This summer you are required to read a Pura Belpre Award winning novel, called
Esperanza Rising by Pam Munoz Ryan.
This is the story of a young wealthy girl named Esperanza who faces a sudden
tragedy. Esperanza and her mother must flee to California and settle into a
Mexican farm labor camp, which is a whole new experience for her family. As
she and her family try to fit into their new environment they face several
challenges. Esperanza must cope
to rise to her new challenges and survive in her new home. Throughout this
novel you will also learn new Spanish words and customs too!
I hope you find this book as interesting as I did!
During your reading I am asking (requiring) you to keep a journal
of your thoughts, feelings, and predictions after you read each chapter.
We will be doing more activities regarding this novel when you return to school
in September. Please bring your book and your journal with you on the
first day of school. There will be a quiz on this book when we return to school,
as well as activities during the first couple weeks.
You are not required to read a second novel, but reading a second novel from
the list below will earn you extra credit in reading in the first tri-mester!!
A project will be assigned when you return to school.
Keeping a journal of this book,following the above instructions, will help
you complete this project.
• The Boy Who Saved Baseball - John H. Ritter Tom Gallagher is in a tight
spot. The Dillontown baseball field is about to be torn down by developers,
and he has to save it.
• The Breadwinner - Deborah Ellis 11 year old Parvana is trying to grow up in
war-torn Afghanistan. With the Taliban ruling the already extremely poor
country, her family is struggling to survive.
• Catherine, Called Birdy - Karen Cushman "I am commanded to write an account
of my days: I am bit by fleas and plagued by family." Newbery Honor Book
• The Eyes of the Amaryllis - Natalie Babbitt Young Jenny Reade has been sent
to an isolated Cape Cod home to care for her grandmother Geneva, who has
broken her ankle. Jenny doesn't know her grandmother well and has never
before seen the ocean.
• Fractals, Googols And Other Mathematical Tales -T Pappas Includes short
stories and discussions which present such mathematical concepts as decimals,
tangrams, number lines, and fractals.
• The Invention of Hugo Cabret - Brian Selznick Orphan, clock keeper, and
thief, Hugo lives in the walls of a busy Paris train station, where his
survival depends on secrets and anonymity.
• Kira-Kira - Cynthia Kadohata This is the story of a close friendship
between two Japanese-American sisters growing up in rural Georgia during the
late 1950s and early 1960s, and the despair when one sister becomes terminally
ill. Newbery Medal Book
• Lyddie - Katherine Paterson When ten-year-old Lyddie and her younger brother
are hired out as servants to help payoff their family farm's debts, Lyddie is
determined to find a way to reunite her family. A story of determination and
personal growth, Lyddie has already established itself as a classic.
• My Brother Sam Is Dead - James Lincoln Collier "it was april, and outside in
the dark the rain whipped against the windows of our tavern, making a sound
like muffled drums." Newbery Honor Book
• On My Honor - Marion Dane Bauer When his best friend drowns while they are
both swimming in a treacherous river that they had promised never to go near,
Joel is devastated and terrified at having to tell both sets of parents the
terrible consequences of their disobedience. Newbery Honor Book
• A Single Shard - Linda Sue Park Set in 12th century Korea, this is the story
of Treeear who lives under a bridge with his disabled older friend Crane-man.
Tree-ear becomes fascinated with the potter's craft and longs to create
celadon ceramics.
• The Westing Game - Ellen Raskin "The sun sets in the west (just about everyone
knows that), but Sunset Towers faced east." A mystery tale of puzzles, games,
and danger! Newbery Honor Book