Please refer to the following assignment for seventh grade religion.  (This assignment will be completed for both seventh grade classes)

 

The following is a writing assignment for the book The Outsiders assigned for seventh grade religion.  Please read the book by the first day of school.  We'll be using it to begin our discussion on religion, inspiration and coming of age.

 

Please answer the following questions in complete sentences that re-state the question.  Please type your responses. These questions are expected to be completed by the end of the first week of school.

 

 1.  List the main characters in the book.  Give a brief description for each of them, including physical description as well as their personality.

 

2.   Which character do you relate to the most?  Explain in detail why.

 

3.  Which character do you least relate to?  Why is this?  Explain in detail.

 

 4.  This particular novel is considered a modern American classic.  Do you think this only applies to young Americans?  For what reasons do you think it has earned this title?

 

5.  What lesson is this novel capable of teaching young adults your age? What smaller stories within it could be used to help young adults understand issues about growing up?

 

6.  Change the end of the story.  Explain why you would make the changes you did.  How does this affect the overall message of the story?  What could readers learn from your new ending?  Explain why you think the author chose to end the book the way she did.

 

*A note on expectations of writing: this summer reading is designed to get you prepared for the upcoming year.  It is expected that your written answers express complete thought.  Please try your best.  We are not seeking paragraphs and paragraphs of writing, only that you have responded thoughtfully and completely to each question.