Dear Rising Eighth Grader,

8TH GRADE SUMMER READING & WRITING ASSIGNMENT
Honors
Dear Rising Eighth Grader,
May 21, 2015
We hope that you have a wonderful summer and come back ready to begin the eighth grade
rested and excited to start the last year of middle school. Eighth grade is a key year because the
habits you establish will go with you into high school. As preparation for next year, you need to
continue to read over the summer. The following is your required summer assignment:

Read one narrative (tells a story) fiction OR nonfiction book relating to human
rights.

Write a two-page response, answering the following prompts and using
specific details from the novel to explain and support your response:
1. What are your reactions to and opinions of the novel?
2. What is the main conflict of the novel?
3. What is a major theme in the novel?
4. What is the most important word, sentence, or passage in the novel?
5. What connections are there between the novel and your own life?

Your response must be typed using the following format: double-spaced, 12 pt.
Times New Roman, and a heading at top left of page:
Your Name
Date
Summer Assignment

Title your response using the novel title and author.

Do not summarize. Grammar, usage, and mechanics are graded.

DUE THE FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL: August 24, 2015
How do I find a novel relating to human rights? Easy! The following topics all involve
human rights: war (any country, any time period), Civil Rights Movement, women’s rights,
protecting children, labor movements, immigration, gay rights, freedom of expression, slavery,
discrimination, bullying, abuse, genocide, struggles in third world countries, poverty, right to
education, etc. And MANY more! Think outside the box. For example, The Hunger Games, The
Upstairs Room, and Nothing But the Truth all relate to human rights.
Please try to read within 100 points higher or lower than your Lexile level. It can be difficult to
find works of fiction at higher Lexile levels, so use your best judgment. You can find books by
asking the librarians at your local library. You can also use the advanced search page on
www.arbookfind.com. Check the Lexile level of books at: www.lexile.com/findabook/.
f you have any questions, please feel free to email us. We look forward to our year together!
Mrs. Barbaza (marisa.barbaza@dpsnc.net)
Mrs. Reeves (abigail.reeves@dpsnc.net)