8th Grade

SUMMER READING REQUIREMENTS-8TH GRADE GT and Honors

Students must read one of the following two novels: Swallowing Stones by Joyce McDonald or The Giver by Lois Lowry.

You must complete the following assignment due on the first day of school. You will also be given a quiz over the reading the first week of school.

Character Analysis (Requirements)

Directions: After reading the novel Swallowing Stones by Joyce McDonald or The Giver by Lois Lowry, you will complete a character analysis. The character analysis should be typed, double spaced, size 12 font times new romans or verdana styles and in paragraph form. The analysis should reflect a clear understanding of what has been read. This is not a summary of the book, but insight into the characters that are included in the plot of the novel.

You will select two characters from the novel you chose and write a series of paragraphs under the following headings:

• Characters’ physical and mental traits

Describe the physical and mental traits of both characters.

• Characters’ motivation

Discuss the motivations of both characters.

• Characters’ conflict

Determine whether the characters have an internal or external conflict and discuss how this drives the plot for each character.

• Characters’ influence on the plot

Discuss how both the characters' traits have affected the plot of the story, and what would be the resolution of the plot in the novel if the characters’ traits were different.

• Characters’ type

Would these two characters be considered main or minor characters; antagonists or protagonists?

• Characters’ growth

Would these characters be considered dynamic or static?

Choose one of the following two novels