Summer Work

Summer Reading Assignment

Please read (2) books from this list of books above.  I will not allow "your own choice" as substitutes for this assignment.  After reading, choose one book to write a book report on, and one book to fill out the 2 page graphic organizer for. 

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BOOK ONE:  Please use the following format to write your book report 

 FOURTH GRADE BOOK REPORT FORMAT

Student Name

Date

Title of Book

Author

Publisher

Genre

Book Title 

Setting and Time  (At least 2 paragraphs)

Describe the time (period of history) and setting (place) of the story.  If the time in which the book takes place is not stated, make an educated guess from details you read.  If the book is a fantasy, state that, and describe the time as past, present, future, or a fantasy world combining different times.

Setting describes the physical features of the place(s) in which the book happens.  Include country, state, city or town, if known.  If characters are on a journey, describe the different geographic areas through which they pass. Describe the home, whether its location is rural or urban, school, and any other descriptive details of the place in which the book is set.

Main Character  (2 paragraphs)

Choose the main character in the book.  The main character is central to your conflict and main event. In  paragraph one, give a detailed physical description of the character, including age, size, features of face and hair, build, and any distinguishing characteristics of smile, walk, posture, etc.

        In the second paragraph, select four important character traits - a trait is something that distinguishes a person.  They might be friendly or annoying, or thoughtful or thoughtless, etc.  For each trait selected, include two examples of this personality trait from the book.  Identify the ways the character changes or grows as a person as a result of the events in the story.

The Conflict (at least 2 paragraphs)

          Describe the most important problem the characters in the book must face.  Some examples of universal conflicts in books include character against nature, character against another character, character against himself, and character against the unknown (magic, fate)  Use at least three of the most important specific examples from your book to support your choice of conflict.  (At least two paragraphs)

The Main Event  (2-4 paragraphs)

The main event describes the events in which the conflict you have described

is resolved.  If survival is the conflict, the events which describe how the characters deal with life - threatening events to achieve a final goal, would be the main event.  If the conflict is character against himself, the main event would describe how your character changes in order to solve the conflict, and perhaps the price the character must pay to achieve this change.   

The Conclusion  (2 paragraphs)

Describe the author’s purpose in writing the book

• Some examples of purpose might be to entertain, to inform, to explain, or to persuade.  The author’s purpose is the reason for presenting a story in a certain way.  (1paragraph)

Describe the effects this book had on you

•  In what ways did the author entertain, inform, explain or persuade you?  (1 paragraph) 

Would you recommend this book to a classmate?  Explain why you would or why you would not recommend the book, (its strengths and/or weaknesses) and your own conclusion.  (1 paragraph)

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BOOK TWO:  Please print out and fill in the 2-page Character Graphic Organizer which is available below.  

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READING LOG:  The second task over the summer is to keep a Reading Log.  A Reading Log is attached at the bottom of this page.  Use this log to keep track of your two books and any other books that you read over the summer.  I want to see you reading a lot!  There is plenty of time to do that now, so take advantage of it!

Have a wonderful summer!