ising CHS 9th Graders Summer Reading Packet - Cobb County ...

Campbell High School English Summer Required Reading 2013/14Directions: Parents and students should choose ONE book together. However, students in an Honors orAP literature course should choose TWO books. Be sure to find a book suited to your student’s needs,interest, and maturity level. Students should select a book to which their parents have no objection,and is high school appropriate in subject matter and rigor. You may find all books in the library or maypurchase one from a bookstore.Disclaimer: Students should read books that TOTAL at least 140 pages. Students should complete theirown work, neither sharing ideas nor working with another on any element of this project.Philosophy: The goals of summer reading for Cobb County are to improve literacy and to promotelifelong reading. As students grow and mature, they need to continually practice their reading skills.While early reading skills are basic, when students grow older, they need selections that stimulate theirimaginations, improve their thinking skills, and enhance their vocabulary development. The lists arebased on recommendations from classroom teachers, librarians, and students, and support theCommon Core Standards for English.You may find web sources like Amazon.com helpful in making your reading selection(s). At the beginningof the semester in which you have your English class, you will have an opportunity to discuss and sharethe selection(s) read with your teacher and classmates. See the attached assignment sheet for specifics.Assessment: The reading should be completed by August 29, 2013 for first semester English classes, andJanuary 27, 2014 for second semester English classes. You must complete four tasks on the AssignmentCheck List. Please see the attached list of assessments that may be completed before the due date.Resources for choosing appropriate titles: (also see attached list of teacher recommended titles):100 Best Novels from the Modern Libraryhttp://www.randomhouse.com/modernlibrary/100bestnovels.html101 Great Books Recommended for College-Bound Readers by the College Boardhttp://www.collegeboard.com/student/plan/boost-your-skills/23628.htmlYoung Adult Library Services Association lists of “Best Books for Young Adults,” “Outstanding Books forthe College Bound,” “Quick Picks for Reluctant Young Adult Readers,” etc.http://www.ala.org/ala/yalsa/booklistsawards/booklistsbook.cfmReminder: While providing readers a choice, we remind you to check the Lexile score of the novel toensure that you enjoy something on an appropriate reading level. Any bookstore salesperson or mediaspecialist may help you with this. Additionally, you may check the title on http://www.lexile.com. Thisscore denotes reading ability and text difficulty on a scale, allowing readers to select titles that meet andchallenge a reader’s unique abilities and interests.

Campbell High School Recommended Summer Reading BooksThe reading should be completed by August 29, 2013 for first semester English classes, and January 27,2014 for second semester English classes.Book ListNINTH LITERATURE & HONORS LITERATURENinth Literature students will choose one book. Honors Ninth Literature students will choose twobooks.Long Way Gone by Ishmael BeahLexile: 920LIn A Long Way Gone, Beah, now twenty-five years old, tells a riveting story: how at the age of twelve, hefled attacking rebels and wandered a land rendered unrecognizable by violence. By thirteen, he'd beenpicked up by the government army, and Beah, at heart a gentle boy, found that he was capable of trulyterrible acts. (Amazon.com book description)The 7 Habits of Highly Effective Teens by Sean CoveyLexile: 870LBeing a teenager is both wonderful and challenging. In The 7 Habits of Highly Effective Teens, authorSean Covey applies the timeless principles of the 7 Habits to teens and the tough issues and lifechangingdecisions they face. In an entertaining style, Covey provides a step-by-step guide to help teensimprove self-image, build friendships, resist peer pressure, achieve their goals, get along with theirparents, and much more. In addition, this book is stuffed with cartoons, clever ideas, great quotes, andincredible stories about real teens from all over the world. The 7 Habits of Highly Effective Teens willengage teenagers unlike any other book. An indispensable book for teens, as well as parents,grandparents, and any adult who influences young people, The 7 Habits of Highly Effective Teens isdestined to become the last word on surviving and thriving as a teen and beyond. (Lexile.com summary)Shiver by Maggie StiefvaterLexile: 740LFor years, Grace has watched the wolves in the woods behind her house. One yellow-eyed wolf--herwolf--is a chilling presence she can't seem to live without. Meanwhile, Sam has lived two lives: In winter,the frozen woods, the protection of the pack, and the silent company of a fearless girl. In summer, a fewprecious months of being human . . . until the cold makes him shift back again. (Amazon.com bookdescription) Now, Grace meets a yellow-eyed boy whose familiarity takes her breath away. It's her wolf.

It has to be. But as winter nears, Sam must fight to stay human--or risk losing himself, and Grace,forever. (Amazon.com book description)The Color of Water: A Black Man’s Tribute to His White Mother by James McBrideLexile: 1240LAs a boy in Brooklyn, James McBride knew that his mother was different. But when he asked about it,she'd simply say, "I'm light-skinned". Later he wondered if he was different too, and asked his mother ifhe was black or white. "You're a human being", she snapped. "Educate yourself or you'll be a nobody!"When James asked what the colour of God was, she said, "God is the colour of water". As an adult,McBride finally persuaded his mother to tell the story. Her story was of a rabbi's daughter, born inPoland and raised in the South, who fled Harlem, married a black man, founded a Baptist church, andput 12 children through college. This is James McBride's tribute to his eccentric and determined mother,and an exploration of what family means. (Lexile.com summary)Impossible by Nancy WerlinLexile: HL670LInspired by the classic folk ballad “Scarborough Fair,” this is a wonderfully riveting novel of suspense,romance, and fantasy. Lucy is seventeen when she discovers that she is the latest recipient of agenerations-old family curse that requires her to complete three seemingly impossible tasks or riskfalling into madness and passing the curse on to the next generation. Unlike her ancestors, though, Lucyhas family, friends, and other modern resources to help her out. But will it be enough to conquer thisage-old evil? (Amazon.com book description)The Book Thief by Marcus ZusakLexile: 730LIt's just a small story really, about among other things: a girl, some words, an accordionist, somefanatical Germans, a Jewish fist-fighter, and quite a lot of thievery. . . . Set during World War II inGermany, Markus Zusak's groundbreaking new novel is the story of Liesel Meminger, a foster girl livingoutside of Munich. Liesel scratches out a meager existence for herself by stealing when she encounterssomething she can't resist-books. With the help of her accordion-playing foster father, she learns toread and shares her stolen books with her neighbors during bombing raids as well as with the Jewishman hidden in her basement before he is marched to Dachau. This is an unforgettable story about theability of books to feed the soul. From the Hardcover edition. (Lexile.com summary)

Assessment Check List for Summer Reading 2013-14Directions: As you read your selected summer reading book, you are required to complete all of the fourtasks as detailed below. The assessment can be handwritten or word processed.Name _________________________________________ Date ___________ Block_________Book Title_____________________________________________________________________TaskCheck when completed1. Examine the themes listed below. As you read, identify the theme of yourtext, and find three examples in the text that support this theme. For eachexample, write a paragraph explaining the connection to the theme. Beloware common themes you may select or choose a theme of your own. Youmay choose three different themes and give an example of each or onetheme and give three examples of its use.Themesa. Sacrifices bring rewardb. All human beings have the same needs.c. Friendship makes life more meaningful.d. Loneliness leads people to seek companionship.e. The strong often prey on the weak.f. Love is the worthiest of pursuits.g. Death is a part of the life cycle.h. The pressures of society may not align with what makes you happy.i. Adversity can lead to triumph. Worth 20 Points2. Choose two characters from the text. In two to three paragraphs, analyzehow these complex characters develop throughout the text. Be sure to providespecific examples from the text. For nonfiction novels, choose two events orsituations from the text. In two to three paragraphs, analyze how thesecomplex events or situations develop throughout the text. Be sure to provide Worth 10 Pointsspecific examples from the text.3. Choose three significant and memorable quotes from the novel. Copythe quotes, and cite the page number. In three paragraphs, explain the impactthat each quote had on the tone of the text or the meaning of the text.4. In-class Essay. After class discussion of novels, and literary techniques,you will be required to write an essay in-class that will require you to focus ontopics such as structure, point-of-view, and purpose. Each teacher will sharewith you the expectation of the essay.Worth 10 PointsWill be administered theweek of August 26-29,2013 for Fall and theweek of January 27-31,2014 for Spring.40 Points Total (Aseparate grade will begiven for the in-class

essay)