Download Battle of the Books: A Hero`s Journey 3 rd Trimester Book Project

Battle of the Books:
A Hero’s Journey
3rd Trimester Book Project
Are you tired of being told which novel you have to read? Well, now is your chance to
choose the novel that interests you! You, along with a small group of students in your
section, will read the novel and enter into a 7th grade
Battle of the Books!
Are you ready to enter a land where your knowledge will be tested and your creativity will
be illustrated? Will your team leave 7th grade in June with TOP PRIZES? Your first task
is to choose one of the novels listed below. You will be put into a small group of students.
You may choose your group by all selecting the same novel, or I will be happy to place you in
a novel study group. Read through your options and sign the contract at the bottom of
this information sheet. Please note:
Your contract is due on Wednesday, March 24th .
You must have your novel in class on Wednesday, March 31st.
The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
It is the first book of the Hunger Games trilogy.[2] It introduces sixteenyear-old Katniss Everdeen, who lives in a post-apocalyptic world where a
powerful government called the Capitol has risen up after several
devastating disasters. In the book, the Hunger Games are an annual
televised event where the ruthless and evil Capitol randomly selects one boy
and one girl from each of the twelve districts, who are then pitted against
each other in a game of survival until only one remains.
The second book in the series, Catching Fire, was published on September 1,
2009,[3] and the third book, Mockingjay, is slated for release on August 24,
2010.[4]
Reading level: young adult (Enjoyed immensely by other 7th grade St.
John’s students. A quick read!)
384 pages
Stargirl by Jerry Spinelli
Stargirl is as magical as the desert sky, but when students of Mica High
turn on Stargirl for everything that makes her different, Leo urges her to
become the very thing that can destroy her: normal.
NOTE: This is NOT just for girls! It is actually a story told from the
perspective of a boy.
Ages: 12+
186 pages
** Reading the other four Percy Jackson books is a prerequisite.
Al Capone Does My Shirts Gennifer Choldenko
In this widely acclaimed novel taking place in 1935, a 12-year-old boy
moves to Alcatraz Island where his father works as a guard – contending
with his extraordinary new environment in addition to life with his
autistic sister. An afterword by the author provides a short history of the
island-prison.
Ages: 9-12
240 pages
Tangerine by Edward Bloor
Legally blind, Paul Fisher lives his life in the shadow of his football
star brother, but ugly things become clear when they move to a new
town.
Ages: 9-12
324 pages
The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkein
The Hobbit follows the quest of home-loving Bilbo Baggins to win a share of the
treasure guarded by the dragon, Smaug. Bilbo's journey takes him from lighthearted, country surroundings into darker, deeper territory. The story is told in
the form of a quest, and most chapters introduce a specific creature, or type of
creature, of Tolkien's Wilderland.
Reading level: ages 9-12
320 pages
(Copies of this novel are available to borrow from Mrs. Nishimi.)
The City of Ember by Jeanne Duprau
The story is a post-apocalyptic novel about the city of Ember, an underground
city that is slowly running out of power and supplies, due to the aging
infrastructure of the city. The young protagonist, Lina Mayfleet, and her friend,
Doon Harrow, manage to decode a message and follow clues left behind by the
original builders of the City of Ember that would lead them to safety in the
outside world of Earth.
Reading level: ages 9-12
270 pages
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------(Return this portion to class on March 24, 2010)
3rd Trimester Book Project Contract
Name ____________________________
Section _____________
My first choice of novels: _______________________________________
My second choice of novels: _____________________________________
(You will need to bring your novel to class on March 31st. Consider checking the
book out from the St. John’s library, your local library, or borrow from a friend!)