Particiapte in cross-grade level experience which broadens social skills. Pair students from one 4th grade class with one 8th grade class. Allow students to email their partners and introduce themselves. It is the story of Deborah Sampson. Both groups can write and answer questions for each chapter or alternate which groups writes and which answers.
Students continue emailing back and forth to ask and answer questions.
They can also discuss the book, their reactions, opinions etc. At the conclusion of the book partners can write a summaries of the book and compare them. They could use the internet for this and pass any information along to their partner. They should include any helpful or interesting websites they use. They could use internet sites, resource materials, and books related to their topic.