8th Grade Summer Reading - Chardon Local Schools

Dive into 8 th Grade Language Arts
with a good book!
If you play a sport, an instrument, or any type of game, you know
that practice is essential to mastering your level of expertise.
Reading is no different. In order to strengthen or just maintain your
reading skills, you must read over the summer. Your body needs the fun and sun that goes
along with summer, and your brain needs stimuli to keep it strong during those long, lazy
summer days.
Your parents and teachers care about your ability to build brain cells and reading skills, so we
are encouraging you to read this summer. You may choose to read numerous books, or just the
required one. A portion of your independent reading grade for language arts depends on it.
We’ve tried to make this exercise as painless as possible, so here are the requirements:
1. Obtain a copy of The House of the Scorpion by Nancy
Farmer. You may purchase a print copy of this book or a
digital copy.
2. Read the entire book and complete the SWBS* after each
chapter.
3. After reading the book, answer the extended response
question.
4. Submit your work to your language arts teacher on or
before Wednesday - September 4, 2013.
You may choose to complete this assignment at any point during the summer, or you may wait
until late August. This is your decision. However, please be aware of the fact that once school
begins, your teachers will have other assignments for you. It would certainly be in your best
interest to finish this book response before school starts. We will also use The House of the
Scorpion as a point of reference throughout the year. Thus it is imperative that you start the
new year prepared and on the right track.
*SWBS: “Somebody Wanted But So” is a simple and quick summarizing strategy that helps
students understand and remember what happens in a book.
• “Somebody” is the main character in the chapter.
• “Wanted” is what the character primarily wants or desires in the chapter.
• “But” is the problem or obstacle the character faces.
• “So” is how the character tries to solve the problem. This is usually toward the end of the
chapter.
English I Students: You must complete The House of the Scorpion book response and read
The Hobbit by J. R. R. Tolkien. There is no written response for The Hobbit. However you are
expected to participate in class discussions and pass a comprehension test.

Name MODS Score /50
The House of the Scorpion: SOMEBODY WANTED BUT SO
I. CHAPTER SUMMARIES: After reading each chapter, think about the most important aspects and complete the
chart below. Your “so” statement should come from the end of the chapter. (1 pt each)
Chapter 1: In the Beginning
Somebody Wanted But So
Chapter 2: The Little House in the Poppy Fields
Somebody Wanted But So
Chapter 3: Property of the Alacran Estate
Somebody Wanted But So
Chapter 4: Maria
Somebody Wanted But So
Chapter 5: Prison
Somebody Wanted But So
Chapter 6: El Patron
Somebody Wanted But So
Chapter 7: Teacher
Somebody Wanted But So
Chapter 8: The Eejit in the Dry Field
Somebody Wanted But So
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Chapter 9: The Secret Passage
Somebody Wanted But So
Chapter 10: A Cat with Nine Lives
Somebody Wanted But So
Chapter 11: The Giving and Taking of Gifts
Somebody Wanted But So
Chapter 12: The Thing on the Bed
Somebody Wanted But So
Chapter 13: The Lotus Pond
Somebody Wanted But So
Chapter 14: Celia’s Story
Somebody Wanted But So
Chapter 15: A Starved Bird
Somebody Wanted But So
Chapter 16: Brother Wolf
Somebody Wanted But So
Chapter 17: The Eejit Pens
Somebody Wanted But So
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Chapter 18: The Dragon Hoard
Somebody Wanted But So
Chapter 19: Coming-of-Age
Somebody Wanted But So
Chapter 20: Esperanza
Somebody Wanted But So
Chapter 21: Blood Wedding
Somebody Wanted But So
Chapter 22: Betrayl
Somebody Wanted But So
Chapter 23: Death
Somebody Wanted But So
Chapter 24: The Final Goodbye
Somebody Wanted But So
Chapter 25: The Farm Patrol
Somebody Wanted But So
Chapter 26: The Lost Boys
Somebody Wanted But So
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Chapter 27: A Five-legged Horse
Somebody Wanted But So
Chapter 28: The Plankton Factory
Somebody Wanted But So
Chapter 29: Washing a Dusty Mind
Somebody Wanted But So
Chapter 30: When the Whales Lost Their Legs
Somebody Wanted But So
Chapter 31: Ton-Ton
Somebody Wanted But So
Chapter 32: Found Out
Somebody Wanted But So
Chapter 33: The Boneyard
Somebody Wanted But So
Chapter 34: The Shrimp Harvester
Somebody Wanted But So
Chapter 35: El Dia de los Muertos
Somebody Wanted But So
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Chapter 36: The Castle on the Hill
Somebody Wanted But So
Chapter 37: Homecoming
Somebody Wanted But So
Chapter 38: The House of Eternity
Somebody Wanted But So
II. EXTENTED RESPONSE: While the setting in The Giver is considered a utopia, The
House of the Scorpion is one of dystopian. Yet there are many similarities in these situations.
Use the space below to describe at least three ways the societies are alike. Provide specific
textual evidence to support your argument and provide a clear explanation for each. Remember
to CSRQ. You may attach additional paper if necessary. (12 Points)
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