CENTRAL TREE MIDDLE SCHOOL
Rutland, Massachusetts

EIGHTH GRADE SUMMER READING

June 2007

Dear Parents of Incoming Eighth Graders:

In keeping with the district’s philosophy of encouraging students to become life-long learners, the language arts teachers here at Central Tree Middle School request that all students entering eighth grade in the fall take part in summer reading. Attached is a list of authors. Students are asked to choose one of these authors, read two or more books by that author over the summer, and come back to school in the fall prepared to complete an assigned piece of writing based on each of them. Students should keep a reading journal or make notes in their personal copy of the books to help them complete the assignment when they return to school.

Once your child has completed his/her summer reading, he or she should complete the form below, have you sign it, and return it to school on the first day. Assignments based on the books will be outlined after the start of school.

Thank you for your continued support and cooperation. Have a wonderful summer!
Sincerely,

The Grade Eight Language Arts Teachers

Central Tree Middle School
Grade Eight Summer Reading

My child ____________________________ has read the following books to fulfill the summer reading requirement:

1. ___________________________________________________________________

2. ___________________________________________________________________

+. ___________________________________________________________________

+ . __________________________________________________________________

Parent/guardian signature: ________________________________________________

Central Tree Middle School
Grade 8 Summer Reading List – 2007

Please select one of the following authors and read two or more books written by him or her. Explore the titles and genre written by each author, and choose the author and titles which appeal to you. Be prepared to write an essay about the books when you return to school in the fall.

Authors

1. Robert Cormier
2. Eoin Colfer
3. Charles Dickens
4. Robert Peck
5. Cynthia Voight
6. Philip Pullman
7. Walter Dean Myers
8. Jack London (any novel except Call of the Wild)
9. Virginia Hamilton
10. Scott O’Dell
11. Louisa May Alcott
12. Susan Cooper
13. Cynthia Rylant
14. Paul Zindel

Be prepared to write an essay about each book and your reaction to it when you return to school in the fall. Keep notes on the events in the story and your thoughts about the book as you read.