Airhead By: Meg Cabot

The summary: Seventeen-year-old tomboy^[2] Emerson Watts, accompanies her sister, Frida, and her best friend, Christopher, to a Stark Mega store opening in So Ho, which is attended by the teen supermodel, Nikki Howard. In addition to Howard's celebrity presence there will be an appearance by British heartthrob, singer, and songwriter, Gabriel Luna. Frida has a crush on the musician. The event is protested, and one of the protesters shoots a plasma screen with a paint ball gun, snapping the wires. Emerson (Em for short) saves her sister from being hit by the plasma screen crashing down, and takes the hit herself. At the very moment, Nikki faints and goes brain-dead.

Choose 2 of the following prompts. Remember that each answer needs to be at least two, well written paragraphs.

1.      If you could brain transplant into anyone’s body whose would it be and how would your life change? How did Emerson’s life change? Give specific examples from the book.

2.      At the end of 15, Emerson says that she is starting to like LuLu and asks herself, “So what does that say about me?” What is her attitude toward popular ‘perfect’ types of people? Why? Give examples from the book of how you know this.

3.      How does Nikki and Emerson’s morality (values/choice of lifestyle) differ? Give examples from the book.

4.      What are some life lessons that Emerson learns as Nickki?

5.      What did you think about the conclusion? Would you change it? How? If not, why not?

Remember that you may either type this assignment in Word and email it to me, or type it and hand it in when school starts. Your paper should be double spaced Times New Roman 12 (even if it is hand written) and have a heading that includes: Name, Book Title, Questions that you are answering and grade.

Student Name________

Title XXXXXXX

Question #2 and #4

Grade 8

Dark Life

Dark Life by Katt Falls Summary: Dark Life is the story of Ty, a teenage boy living under the sea. He meets Gemma, a teenage girl from the land, who has gone under the water searching for her brother. When an outlaw group called the Seablite Gang attacks a homestead, Ty and Gemma get more involved than they would like with the attempt to capture the bandits.  They find out that Shade is actually Gemma's brother, who can change his  appearance thanks to his 'Dark Gift.' Ty also has a Dark Gift that he has been keeping secret, which he decides to reveal to the other settlers in order to save Shade's life. When the settlers are caught in the Trade Station as it floods, Ty uses his Dark Gift  to call to a pod of dolphins to save them all. Choose 2 of the following prompts. Remember that each answer needs to be at least two, well written paragraphs. 1.      Why does Gemma tell Ty he has a “Dark Gift”?  What does Ty say about “Dark Gifts”? Why is Ty so opposed to revealing that Dark Gifts are real? How are these gifts used in the story? Give examples from the book. 2.      What is the tension that Ty says has always existed 3.      between Topsiders and the undersea pioneers?  Give examples. What are some tensions that exists among people in history and/or today? Be detailed. 4.      What grievances do the pioneers have against the Commonwealth government? At the settlement meeting, what does Benton Tupper, the representative of the Commonwealth of States government, call upon the pioneers to do? 5.      What does Gemma reveal to Ty about where she came from, her parents,  and her brother? Does knowing more about this character help you understand her more? Why or Why not? Give examples from the book.

Remember that you may either type this assignment in Word and email it to me, or type it and hand it in when school starts. Your paper should be double spaced (even if it is hand written) and have a heading that includes: Name, Book Title, Questions that you are answering and grade. Student Name________ Title XXXXXXX Question #2 and #4 Grade 8 Due no later than August 30th. Late work will not be accepted.

Things Not Seen

Things Not Seen By: Andrew Clements

The summary: For fifteen-year-old Bobby Phillips, "being ignored" takes on a whole new meaning when he wakes up one morning and discovers he's become invisible! After convincing his parents he still exists, Bobby is forced to remain at home and keep his "condition" a secret. When his parents are in a car accident that leaves them hospitalized, however, Bobby journeys outside and winds up in the library. There he meets Alicia Van Dorn, a blind girl, with whom he eventually confides his secret. 

Choose 2 of the following prompts. Remember that each answer needs to be at least two, well written paragraphs

1.      How do Bobby’s parents react to his situation?  What do their reactions say about their character? How would you react in Bobby’s situation? What does that say about your character?

2.      Why do you think Bobby likes to escape the “real world” by reading books? What are the benefits of reading books? (think about physically, socially and emotionally.)

3.      What is Bobby’s “good deed” and how does it turn bad? Give examples from the book. Have you ever had a ‘good deed’ go bad? Tell me about it.

4.      Explain the two sides of the argument Bobby has with his dad.  Be sure to take into consideration the point of view of each side.

5.      Figurative Language: Explain the simile: “right as rain” on page 48.

Find another simile in this chapter and explain.  What does it mean to “stick your foot in your mouth”?  How does Bobby do this? (Chapter 10)

Remember that you may either type this assignment in Word and email it to me, or type it and hand it in when school starts. Your paper should be double spaced (even if it is hand written) and  have a heading that includes: Name, Book Title, Questions that you are answering and grade.

Student Name________

Title XXXXXXX

Question #2 and #4

Grade 8

Due no later than August 30th. Late work will not be accepted.

Crispin: The Cross of Lead

Crispin: the Cross of Lead  by Avi

The summary comes from: http://www.enotes.com/crispin-cross-lead/summary

Crispin: The Cross of Lead opens the day after Crispin’s mother, Asta, dies some time in 1377. Asta’s death sets a chain of events in motion that disrupts the dull but stable life Crispin had known up to that point. Crispin overhears John Aycliffe, the local steward, speaking with a stranger. When they realize he has been listening, they try to capture him. Failing, they make a public proclamation that Crispin stole from the manor house and declare him a “wolf’s head”: someone outside of human society, who can be killed at will. The village priest, Father Quinel, advises...

Choose 2 of the following prompts. Remember that each answer needs to be at least two, well written paragraphs

1.      How does Asta’s son’s confidence affect the way he responds to situations? Give specific examples of situations.

2.      Describe the climax (turning point) of the story.

3.      In the conclusion, Asta’s son discovers who he really is. Does his self-concept (what he thinks of himself) change? Does his self-confidence change before or after this discovery?

4.      After Crispin gives his sacred oath to Bear, he regrets it, thinking it "far better to have died on the road." What causes him to think his fate is so bleak? Why does he believe he must keep his oath? What does that tell you about his character? (scholstaic.com)

5.      Crispin is confused by Bear claiming it is best to "live by questions," not by answers. What do you think he means by that? Do you think Crispin is living by answers before this scene? Explain. (scholstic.com)

Remember that you may either type this assignment in Word and email it to me, or type it and hand it in when school starts. Your paper should be double spaced (even if it is hand written) and  have a heading that includes: Name, Book Title, Questions that you are answering and grade.

Student Name________

Title XXXXXXX

Question #2 and #4

Grade 8

Due no later than August 30th. Late work will not be accepted.

Among the Imposters

Among the Imposters by Margarett Peterson Haddix

The summary: Luke Garner is an illegal child in his family because he was the third child born. For most of his life, he'd been safe, hiding within the confines of his family's farm. But now, because of his association with a rebel third — short for third child — named Jen, Luke has had to take on a new identity. He is now Lee Grant, a new student to the Hendricks School for Boys. Jen's father, Mr. Talbot, obtained the new identity card for Luke. Mr. Talbot drops him off at the school and advises him to blend in with the other boys. This is close to impossible since Luke has had no contact with anyone but his family and Jen for his entire life.

Choose 2 of the following prompts. Remember that each answer needs to be at least two, well written paragraphs

1.      What were three events that served as a turning point of the story? Be detailed.

2.      Do you think Luke’s decision at the end of the book was wise? Why or why not?

3.      How can he help others like him? Do you think he has a good plan?

4.      What do you think about the advice given to Luke?  What did it mean?

5.      What events in this book surprised you? Why? What did you expect to happen? Be detailed.

Remember that you may either type this assignment in Word and email it to me, or type it and hand it in when school starts. Your paper should be double spaced (even if it is hand written) and  have a heading that includes: Name, Book Title, Questions that you are answering and grade.

Student Name________

Title XXXXXXX

Question #2 and #4

Grade 7

Due no later than August 30th. late work will not be accepted.

Among the Hidden

Among the Hidden by Margarett Peterson Haddix

" Luke lives in a society where only two children per family are allowed. Being the third child in his family Luke must remain hidden his whole life. He can't have friends, eat at the table(where someone might see him through the window), watch TV, or even play outside.
Then one day he sees a girl in the window of a house next to him. A house in which Luke knows there are two boys. He decides to investigate, sneaks out of the house, and enters the house. Luke descovers that he is not the only third child. There is a whole network of third children, called the shadow children, led by the girl in the house, Jen.
Luke finds out that they're planning to have a rally and demand their rights. He must know decide to join the rally and possibly be killed, or stay hidden and remain safe, but not free.

Choose 2 of the following prompts. Remember that each answer needs to be at least two, well written paragraphs

1.      If an older sibling died and you took his place, how would you suddenly explain your existence? Would you have to have the personality of your older sibling or could you be yourself?

2.      What role did reading play in Luke’s knowledge of the outside world?

3.      Is Luke a “special needs child”? How does his enforced isolation change his relationship with the members of his family—his mother, father, and brothers?

4.      What tactics did the government use to create fear? Why did they want to create fear? Does something like this happen in our society or modern societies elsewhere? Give examples.

5.      How should a nation’s resources be allocated (shared or divided) between those who have privileges and those who don’t?

Remember that you may either type this assignment in Word and email it to me, or type it and hand it in when school starts. Your paper should be double spaced (even if it is hand written) and  have a heading that includes: Name, Book Title, Questions that you are answering and grade.

Student Name________

Title XXXXXXX

Question #2 and #4

Grade 8

Due no later than August 30th. Late work will not be accepted.

Ironing out wrinkles

Welcome to our class blog. I have never had a blog with students before and I am not familiar with all the technology options out there, so we are going to learn together. The purpose of this blog is to stay connected to what's going on in class, practice writing, and actively learning. There will be times that I will have videos here for you to preview and take notes about for the next day in class. Hopefully (if I can figureo ut how to do it!),there will be directions for projects and a calendar. I ask for your patience while we 'iron out the wrinkles' and if you have any advice on how to make the page better, I am more than willing to listen! I am looking forward to a great year of learning with you!