seeing a number whenever she looks into another human’s eyes. It is the date of their death that she sees. When visiting the London Eye, she notices that everyone around here has today’s date in their eyes. She panics and runs away. Of course, there is a terrorist attack at the Eye, and now Jem is a suspect. She and her friend Spider are on the run.

Ender’s Game by Orson Scott Card Ender has been bred to be a leader in the war against the buggers, an alien race that wants to take over the earth. He is sent to battle school at a much younger age than usual and is smaller than the other officers in training. You will enjoy reading about training at this off-planet battle school. This gets the Toni award for the best ending ever.

As Easy as Falling off the Face of the Earth by Lynne Rae Perkins Ry gets stuck in the middle of Montana with no cell phone, no ride, no luggage, and only one shoe. His parents are in the Caribbean and his grandfather seems to be missing. I laughed out loud numerous times while reading this one. Great characters, even if they only are around for a cameo. I read it in one sitting.

Unwind by Neal Shusterman This is set in the future in the USA after a civil war over the issue of abortion. There has been a truce in which no fetuses or children may be killed until they turn 12 years old.

Then they may be “unwound” and all of their body parts given to someone who needs them. There are all sorts of unintended consequences from this compromise like an underground of children who escape from being unwound and babies being left on doorsteps. You’ll never know what to expect in this adventure.

The Skin I’m In by Sharon Flake Maleeka is relentlessly teased at school, not only for her good grades and her hand-made clothes, but for the darkness of her skin. When a new teacher arrives at school who has a white birthmark across her dark skin, Maleeka is sure there will be trouble for her, too.

She is surprised by Miss Saunders’ attitude. Can Maleeka be proud of the skin she’s in, like Miss Saunders?

The Adventures of Blue Avenger by Norma Howe On his 16th birthday, David legally changes his name to Blue Avenger. In addition, he sets a very odd assortment of goals for himself, like abolishing handguns as well as creating the perfect lemon meringue pie and winning the heart of the new girl in school.

Along the way, he lives up to his superhero name. This is one of those books where all of the pieces fit together in the end.

Does My Head Look Big in This? by Randa Abdel-Fattah Australian eleventh grader Amal is a devout Muslim who decides to wear the hijab, or head covering, full time. Get an interesting peek into life in an Australian private school through Amal’s eyes. Her sense of humor keeps it light, but the things she discovers about herself are anything but.

Anahita’s Woven Riddle by Meghan Nuttall Sayres Anahita lives in Persia in the early 20th century. She has been promised to the khan of her tribe, whose previous three wives have died mysteriously. Anahita convinces her father to let her weave a riddle into a rug. Whichever man can solve her riddle will be the one she will marry. Along the way, you’ll meet many of the men who will try to solve the riddle. Their stories are skillfully woven into Anahita’s. I was as confused as Anahita about which suitor to cheer for. (Anybody but the khan, anybody but the khan, anybody but the khan….) Childhood friend? Intriguing new suitor? Who will win? What will it mean for Anahita’s life?

Dairy Queen by Catherine Gilbert Murdock D.J. Schwenks’ family doesn’t talk much. They don’t talk about the fact that D.J. is doing most of the work on the family’s dairy farm since her dad got hurt and her older brothers went off to college. They don’t talk about the fact the D.J. is training (and crushing on) the rival team’s quarterback. When D.J. tries out for her high school’s football team, that gets everyone talking.

Along for the Ride by Sarah Dessen Auden decides to escape her control-freak mom by spending the summer with her dad, his new wife, and their baby. Along the way she helps manage her step-mother’s store, learns to ride a bike, and has a complicated romance.

Bloody Jack by L.A. Meyer This is the first in a series that I compare to potato chips. You can’t read just one. I have to know what happens next to this orphan girl who escapes every possible scrape by crossdressing as a boy, fighting, or using her considerable wits and luck. Most of her escapades happen at sea on various kinds of sailing vessels. Lots of fun.

Someone Like Summer by M.E. Kerr Tall, blue-eyed Annabel is in love with Esteban, who turns out to be an undocumented worker from Columbia. Racial tensions and prejudices run wild in the town. Annabel’s father, who will employ undocumented workers because he can pay them less, won’t let his daughter date one. Esteban’s brother calls Annabel flour-face and thinks all white girls are loose. This is an intense romance with today’s issues.

Runaway by Wendelin Van Draanen Holly has run away from an abusive foster family. She writes in a journal as she struggles every day to find food, shelter, and warmth. We follow her five month long journey to Los Angeles. After reading this book, you will never look at the issue of homelessness in the same way.

The Last Shot: A Final Four Mystery by John Feinstein Two students win a journalism contest and win a trip to the Final Four in New Orleans.

When 8th graders Susan and Thomas are touring the Superdome, they overhear someone being blackmailed into deliberately losing a game. Basketball, journalism, and action are all packed into this awesome mystery.

Ironman by Chris Crutcher Bo Brewster has been placed in Anger Management class, and what a cast of characters he meets there. Bo attempts to compete in an Ironman competition, trying to win in three sports. If you like this one, you will want to read all of Crutcher’s other books.

5th Wave by Rick Yancey Fans of dystopian books will like this, even though it is slightly more sci-fi. An alien invasion is beginning, but no one knows what the aliens look like. Plot twists galore.

Great action, but great psychological drama, too!

Murder on the Orient Express by Agatha Christie Agatha Christie is the master of mystery telling. This mystery seems impossible to solve even though it is about a murder that has taken place on a train. There aren’t that many suspects and they are all stuck on the train. Luckily, the brilliant detective Hercules Poirot is on board, too. You will be amazed at the solution to this one.

Stupid Fast by Geoff Herbach Often laugh-out-loud funny, this book has some sports and a little romance but is mostly about a messed up boy from a messed up family. Felton is fast and big. He discovers that moving is the best way to make life seem okay, so he bikes and he runs. He’s not counting on being recruited for football.

Beauty Shop for Rent by Laura Bowers Abbey and her great-grandmother have been running a beauty shop together, but Granny Po wants to retire, renting out her shop. When Gena arrives and turns it into a day spa, at first Abbey is reluctant, but then starts earning more money. Abbey’s mom, who has a history of substance abuse, shows up and Abbey gives her mom her hard-earned savings so they can get a house and live together. Of course, things don’t turn out the way you’d want them to.

Monster by Walter Dean Myers Was Steve Harmon really the lookout for a convenience store robbery, or was he just in the wrong place at the wrong time? Now he’s in prison, on trial for murder because the store owner was killed. Steve is an aspiring film-maker and he tells his story in a screenplay format.

Mismatch by Lensey Namioka When Sue, a Chinese American, and Andy, a Japanese American meet in orchestra and start dating, the rest of the orchestra members think it is a perfect match. Are all Asians the same? At home, it’s a different matter. Sue’s grandmother won’t forgive the Japanese for invading China and Andy’s father has prejudices about the “dirty back-water” Chinese.

Birthmarked by Caragh M. O’Brien A dystopian novel about a walled city and the area that surrounds it. Caia is a mid-wife outside the wall. There are rules about the babies all midwives deliver, though Caia has been taught a special marking system that proves to be the key to the survival of her people.

A great historical fiction set in Victorian London. “The Agency” recognizes that women are generally thought to be flighty, stupid, infirm or delicate, and generally unable to contribute much to any activity requiring any sense, especially those who are servants. That makes them the perfect choice for a spy/detective, since they are pretty much invisible anyway. There are familiar elements to those who know the time period, with some twists.

A romantic interest shows up, but it doesn’t overpower the story.

This is a sample reading log. You can turn this in, or make your own.

Reading Log Name_________________ Title

Author

# pages

Date completed

Total pages

To sum up: 1)Read the book for your discussion group.

2)Read at least three other books of your choice.

3)Keep a reading log.

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