The Hunger Games

  HONORS STUDENTS:  IF YOU DO NOT HAND IN THE SUMMER READING ASSIGNMENT ON 
THE FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL(Monday, August 8, 2011), YOU WILL RECEIVE A ZERO.  
THE ONLY EXCEPTIONS TO THIS ARE THE STUDENTS WHO ARE ENTERING MANDEVILLE 
JUNIOR HIGH AS NEW STUDENTS.    


May 14, 2011


Dear Parent/Guardian:


As summer approaches, the eighth grade ELA teachers at Mandeville Junior High 
have been very busy selecting a book and designing activities for our Summer 
Reading Program.  We have worked diligently to provide a book which reflects 
the interests and reading levels of our students.  The book we have chosen 
corresponds to the first unit of our Guaranteed Curriculum titled Reaching 
Out.

 Over the summer, each eighth grade honors ELA student will be required to 
read Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins.  Students will be responsible for 
reading the novel and completing the assignment by the first day of school.  
Language Arts teachers will assess student reading of the novel on Friday, 
August 19.  The summer reading book will also be used to complete a project 
during the first quarter and in writing lessons throughout the year.  

As our society continues to make demands on us, we hope you will agree that 
strong, independent, confident readers provide the basis for success in all 
endeavors.  We thank all parents and guardians for their support.  As we all 
read together, we wish you and your children a summer of exciting and 
pleasurable reading adventures. 


Sincerely, 

Eighth Grade Honors English Language Arts Teachers
Mandeville Junior High 


8th grade Honors ELA: Summer Reading Assignment
Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

Directions: Type your answers using 12 pt. Times New Roman, Arial, or Comic 
Sans font.   Responses should provide sufficient detail to indicate close 
reading of the book.  Remember to answer in complete sentences.  (Each 
question is worth ten points.)  All work should be your own; academic 
dishonesty will result in a zero.


1.  Explain the meaning of the title.  (3-4 sentences)
2.  Describe the setting- time and place. (1-2 sentences)
3.  Identify the protagonist.   List three physical characteristics and three 
personality traits.  Provide one example from the story to support each 
personality trait.     (For example, Katniss shows (personality trait) when 
she …

4.  Explain the term “reaping”. (2-3 sentences)

5.  Explain how Panem was formed. (2-3 sentences)

6.  Identify and explain the main conflict in the novel.  (1-2 sentences)

7.  Explain how and when Katniss first realizes that Peeta cares for her and 
is trying to keep her alive.  (2-3 sentences) 

8.  Identify and explain the theme of the novel. Do NOT confuse theme with 
SUBJECT.  The theme is not what the novel is about; it is the author’s 
message about life.  (1-2 sentences)

9.Write the last sentence of the book.   How is the last sentence related to 
the beginning of the book?   (3-5 sentences total)

10.  What would you tell someone who wanted to read this book?  Be specific 
in your answers.  Use details from the book to suppport your response.  ( 3-5 
sentences)