English 8 Roanoke Catholic Summer Reading Assignment
English 8 Roanoke Catholic Summer Reading Assignment Over the summer, students are required to read the first part of The Book Thief, by Markus Zusak. Students should read through page 238, and complete the attached assignment.
The assignment is divided into 5 sections (designated by page numbers), which should aid students in pacing and creating an individualized reading schedule. The COMPLETED assignment is due on the first day of school, and will be worth 50 points.
*We will continue to read the novel as a class (typically, one section will be due each week) so it is crucial to have read through page 238 by the due date so as not to start out the year already behind!
The Book Thief Part 1 (p. 3-45) READER-RESPONSE QUESTIONS *Answer in complete sentences What do you think of the author’s choice to have Death as the narrator? Do you think the setting has anything to do with that decision?
Re-read the bolded lines at the top of page 23. If we assume that Death is not only talking about the guards or grave diggers, what bigger point might he be making? (Hint: consider the setting)
Why is Liesel sent to live with the Hubermanns at age 9? What do we know about her past and her family?
Why did Liesel steal her first book (Include the page number where you find the answer)
Page #_____
LITERARY ANALYSIS Find scenes in the section that SUPPORT the statement given. Briefly summarize the scene(s) chosen (include the page number) and explain HOW/WHY the scene supports the statement. The narrator, Death, is portrayed as empathetic towards humans and deeply affected by his “job.” Example: Page: 4-5 Death talks about the stress of his role and the need to cope through distraction. He talks about the humans who it hurts to watch (that he “can’t stand to look at”). That doesn’t sound cold or impassive (like we might expect Death to be). Page:____ Scene:
The Book Thief Part 2 (p. 46-90) READER-RESPONSE QUESTIONS *Answer in complete sentences Among the adult residents of Himmel Street, we are introduced to characters who symbolize multiple reactions to Hitler and the Third Reich. Identify and explain each, with page numbers for reference. a.) An adult character who completely embraces/supports Hitler's Third Reich: Page #_____:
b.) An adult character who opposes and hates Hitler's Third Reich: Page #_____:
c.) An adult character who is conflicted (does not fully support OR opposes the ideology of the Third Reich) Page #_____:
Discuss the significance of the conversation between Rudy and his father after the "Jesse Owen's incident" and their contrasting viewpoints.
LITERARY ANALYSIS Find scenes in the section that SUPPORT the statement given. Briefly summarize the scene(s) chosen (include the page number) and explain HOW/WHY the scene supports the statement. In this section, reading/books lead to both positive and negative effects for Liesel. Page:____ POSITIVE Scene:
Page:____ NEGATIVE Scene:
The Book Thief Part 3 (p. 91-137) READER-RESPONSE QUESTIONS *Answer in complete sentences Discuss the conflict between Hans and his son, Hans Jr.
Discuss what happens between Hans and Liesel on p.115-117. Why does Hans react the way that he does?
What might be the possible symbolism of the book burning? (And of Liesel saving one book, which burns her skin?)
LITERARY ANALYSIS Find scenes in the section that SUPPORT the statement given. Briefly summarize the scene(s) chosen (include the page number) and explain HOW/WHY the scene supports the statement. Throughout this section, clues about her mother's fate bring Liesel to a more grim, adult understanding of her own situation AND that of her society. Page:____ Scene:
Page:____ Scene:
The Book Thief Part 4 (p. 138-184) READER-RESPONSE QUESTIONS *Answer in complete sentences Discuss the character of Isla Hermann, the mayor’s wife. What do we learn about her in this section, and what do you think leads her to feel a connection with Liesel?
What do we learn about Hans’s experiences in WW1, and how do those experiences affect his feelings and actions later in life?
LITERARY ANALYSIS Find scenes in the section that SUPPORT the statement given. Briefly summarize the scene(s) chosen (include the page number) and explain HOW/WHY the scene supports the statement. As narrator, Death does not always tell the story in a purely linear, chronological fashion. He sometimes shifts focus and gets side-tracked, telling the reader about the ultimate fate of a character or historical event outside of Liesel's immediate story, or skipping back and forth in the story's timeline, foreshadowing or even revealing events still to come. Page:____ Scene:
Page:____ Scene:
Page:____ Scene:
The Book Thief Part 5 (p. 185-238) READER-RESPONSE QUESTIONS *Answer in complete sentences Discuss Max’s characterization and your impression of his character. Include at least 3 details from this section which provide characterization (include page numbers) and explain what each scene shows about his personality. a.) Page #_____:
b.) Page #_____:
c.) Page #_____:
Describe the early interactions between Liesel and Max, focusing on how their relationship develops between pages 205-222. What ultimately leads to a forged connection between them?
Discuss the message of “The Standover Man” and the symbolism of HOW Max creates it.
Final Thoughts What is your opinion of the novel so far? Explain.
The assignment is divided into 5 sections (designated by page numbers), which should aid students in pacing and creating an individualized reading schedule. The COMPLETED assignment is due on the first day of school, and will be worth 50 points.
*We will continue to read the novel as a class (typically, one section will be due each week) so it is crucial to have read through page 238 by the due date so as not to start out the year already behind!
The Book Thief Part 1 (p. 3-45) READER-RESPONSE QUESTIONS *Answer in complete sentences What do you think of the author’s choice to have Death as the narrator? Do you think the setting has anything to do with that decision?
Re-read the bolded lines at the top of page 23. If we assume that Death is not only talking about the guards or grave diggers, what bigger point might he be making? (Hint: consider the setting)
Why is Liesel sent to live with the Hubermanns at age 9? What do we know about her past and her family?
Why did Liesel steal her first book (Include the page number where you find the answer)
Page #_____
LITERARY ANALYSIS Find scenes in the section that SUPPORT the statement given. Briefly summarize the scene(s) chosen (include the page number) and explain HOW/WHY the scene supports the statement. The narrator, Death, is portrayed as empathetic towards humans and deeply affected by his “job.” Example: Page: 4-5 Death talks about the stress of his role and the need to cope through distraction. He talks about the humans who it hurts to watch (that he “can’t stand to look at”). That doesn’t sound cold or impassive (like we might expect Death to be). Page:____ Scene:
The Book Thief Part 2 (p. 46-90) READER-RESPONSE QUESTIONS *Answer in complete sentences Among the adult residents of Himmel Street, we are introduced to characters who symbolize multiple reactions to Hitler and the Third Reich. Identify and explain each, with page numbers for reference. a.) An adult character who completely embraces/supports Hitler's Third Reich: Page #_____:
b.) An adult character who opposes and hates Hitler's Third Reich: Page #_____:
c.) An adult character who is conflicted (does not fully support OR opposes the ideology of the Third Reich) Page #_____:
Discuss the significance of the conversation between Rudy and his father after the "Jesse Owen's incident" and their contrasting viewpoints.
LITERARY ANALYSIS Find scenes in the section that SUPPORT the statement given. Briefly summarize the scene(s) chosen (include the page number) and explain HOW/WHY the scene supports the statement. In this section, reading/books lead to both positive and negative effects for Liesel. Page:____ POSITIVE Scene:
Page:____ NEGATIVE Scene:
The Book Thief Part 3 (p. 91-137) READER-RESPONSE QUESTIONS *Answer in complete sentences Discuss the conflict between Hans and his son, Hans Jr.
Discuss what happens between Hans and Liesel on p.115-117. Why does Hans react the way that he does?
What might be the possible symbolism of the book burning? (And of Liesel saving one book, which burns her skin?)
LITERARY ANALYSIS Find scenes in the section that SUPPORT the statement given. Briefly summarize the scene(s) chosen (include the page number) and explain HOW/WHY the scene supports the statement. Throughout this section, clues about her mother's fate bring Liesel to a more grim, adult understanding of her own situation AND that of her society. Page:____ Scene:
Page:____ Scene:
The Book Thief Part 4 (p. 138-184) READER-RESPONSE QUESTIONS *Answer in complete sentences Discuss the character of Isla Hermann, the mayor’s wife. What do we learn about her in this section, and what do you think leads her to feel a connection with Liesel?
What do we learn about Hans’s experiences in WW1, and how do those experiences affect his feelings and actions later in life?
LITERARY ANALYSIS Find scenes in the section that SUPPORT the statement given. Briefly summarize the scene(s) chosen (include the page number) and explain HOW/WHY the scene supports the statement. As narrator, Death does not always tell the story in a purely linear, chronological fashion. He sometimes shifts focus and gets side-tracked, telling the reader about the ultimate fate of a character or historical event outside of Liesel's immediate story, or skipping back and forth in the story's timeline, foreshadowing or even revealing events still to come. Page:____ Scene:
Page:____ Scene:
Page:____ Scene:
The Book Thief Part 5 (p. 185-238) READER-RESPONSE QUESTIONS *Answer in complete sentences Discuss Max’s characterization and your impression of his character. Include at least 3 details from this section which provide characterization (include page numbers) and explain what each scene shows about his personality. a.) Page #_____:
b.) Page #_____:
c.) Page #_____:
Describe the early interactions between Liesel and Max, focusing on how their relationship develops between pages 205-222. What ultimately leads to a forged connection between them?
Discuss the message of “The Standover Man” and the symbolism of HOW Max creates it.
Final Thoughts What is your opinion of the novel so far? Explain.
