The Best Books for 9th Graders
The stories we read in our youth can be invaluable tools to develop vital skills that we can take with us for the rest of our lives, including reading, comprehension, grammar, spelling, and more. However, the lessons we learn through reading expand far beyond practical application. Stories have the power to communicate moral, spiritual, and holy truths that can shape the way we experience the world and empathize with others.
For most of us, adolescence is a uniquely challenging time. Young teenagers are just now starting to develop their individual identities and world-views. As parents and educators, it’s important to prioritize books that enrich our students’ educational and personal journeys and encourage them to think deeply about their relationship with God and the world around them.
9th Grade Novel Studies
Total Language Plus has developed a number of extensive and enriching novel study guides for students of all ages. Here is our list of the best books for 9th grade novel studies.
The Yearling
Written by American author Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings and published in 1938, The Yearling tells the story of Jody Baxter, a young boy living with his parents in rural Florida in the 1870s. Jody has always wanted a pet to call his own, and when his parents finally allow him to adopt a fawn that he calls Flag, he goes on a journey of discovery and learns what growing up really means.
The novel follows Jody as he grows into adolescence and adulthood and throughout the story, he must face challenges including disastrous floods, death and bereavement, hunger, and loneliness. Along the way he learns valuable lessons including the meaning of sacrifice, responsibility, and maturity.
This Pulitzer Prize winning novel, in conjunction with TLP’s corresponding study guide, is ideal for 9th grade students. It allows them to explore literary and philosophical concepts in a way that is age-appropriate and deeply engaging. The Yearling beautifully blends hardships and tragedy with tender moments and uplifting messages.
With our comprehensive study guide, students will be provided a holistic learning experience in their novel studies through prompts, activities, and exercises that will improve their comprehension skills and vocabulary. It will also help them develop critical literary minds while exploring biblical truths in a way that is both intellectual gripping, and emotionally resonant.
Dragon’s Blood
Dragon’s Blood is the first book in a fantasy trilogy written by Jane Yolen. The novel, published in 1982, is set in the distant future, on a desert planet called Austar IV. The reader follows a young bond servant named Jakkin who works in a dragon nursery run by the Master Sarkkhan.
Living under what essentially amounts to slavery, Jakkin dreams of buying his freedom. In order to do so, he decides to steal a dragon egg from the nursery and use it to compete in the dragon fighting pits to secure the prize of gold. Throughout the story, Jakkin trains his dragon in secret, doing whatever is necessary to hide his plan from Master Sarkkhan while meeting friends and learning valuable lessons about freedom, courage, and redemption along the way.
Dragon’s Blood is a uniquely entertaining blend of science fiction and fantasy that contends with complex topics such as slavery, fear, and resilience. The novel is full of adventure, meaning that 9th grade students will not only gain tremendous educational value through the book itself and TLP’s comprehensive study guide, but also find enjoyment in the unique characters and expansive world.
Our study guide is broken up into weekly units, allowing learners to work section by section, delving into the intricacies of the story and relevant themes. Teens will also benefit in their novel studies by further developing their critical thinking, grammar, vocabulary, and writing skills through activities and exercises.
The Bronze Bow
The 1961 historical fiction novel, The Bronze Bow, was written by Elizabeth George Speare. Set in Galilee, Israel in the first century, the book follows Daniel Bar Jamin, a young jewish man who has suffered immense loss and wants nothing more than to destroy the Romans and avenge the death of his father and uncle.
As his rebel leader assembles a force to defeat the Romans once and for all, Daniel learns of a visiting preacher, Jesus of Nazareth, who speaks of God and the Kingdom of Heaven. Though he is initially skeptical, Daniel is moved by Christ’s teachings, and begins to question his desire for revenge.
The Bronze Bow is a wonderful Chrtistian-based book for 9th grade novel studies. By following a young man who lives in the time of Christ, the reader is able to develop a unique understanding of Jesus and his message from a historical, real-world perspective.
The novel and TLP’s study guide offers students an opportunity to explore biblical truths and concepts while also learning about deeply relevant historical contexts. Each unit will offer unique learning tools to help refine skills in reading, writing, spelling, and critical thought with enriching activities, field trips, writing assignments, and more.