For suggestions, check the reading lists provided by the Staples English Department in the Westport Public Library, the Staples LMC, or Barnes & Noble. The Westport Public Library website will also have resources for you ( www.westportlibrary.org). If you are an eighth grader, you might consult book lists provided by Coleytown and Bedford Middle Schools. Or, talk to your friends, parents, or teachers about their recommendations.

Consider the following questions as you read. Answer EACH question on a 3x5 index card. You are expected to bring your index cards to your English class on the first day of school. Be prepared to work with your books during the first few days of class. (These questions apply to full and complete texts rather than collections of short stories.)

Enjoy your reading!

1. What was the most challenging or surprising aspect of your book? Explain.

2. Choose two quotations that are significant to the meaning of the book. Copy each onto a separate index card. For each quotation, explain its importance to the book as a whole on the other side of the card.

3. What does this book reveal about human nature? Life? From your experience, do you agree or disagree?

4. What connections can you make to this book? Have you read other books or seen films that address similiar issues or topics? Does this book connect to your own personal experiences? Explain.