Assignment Guidelines

This summer, you read one of several books whose characters traveled life-changing journeys and confronted difficult decisions. Perhaps you have experienced situations that, though not identical, produced similar conflict. Identifying with characters in the books we read is an effective way to interact with a text and deepen our understanding of its theme or lesson. Maybe this is because characters reflect people we know, and often, their personality traits are ones we possess as well.

With that in mind, reflect on the characters in your summer reading book and make a personal connection to one of them. Go beyond the obvious links to gender and hobbies. Instead, search to find similarities in personality traits, reactions to conflict, feelings, or goals.

To support your point, include specific examples from your life as well as from the book, but do not summarize the plot. Include title of book at top of the page. Typed, double spaced, 12 pt. font, standard type (i.e., Times or Arial). No cover page needed.

List of Books

The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd

The Five People You Meet in Heaven by Mitch Albom

The House of the Scorpion by Nancy Farmer

Touching Spirit Bear by Ben Mikaelsen

The Locket by Richard Paul Evans

A Tree Grows in Brooklyn by Betty Smith

Fire Bringer by David Clement-Davies

Watership Down by Richard Adams

Graphic Organizer

Feel free to use this structure for organizing your essay.

Although its use is not mandatory, some students may find it helpful.

Introduction: In two or three sentences, provide an overview of the novel’s plot. (Do not retell the whole story!) In the description, mention the title of the book and the author’s name .

Transition: Begin the transition with “Although,” “Even though,” or “Though” and then state that though your life may seem to be nothing like the character’s life, there are similarities.

Thesis: Clearly state what these similarities are. (Choose 2 similarities) (This is your “promise” to your reader.)

First Body Paragraph: In five or six sentences, describe one situation/event from the book that reminds you of a similar situation in your life. Or, you may choose to refer to a character’s thoughts or actions that remind you of your own life.

Second Body Paragraph: Begin with “Similarly,” “In the same way,” or “I, too, have . . .” and then describe the event from your own life that is similar to the one described in the first body paragraph.

Third Body Paragraph: Describe another situation/event from the book (or an example of a character’s thoughts/actions) that remind you of a similar situation in your life.

Fourth Body Paragraph: Begin with “Similarly,” “In the same way,” or “I, too, have . . .” and then describe the event from your own life that is similar to the one described in the previous body paragraph. (Choose a different transition to the one you used before – or make up your own transition.)

Conclusion: Briefly explain how understanding what happens to this character or learning what he or she endured can help you live your life today. Alternatively, explain what you now value as a result of reflecting on this book.