Incoming 8th Grade Summer Reading
Incoming 8th Grade Honors Summer Reading Assignment & Rubric
Summer Reading Assignment for Incoming 8th Graders
Students choose one of the following to read:
- The Lie Tree by Frances Hardinge
- Murder on the Orient Express by Agatha Christie
Students are encouraged to purchase their own copy so they can annotate while reading. A limited number of copies may be available to borrow from the front offices at Abell, Alamo, Goddard, and San Jacinto for students who need one.
Required Assignment, Due Date: Friday, August 21
While reading, students must complete the attached Novel Frame. Students should:
- Follow the directions provided for each section.
- Respond thoroughly in complete sentences.
- Use details from the text to support their responses.
The Novel Frame will guide students in analyzing the text using Depth and Complexity, a set of thinking tools used in Honors, Pre-AP, and AP courses to promote deeper understanding of literature and ideas. These tools help students examine elements such as themes, patterns, perspectives, and underlying meanings within a text.
In-Class Writing Assessment, Timed Write Dates: August 24–25
After the school year begins, students will complete a timed writing assessment (40–50 minutes) based on the novel they read. Because the writing will require detailed knowledge of the text, students must read the entire book to be successful.
Both the Novel Frame and the timed write will be graded assignments.