8th Summer Reading 2026

Dear Students and Families,

Welcome to 8^th grade! Over the summer, students are expected to complete a required summer reading assignment. This assignment is designed to help students stay engaged with reading, prepare for the upcoming school year, and practice important reading and writing skills.

Book Selection

Students must choose ONE of the following books from the Archdiocese of Philadelphia’s approved list to read over the summer:

I Am Malala by Malala Yousafzai and Christina Lamb (Young Readers Edition)

Malala Yousafzai's memoir about her courageous campaign for girls' education in Pakistan. It tells the story of her life in the Swat Valley, the Taliban's takeover, her near-fatal shooting, and her journey to become a global advocate for education right. ©2017 Grade Level 5-8. 2015 Grammy Award for Best Children's Album

The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind by William Kamkwanba (Young Readers Edition)

A memoir by William Kamkwamba and Bryan Mealer about a young boy in Malawi who, facing a devastating drought, learns to build a windmill from scrap materials using his knowledge gained from library books. ©2009 Grade Level 6-8. CCBC Choices, Junior Library Guild Selections, Outstanding Science Trade Book

The Red Bandanna by Tom Rinaldi (Young Readers Edition)

Welles Crowther always kept a red bandanna with him, a gift from his father. Little did he know how that bandanna would help him in a time of crisis, during the fall of the South Tower of the World Trade Center. Readers will be fascinated by the story of an ordinary man who did extraordinary work to save lives of others while sacrificing his own. ©2017 Grade Level 6–8, Winner of the Christopher Award, Notable Social Studies Book

Students should choose the book they feel is most appropriate for their reading level and interest. All books will be used for the same type of assessment and project when school begins.

Assessment Overview

This summer reading assignment will be worth a total of 50 points, divided into two parts:

1. Reading Test (25 points)

Students will take an open-book test during the first week of school based on their selected book.

• The test will include:
  • Multiple choice questions
  • Short response questions

• The purpose of the test is to assess comprehension and skills, including:
  • Main idea and plot
  • Characters/People
  • Conflict
  • Setting
  • Theme

2. Project (25 points)

Students will complete ONE project from the options listed below.

Students will demonstrate understanding of the book by using textual evidence and showing thoughtful engagement with the book. Textual evidence means including quotes and a page number.

Project Options (Choose ONE)

Students will select one of the following:

1. Character Diary / Journal (6 entries)
2. Double Entry Journal (10 entries)
3. Reflection Analysis Essay
4. Slideshow (10 slides)
5. Written Comprehension Questions (10 responses)

All projects must:

• Be clearly organized
• Include references to the text (events, details, or quotes)
• Show understanding of the book’s characters, plot/events, and themes

Typed and printed work is strongly preferred.

Handwritten work is acceptable only if it is clearly legible. Illegible work may not be accepted/graded.

1. Character Diary / Journal

Write 6 diary entries.

Option A: Write journal entries from the real person’s perspective

Option B: Write journal entries as yourself reacting to key events

Requirements:

• Each entry must include a date
• Each entry should reflect the character’s thoughts, feelings, and experiences
• Entries must reference actual events from the text
• Entries should show how the person changes over time
• Each entry must be a minimum of 5 sentences
• Effort and thoughtful engagement with the book must be evident

2. Double Entry Journal

Create a chart with 10 entries total.

Format:

• Column 1: A quote or important passage from the book (include the chapter and page number)
• Column 2: Your reaction, explanation, or analysis of the quote (2-3 sentences)

Requirements

• Entries must be spread throughout the book, not taken from just one chapter.
• Your journal should reflect reading from beginning, middle, and end of the book.
• Entries should demonstrate your understanding of how nonfiction elements, ideas, characters, and events develop over time.
• Avoid choosing all entries from the same chapter.
• Quotes should represent different moments in the book, showing progression rather than repetition.
• Effort and thoughtful engagement with the book must be evident.

Response Expectations:

• Do not simply summarize the quote.
• Explain its significance (character development, conflict, theme, or important event).
• Show thoughtful thinking about why the quote matters.

3. Reflection Analysis Essay

Write a 1–2 page essay analyzing an important idea from your book.

Your essay should answer the following:

• What is the most important lesson, message, or idea in the book?
• How does the author develop this idea through events, people, or experiences in the text?
• Why does this idea matter today or connect to the real world?

Requirements:

• Clearly explain your thinking (not just summarize)
• Include at least 3 specific references to the novel
• Organized paragraphs with an introduction, body, and conclusion
• You may write in first-person, but do not over use it.
• Effort and thoughtful engagement with the book must be evident
• Times New Roman 12, double space, indented paragraphs

4. Slideshow:

• Slide 1: Title of book, a picture of the book’s cover, book’s author, your name.
• Slide 2: Genre (biography or autobiography; if it is neither, explain what you think the genre is), author’s purpose (persuade, inform, instruct, or entertain).
• Slide 3: Main idea (summarize this book in your own words; who or what is this nonfiction book about?) Avoid paragraphs.
• Slide 4: Evidence: (What information, facts, or examples does the author include to support the main idea or purpose?) Provide 3-5 examples.
• Slide 5: Nonfiction Elements: Provide 6-10 examples of nonfiction text features (table of contents, index, glossary, headings, boldface text, colored text, visual aids, captions, sidebar, footnotes, sources/bibliography page). Provide page numbers.
• Slide 6: Quotes: Provide examples of 3-5 important quotes and explain their importance. Provide page numbers.
• Slide 7: Lessons: What were some interesting facts or lessons you learned? Provide 5-10 examples.
• Slide 8: Connections: What prior knowledge did you have about this person or subject matter? Could you connect this book to something else you have read, seen, or experienced?
• Slide 9: Relevancy: Explain whether this book, this person, or the message is (still) important or relevant to today’s audience.
• Slide 10: Evaluation: Did you enjoy reading this book, why or why not? How would you rate this book? Explain your rating. Would you recommend others to read this book, why or why not?

Include relevant visuals

5. Written Comprehension Questions

Answer 10 questions about the book in complete sentences:

1. Who is the central figure in the book, and what is their situation at the beginning?

2. What is one major challenge or obstacle the person faces? Explain how it affects them.

3. Describe an important event or turning point in the book. Why is it significant?

4. What is one important lesson, message, or idea in the book, and how does the author develop this idea throughout the text?

5. Choose two important or unfamiliar words from the book. Define each word using context clues, and explain how understanding these words helps you better understand the text.

6. What qualities (character traits) does the main person show? Use at least one example.

7. How does the person change, grow, or respond to challenges over time?

8. What impact does this person have on others or the world around them?

9. What did you learn from this book? Be specific and explain.

10. Would you recommend this book? Why or why not? Support your answer with details.

Requirements:

• Responses must be thorough (3–5 sentences each)
• Include textual evidence or specific references (quote and page number)
• Demonstrate understanding of fictional elements.
• Effort and thoughtful engagement with the book must be evident

Summer Reading Rubric (25 Points – Project)

1. Literacy Understanding (5 points)

• Demonstrates a clear understanding of the book
• Includes accurate details about plot, people, setting, conflict, and/or theme
• Uses textual evidence appropriately

2. Following Directions (5 points)

• Completes all parts of the chosen project
• Follows instructions carefully
• Meets all stated requirements of the assignment

3. Content and Textual Evidence (5 points)

• Ideas are supported with specific references to the book
• Shows thoughtful engagement with the text
• Responses are relevant and accurate

4. Writing Quality (5 points)

• Writing is clear and organized
• Little to no grammar, spelling, punctuation, or usage errors
• Appropriate sentence structure and academic tone

5. Effort and Presentation (5 points)

• Work reflects time, effort, and care
• Neat, complete, and easy to read
• Project is organized

Important Notes

• Precision of language: All three books are nonfiction. When writing, try to avoid referring to the book as a “story” or “novel.” Instead, use terms such as text, book, or work. When appropriate, you may also refer to the genre (memoir, biography, or nonfiction). Using precise language will strengthen your writing and analysis.
• Students should complete their own work independently.
• Students should take pride in their work and choices.
• Projects must be original. No copying, plagiarizing, or using automated-generated applications.
• The reading test must be taken during the first two weeks of school.
• Projects are due on an assigned due date at the start of the school year.

If you have any questions about the assignment, please contact the teacher before the start of the school year.

Thank you.