7TH GRADE SUMMER READING – OVERVIEW The school will LOAN YOU a copy of this book for the summer. The Circuit is a collection of twelve autobiographical stories by Francisco Jimenez. Francisco’s family illegally crossed the border with his family in 1947; the stories tell about the family’s “circuit,” or the route they follow picking cotton, strawberries, carrots and other crops. The family repeats the route for several years, struggling with constantly moving and poverty but surviving through hope, faith, family and hard work. Read the book. Keep it in good condition, please. Take notes using the note-taking system in this packet. Use your notes to help you on the 40-pt quiz when you come back to school. For EXTRA CREDIT on your summer reading: About This Book Monster is the exciting story of Steve Harmon, who is only 16 but on trial for murder and facing the death penalty. Steve loves making films and writes a movie script about his situation as he searches for the truth, about himself and his crime. Monster Praise for "Myers adeptly allows each character to speak for him or herself, leaving readers to judge for themselves." Booklist — Monster won the Coretta Scott King Honor Book Award and was a National Book Award Finalist! For extra credit, read Monster by Steve Harmon and write an open response over the summer which compares and contrasts the characters Steve (from Monster)and Francisco (from The Circuit. See Ms. Moore for more details BEFORE summer vacation if you’re interested in completing the ELA extra credit or email her at When you read a new story, you should take reading notes to help you interact with the text. This book has 12 stories about the same character. Every story should have 5 or more notes. When you go on to a new story, start a new page in the attached packet. Bring your notes to school with you in the Fall – they will be graded, and you can also use them to
7TH GRADE SUMMER READING – OVERVIEW The school will LOAN YOU a copy of this book for the summer. The Circuit is a collection of twelve autobiographical stories by Francisco Jimenez. Francisco’s family illegally crossed the border with his family in 1947; the stories tell about the family’s “circuit,” or the route they follow picking cotton, strawberries, carrots and other crops. The family repeats the route for several years, struggling with constantly moving and poverty but surviving through hope, faith, family and hard work. Read the book. Keep it in good condition, please. Take notes using the note-taking system in this packet. Use your notes to help you on the 40-pt quiz when you come back to school. For EXTRA CREDIT on your summer reading: About This Book Monster is the exciting story of Steve Harmon, who is only 16 but on trial for murder and facing the death penalty. Steve loves making films and writes a movie script about his situation as he searches for the truth, about himself and his crime. Praise for Monster "Myers adeptly allows each character to speak for him or herself, leaving readers to judge for themselves." — Booklist Monster won the Coretta Scott King Honor Book Award and was a National Book Award Finalist! For extra credit, read Monster by Steve Harmon and write an open response over the summer which compares and contrasts the characters Steve (from Monster)and Francisco (from The Circuit. See Ms. Moore for more details BEFORE summer vacation if you’re interested in completing the ELA extra credit or email her at When you read a new story, you should take reading notes to help you interact with the text. This book has 12 stories about the same character. Every story should have 5 or more notes. When you go on to a new story, start a new page in the attached packet. Bring your notes to school with you in the Fall – they will be graded, and you can also use them to