Lakewood Catholic Academy - 2007 Summer Reading List - Grades 8

Summer Reading Assignment 2007 Grade 8
Mrs. Seeds

Reading a good novel is a great way to keep your brain in shape during those long summer days. I have chosen a beautifully written and exciting novel for this year's summer reading. Each student is required to read "The Book Thief" by Markus Zusak. This book is about a young German girl named Liesel who tries to make sense of the horrors of World War II.She uses her talents as a book-stealer and storyteller to help sustain her family and the Jewish man they are hiding, as well as their neighbors, through this horrible time in history.

You will be required to keep a response journal as you read this book. Use a spiral notebook with your name and the name of the book written on the front cover. Every few chapters, write on or two paragraphs that record your reaction to the text. Also required, as part of your journaling, are your responses to the following:

1. Describe in detail the characters of Liesel and Max at the beginning of the novel to the people they became at the end. Which people and events shaped and changed them throughout the course of the novel?

2. Some of the vocabulary from "The Book Thief" is difficult. Using the vocabulary forms included with this letter, find 10 words that your unfamiliar with and complete the activities required. You are to do two words per page. Please write the page number next to each new word that you use. You may place these completed forms inside your journal. Be creative with your drawings.

3. "The human race is unimportant. It is the self that must not be betrayed. Hitler did not betray himself. Millions of Germans did betray themselves. That was the tragedy. Not that one man had the courage to be good."

Consider this quote and respond to it. Do you believe that people are born naturally good or bad? Explain.

4. Near the end of "The Book Thief" there is a big time gap between Liesel and Max reuniting at the end of the war to Liesel's death in Australia. What do you think the rest of Liesel's life turned out to be? Do you think she ever returned to Germany, or would this have been too difficult for her to face?

5. Write a journal entry imagining that she returned to Germany for a visit as an adult. Who or where did she visit? What feelings, emotions and memories were evoked before, during and after her visit?

6. If you could ask the author, Markus Zusak, one question about his book, what would it be?

This book can be borrowed from the library or purchased from any bookstore or Amazon.com. It is an important book and well worth the money.

The first week of school, our reading class will be devoted to discussion, journal sharing and a test on ""The Book Thief". Please bring your completed journals to class on August 22, 2007. They will be graded and returned. These activities and test will be your first reading grades for the year. Please have your parent or guardian sign the front of your journal when it is competed. Your completed journal will be worth 50 points and your test will be worth 50 points. It is very important that your read the entire book.

Note: I usually require two to three books for summer reading. This year I am assigning only one.

Enjoy this book and have a great summer. I'm looking forward to another great year!

Mrs. Seeds

Vocabulary Sheets