Middle School Summer Reading

Heartbeat by Sharon Creech

Students who use Read & Write Gold should already have downloaded

the book on their computer during the last week of school. Remember to use the Daisy file icon to access the book with

Read and Write Gold. Please email

kmacdonald@howardschool.org with any questions or concerns.

Dear Summer Readers:

We hope you enjoy the book Heartbeat by Sharon Creech. This book is unique in the way it is written; it is written in “free verse” poetry form. This means the story is told in the form of poetry that does not rhyme.

After you read, complete each of the following activities:

PoemOn pages 32-34, Annie writes a poem about the things she fears and loves. Write your own free verse poem about the things you fear and love. First, complete the attached “Fears and Loves” chart and then use the information to write your poem. Your poem should include all of the information from your chart. You can type your poem or used the attached sheet.

Journal EntriesOn page 28, Annie asks Max, “Why are we here on this earth? Am I supposed to do something important? It doesn’t seem enough to merely take up space on this planet . . .”

Write a one-paragraph journal entry that answers this question from Annie’s perspective.

Write a one-paragraph journal entry that answers this question from Max’s perspective.

Write a one-paragraph journal entry that answers this question from YOUR perspective.

You may type your journal entries or write them on the attached sheet.

REMEMBER: When you interpret someone else’s perspective, you have to put yourself in their shoes. Consider what you know about Annie and Max and think about what they might write.

Make sure you bring all of your finished work AND your book with you on the first day of school. We are looking forward to seeing you in August!

Enjoy your summer . . . and your reading!

-The Middle School Teachers

Fears and LovesThings I Fear . . . Why?

1)

2)

3)

4)

5)

Things I Love . . . Why?

1)

2)

3)

4)

5)

Fears and Loves Poem

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Journal EntriesOn page 28, Annie asks Max, “Why are we here on this earth? Am I supposed to do something important? It doesn’t seem enough to merely take up space on this planet . . .”

Journal Entry from Annie’s Perspective:

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Journal Entry from Max’s Perspective:

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Journal Entry from Your Perspective:

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