10 Novel Studies from 4th-8th Grade

 Investing in a novel study is a big commitment for a teacher. Not only are you sacrificing precious time to invest in a story, but you are relying on the story to provide meaningful instruction to students. Here are some great stories that my students have loved in the order that we typically read them over a four year time period. 

1. Clementine- Clementine is a story about a little girl whose crazy ideas get her into trouble. It is a really readable story that opens a fresh start to a new school year. This story builds confidence with my students as it is a simple read. I typically only use it with my struggling readers, and they really enjoy it. 

2. Because of Winn Dixie- This is a wonderful read and is unique because it has profound themes but is set on a simpler reading level. Set in a small southern town, readers watch a little girl navigate the struggles of the world with a furry new best friend. I usually allow my students to read most of this story independently and then we unpack it as a group. This is a great opportunity for students to engage with literature on their own. 

3. The World According to Humphrey- My students love reading about Humphrey, the friendly classroom hamster and how he works to help the students in his class! This is a great novel to kick off the year because it is set in the fall. It also encourages students to read on their own as there are many Humphrey books in the series. 

4. Frindle- This is a personal favorite! Nick is a young boy with big ideas, but he isn’t quite prepared for one of his ideas to take off. I usually use this in small groups and allow students to read most of it on their own.

5. I Survived- I Survived is a great historical fiction series that takes readers to key moments in history from the lens of a child who witnessed or even participated in crucial events. I replaced a unit from the textbook on the American Revolution with the I Survived rendition and my students ate it up. I never realized how many history buffs I had in my class until we read one of these stories!

6. The Sign of the Beaver- This story is surprisingly one of my students’ favorites. It follows the interactions between two young boys: one is a pioneer while the other is an Indian. This story sheds a beautiful light on the reality of home displacement for the Indians and has introduced many meaningful conversations to my classroom.  

7. Number the Stars- If you love the Giver, you will be pleased to know that Lois Lowry penned many other fantastic novels. This story follows a young girl who is surviving in Denmark during the Holocaust. My students were engaged from start to finish with this remarkable story. 

8. Tuck Everlasting- Who you live forever if you could? A young girl goes for a walk in the forest and discovers a family with a big secret. Everything about this story is magical- the characters, the language, the descriptions. We often unpack this story as a whole-group and my students love every second of it.  

9. The Watsons go to Birmingham- There is never more laughter in my classroom than when we read this story! This is another historical fiction piece that follows a family traveling to Alabama during the bombings in the 60s. The author takes an engaging approach to introduce a difficult topic which translates into a wonderful learning opportunity. 

10. The Outsiders- This is a timeless classic written by a fifteen-year-old who perfectly encapsulates the feuds between “the Greasers” and “the Socs” in the 60s. My students love being transported to another time to see teenagers from a different era.