*SUMMER READING PORTFOLIO 2008: 9th Grade
*Update: Thank you to all who have submitted Summer Reading Projects…I look forward to getting them back to you shortly. =]
All students are required to read two books and create two corresponding projects. This year we
have chosen First Crossing: Stories About Teen Immigrants to be our school wide selection. For the independent reading, students will choose one selection from a list of four titles. After finishing the books, students will choose a project for each selection from the options listed below to include in the portfolio. Knowledge of these two titles will be necessary for lessons during the opening weeks of school. The Summer Reading Portfolio will be collected in English class on September 9, 2008 and will count toward the student’s average.
*SCHOOL WIDE SELECTION
First Crossing: Stories About Teen Immigrants edited by Donald R. Gallo
Covering a wide range of cultural and economic backgrounds, these stories by 11
well-known authors touch on a variety of teen experiences, with enough attitude and heartfelt
angst to speak to young adults anywhere. In Pam Muñoz Ryan’s “First Crossing,” a boy
experiences the risks of being smuggled across the Mexican border. Marie G. Lee’s “The Rose of
Sharon” describes a spoiled girl’s animosity toward her adoptive parents and her desire to return
to Korea to find her birth family. In Jean Davies Okimoto’s “My Favorite Chaperone,” an
immigrant from Kazakhstan describes her relationship with her conservative parents, who rely
on her to translate for them but still limit her freedom. Many of the stories open with a brief
description of the country the family is leaving, or the lifestyle they flee. (from School Library
Journal)
*INDEPENDENT READING SELECTION
Choose One of the following titles to read:
Lost Names: Scenes from a Korean Boyhood by Richard E. Kim
The Chosen by Chaim Potok
Chanda’s Secrets by Allan Stratton
The House on Mango Street by Sandra Cisneros
***Instructions:
After reading First Crossing: Stories About Teen Immigrantsand an independent reading
selection from the list, you will create two projects to include in your Summer Reading
Portfolio.
PROJECT OPTIONS:
**You may do the same project for both books.
1. Write 3-5 newspaper articles portraying moments in the text in journalistic fashion. These
articles should reflect the beginning, middle and end of the work. Use the journalistic questions
(Who? What? Where? When? Why? How?) to guide your writing.
2. Turn the story into a comic book. Include all of the characters and the major aspects of the
plot. Remember that a comic book should show both dialogue and the thoughts of the
characters.
(At least five significant scenes should be featured in your book).
3. Create a scrapbook for one of the characters. These items can be represented through drawings, actual objects, magazine clippings, etc. Length: 10-12 major items.
4. Develop a soundtrack for the book. For each major part of the book, choose three songs (12 -15 songs total) that represent the characters and events in that part. For each song, explain why your choice matches the section or scene. Quote the lyrics that show the link between the song and the book. Your choices must not contain any profanity or inappropriate content. You may burn a CD of your soundtrack, but this is not a required part of the project.
5. Keep a diary as if you are one of the characters in the book either 5 years before or 5 years after the story. The character’s diary should highlight significant events especially those events that enlighten, enrich, or dramatically impact a character’s life. Each entry should reflect the
character’s thoughts for that particular day. Your diary should have at least 8-10 entries.
PROJECT ASSESSMENT:
Your projects will be graded on visual appeal, content, and creativity.
Questions about this assignment can be directed to Ms. Gina Hart at www.schoolnotes.com
READING FOR ENRICHMENT
The School District of Philadelphia has provided the following Summer Reading List for
students entering 9th grade. The Free Library has ordered additional copies of each selection so
that many students can enjoy these excellent titles. While these books are not required reading
this year, we suggest that each student read at least one book on this list for additional
enrichment.
Somewhere in the Darkness by Walter Dean Myers
Rocket Boys/ October Sky by Homer Hickam
