7th Grade Reading List -- Choice

This summer, 7th graders have been assigned to read two books. One is a book of their choice. That means they can read anything they want. Anything! Maybe it’s the new Sarah Dessen book, The Moon and More or the next installment in the Theodore Boone series written by John Grisham.

The other book must have the theme: CHOICE. Confused? Most of the parents and soon-to-be 7th graders we’ve helped in the last few days are very confused. Students are taught early about the different genres:  fantasy, historical fiction, mystery, science fiction, and humor, but selecting a book based on its theme is a bit more challenging.  We don’t have a sticker to put on the spine that identifies the theme.
But, never fear! Your librarians at the public library can help.

The theme CHOICE is when the main character is forced to make a decision -- a choice -- that will change him in some way.

Let’s look at Fallen Angels by Walter Dean Myers. Set in 1967 during the Vietnam War, seventeen-year-old Richie Perry is uncertain about his future, so he chooses to enlist in

the Army. Richie has some unrealistic ideas about war which are challenged when he witnesses firsthand the brutality and senseless loss of life during his year-long stay in Vietnam. Richie made a choice to enlist and throughout the book he must deal with his decision and we, the reader, sees how it will forever change him.

Other books would be:
Peeled by Joan Bauer. In an upstate New York farming community, high school reporter Hildy Biddle investigates a series of strange occurrences at a house rumored to be haunted. But when the school principal forces the newspaper to suspend operation, Hildy and the other student reports find a way to publish the truth.

Hanging on to Max by Margaret Bechard. “When his girlfriend decides to give their baby away, seventeen-year-old Sam is determined to keep him and raise him alone.”

Dead End in Norvelt by Jack Gantos. “In the historic town of Norvelt, Pennsylvania, twelve-year-old Jack Gantos spends the summer of 1962 grounded for various offenses until he is assigned to help an elderly neighbor with a most unusual chore involving the newly dead, molten wax, twisted promises, Girl Scout cookies, underage driving, lessons from history, typewriting, and countless bloody noses.”

Hattie Big Sky by Kirby Larsen. After inheriting her uncle's homesteading claim in Montana, sixteen-year-old orphan Hattie Brooks travels from Iowa in 1917 to make a home for herself and encounters some unexpected problems related to the war being fought in Europe.The Library is very happy to recommend other books where the character, faced with a tough decision, must make a life-changing choice.

DIG INTO READING - SUMMER 2013

Dig Into Reading is our theme for the 2013 Summer Reading Program, which is generously funded by the Friends of the Scarborough Library. You can sign up at the Library or online. The deadline for registering is July 20. The Scarborough Public Library believes that children experience enough pressure throughout the school year, so our summer reading program is designed to be easy and fun.  All participants who turn in their reading logs by August 10, regardless of how many books or time spent reading will receive a FREE BOOK. We want to be sure your children stays motivated and avoid the Summer Slide. 

We have a reading program for children of all ages. Check out our Teen page for more information on our Teen Summer Reading Program.

HOW OUR PROGRAM WORKS

After signing up, we hand your child a reading log. Inside readers keep track of all the books they read on their own or books read to them.  We even accept audio books or if participants read to others, such as younger siblings, cousins, or as a mother’s helper.  Use library books or your own books, it makes no difference to us. We just want to be sure children are reading.

THE WALL OF FAME

Each time you visit the Library, bring the reading log. The Youth Services staff will stamp and give out stickers to place in the log. Then, participants will get another sticker to place on the WALL OF FAME. It’s a different color for every week! Stickers for THE WALL OF FAME are for visits to the Library, not to reward any quantity of books read. 

HOW DO WE FINISH?

Finishing is easy! Just turn in your child’s reading log by August 10. That’s it! By turning in the logs, children will then be able to attend THE GRANDE FINALE at 4:00 pm on Wednesday, August 14. At the party, we return reading logs, pass out certificates, and then children can select a FREE BOOK. (There are lots to choose from!) 

         OPTIONAL FUN – THE TREASURE MAP

In your child’s reading log there is a Treasure Map. Each square is a suggestion for a type of book or activity to introduce the variety of books found in the public library. For example, “Sample a Cookbook” encourages children to check out a cookbook and try a recipe. Other suggestions include, “Learn about Mummies,” “Read a Fairy Tale,” or “Read an Award Winning Book.” Start anywhere. Pick and choose squares or move sequentially.  Children who finish 12 squares will have their picture taken in front of the WALL OF FAME and the Library will make them a badge or refrigerator magnet.

AND DON’T FORGET THE TRIVIA QUESTIONS

Back by popular demand are some Trivia Questions.  This year we’ve given tips for searching in our online OPAC.

HOW TO I GET MY NAME ON A BOOKPLATE?

Children who finish 12 squares AND answer correctly the Trivia Questions will have their name placed on a bookplate that will be placed in a new library book. If you gave us your email at the time of registration, we will notify you of the author and title of the book the bookplate will be placed in.

IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS…

Please don’t hesitate to contact us if you have any questions regarding how the summer reading program works. Email: Kids(at)scarborough(dot)lib(d0t)me(dot)us or phone: 883-4723 ext 6277. We try and make it as simple as possible, but we want to be sure no one feels left out.  

ONE MORE TIME

1. Write down in the reading log the books your child reads on their own or is read to them throughout the summer.

2. With each visit to the Library, we will stamp and sticker their logs and give them another sticker to place on the WALL OF FAME.

3. To get a FREE BOOK, turn in reading logs by August 10. The Grand Finale will be held at 4:00 pm on Wednesday, August 14. 

4. The Treasure Map and Trivia questions are optional. They are ways to keep things interesting.

See you all @ the LIBRARY!