1. To: All students currently in 5th
grade
From: Mrs. Weber
Re: Summer Reading Projects
You have the privilege of reading two great novels this summer. At the bottom of the page you will find the
choices for your Summer Reading. One book needs to be from List A and one book needs to be from List
B.
You may check these books out from the library, or you may purchase your own copy.
Your List A book has also been made into a movie. After you read the book you are to watch the movie and
type a 1-2 page paper comparing and contrasting the book and the movie. See the back of this sheet for more
specific details (think Night of the Twisters Compare and Contrast Paper ). This paper will be due the first
Friday we are back in school, August 16th
.
The List B book should be read by the time school starts in August. We will be doing a project on the book in
class. It is highly recommended that you take notes on the book to help you remember main characters,
important details, settings and plot.
Both of these projects will be part of you first quarter grade, so it is important that you do your best work.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Mrs. Weber by e-mail at eweber@stjstl.net.
List A Books
The Little Princess by Francis Hodgson Burnett
Sounder by William H. Armstrong
Peter Pan by J.M. Barrie
List B Books
Long Way from Chicago by Richard Peck
Milkweed by Jerry Spinelli
The Watsons go to Birmingham by Christopher Paul Curtis
The Boy in the Striped Pajamas by John Boyne
Because of Mr. Terupt by Rob Buyea
The Other Half of my Heart bySundee T. Frazier
Griff Carver, Hallway Patrol by Jim Krieg
Half Brother by Kenneth Oppel
2. Requirements for the Paper: Due on Friday, August 16th
Typing Requirements:
At least 1 full page, but no more than 2 full pages, Times New Roman, double spaced, size 12 font
Include the following in your paper:
Book title and author
Movie title and main actors
*Use the Graphic Organizer Provided
In a well-written essay, include the following:
1) Introduction—Include the book title, author, movie title and main actors, thesis statement
2) How are the book and movie similar?
3) How are the book and movie different?
4) Which (movie or book) did you like better and why? Talk about details of the plot that make the book
or movie better. List at least three reasons why you like either the book or the movie better.
Summer Reading Compare and Contrast Paper Rubric
CONTENT:
There is a clear and focused main idea that is
well-supported by detailed information.
________/10
CONVENTIONS:
Writer makes few errors in capitalization,
punctuation, and grammar mechanics.
________/10
ORGANIZATION:
Details are placed in a logical order and
support the main idea. The paper flows and is
easy to read.
________/10
TRANSITIONS:
Writer uses transition words and phrases
between sentences and paragraphs to connect
ideas.
________/10
COMPARE AND CONTRAST:
The novel and the movie are compared and
contrasted well, using details and examples to
prove the point.
________/10
TOTAL POINTS:
________/50