Welcome to Seventh Grade!

Dear incoming seventh graders,
Over the summer, you will be responsible for reading three books. The first book is Among the Hidden by Margaret Peterson Haddix, which has been chosen for all incoming seventh graders to read. You may choose the second and third books from the list here. However, if you have a book in mind that you would like to read that is NOT on the list, that is totally fine. I want you to find books that you love and enjoy reading! Whether you choose books from the list or not, please make sure that you are choosing books that you have not already read!
If you have any questions, you can email me at cfernandez@notredameint.org.

Mandatory Book: Among the Hidden by Margaret Peterson Haddix Luke has never been to school. He's never had a birthday party, or gone to a friend's house to hang out. In fact, Luke has never had a friend. Luke is one of the shadow children, a third child forbidden by the Population Police. He's lived his entire life in hiding, and now, with a new housing development replacing the woods next to his family's farm, he is no longer even allowed to go outside. Then, one day Luke sees a girl's face in the window of a house where he knows two other children already live. Finally, he's met a shadow child like himself. Jen is willing to risk everything to come out of the shadows -- does Luke dare to become involved in her dangerous plan? Can he afford not to?

For the mandatory book, choose ONE of the following assignments. You will also be presenting your assignment in class.

Epic poem: An epic poem is a long, narrative poem that tells an exciting story. Write an epic poem retelling the story of Among the Hidden. Your poem must include the following:

• Coverage of all major characters, plot points, setting, and major conflicts

• A minimum of 20 lines

• A consistent rhyme scheme. 
   

Book review slideshow: Using either Google Slides, Prezi, or PowerPoint, create a slideshow that reviews Among the Hidden. Your presentation must include the following: 

• A brief summary of the plot, setting, and main conflict

• An overview of each of the major characters (who they are, their personality traits, their role in the story)

• What you liked and disliked about the book, and why

• A balance of both text and images (please don’t fill up entire slides with text!)

• A minimum of five slides, NOT including title or ending slides (there is no maximum, but please don’t go too crazy!)  
   

Movie soundtrack: Create a soundtrack that could be used for a movie version of Among the Hidden. Your soundtrack must include the following:

• At least four songs that would work in a soundtrack of the novel. The lyrics should be relevant to the characters, plot, setting, conflict, mood, and/or themes in the novel.

• A one-paragraph description/summary for each song which explains why the song fits the characters, plot, setting, conflicts, mood, and/or themes. (If you choose to include more than 4 songs, you do not have to have a description for the extra songs.) 

• The title and artist of each song

• OPTIONAL: A playlist (using Spotify, YouTube, Apple Music, etc.) containing all of the songs.
   

Journal: Write four journal entries as you read Among the Hidden. Journal entries should be at least one paragraph (5 sentences minimum) long. You may either handwrite or type your entries. Here are a list of topics that you can use, but you may use your own ideas as well. You do NOT have to cover every single topic. Feel free to include your drawings or artwork as well!

• Why you chose the book
• Whether or not you are enjoying the book, and WHY
• How the book makes you feel
• A brief summary of what part you are up to
• What you predict will happen
• Something that you’re wondering about or that you don’t understand 
• What you think the themes are (or the author’s message)
• How you feel about a character 
• How the setting affects the characters
• A connection you can make to another book (or a movie, TV show, or other media), to something in the world, or to your own life