Novel Studies by Grade Level
These novel studies grade level groupings are just suggestions. Many combinations are possible and equally desirable. Reading level designation remains extremely subjective, causing even the experts to disagree.
Our grade level suggestions are based on a combination of reading level, maturity, content, and level of thinking required by the novel study. You are strongly encouraged to make up your own set. Usually three to five books are studied during the course of a school year.
Grade Level Packages
3rd Grade Package Contents:
The Courage of Sarah Noble Novel
The Courage of Sarah Noble Discovery Guide
Pippi Longstocking Novel
Pippi Longstocking Discovery Guide
The Whipping Boy Novel
The Whipping Boy Discovery Guide
From the Mixed Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler Novel
From the Mixed Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler Writing Guide
Charlotte’s Web Novel
Charlotte’s Web Discovery Guide
Teacher’s Manual
This 3rd grade package is appropriate for students ready to ready more difficult chapter books. They will relate to Sarah in Courage of Sarah Noble as she struggles to be brave and enjoy Pippi Lonstocking’s antics. The Whipping Boy is a “rollickin’ adventure filled with action and even if you’ve read Charlotte’s Web before, you will enjoy re-reading this timeless classic to analyze the characters and their friendships. The Writing Guide explores the skill of writing letters.
The Discovery Guides include instruction for reading comprehension, spelling, grammar and vocabulary. This is taught through written responses, critical thinking discussion questions and hands-on activities or projects. Biblical lessons are taught as they relate to the novel. The Writing Guides take an in-depth look at a specific writing skill. A yearly planning guide is included with the package.
4th Grade Package Contents:
Shiloh Novel
Shiloh Discovery Guide
Sign of the Beaver Novel
Sign of the Beaver Discovery Guide
Caddie Woodlawn Novel
Caddie Woodlawn Discovery Guide
Ben and Me Novel
Ben and Me Writing Guide
Twenty-One Balloons Novel
Twenty-One Balloons Discovery Guide
Teacher’s Manual
4th Graders will contemplate a dilemma in Shiloh with thought provoking questions, and learn about survival in the Sign of the Beaver. Ben and Me and Caddie Woodlawn both include historical context to learn about unique characters. Twenty-one Balloons takes students on a magical fantasy trip. The Writing Guide for Ben and Me focuses on constructing well written paragraphs.
The discovery guides include instruction for reading comprehension, spelling, grammar and vocabulary. This is taught through written responses, critical thinking discussion questions and hands-on activities or projects. Biblical lessons are taught as they relate to the novel. The Writing Guides take an in-depth look at a specific writing skill. A yearly planning guide is included with the package.
5th Grade Package Contents:
My Side of the Mountain Novel
My Side of the Mountain Discovery Guide
The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe Novel
The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe Discovery Guide
Island of the Blue Dolphins Novel
Island of the Blue Dolphins Writing Guide
Amos Fortune Free Man Novel
Amos Fortune Free Man Discovery Guide
Rifles for Wattie Novel
Rifles for Wattie Discovery Guide
Teacher’s Guide
Students will read about Sam’s adventures as he lives in the trunk of a tree and trains a falcon in My Side of the Mountain. The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe will capture your student as they fall in love with the characters and explore Christian themes. The Writing Guide for Island of the Blue Dolphins practices the use of similes, metaphors, strong verbs and other ways to make your students' writing more sophisticated. Amos Fortune Free Man will challenge you and your students to think critically about your Christian walk. Rifles for Wattie explores the topic of the civil war and the challenges associated with war.
The Discovery Guides include instruction for reading comprehension, spelling, grammar and vocabulary. This is taught through written responses, critical thinking discussion questions and hands-on activities or projects. Biblical lessons are taught as they relate to the novel. The Writing Guides take an in-depth look at a specific writing skill. A yearly planning guide is included with the package.
6th Grade Package Contents:
The Incredible Journey Novel
The Incredible Journey Discovery Guide
Carry on Mr. Bowditch Novel
Carry on Mr. Bowditch Discovery Guide
Where the Red Fern Grows Novel
Where the Red Fern Grows Discovery Guide
The Phantom Tollbooth Novel
The Phantom Tollbooth Writing Guide
Adam of the Road Novel
Adam of the Road Discovery Guide
Teacher’s Manual
The Incredible Journey takes students on a fast-paced adventure with lovable animals. The true story, Carry on M. Bowditch will inspire your student to do their best. In the book, Where the Red Fern Grows, a boy and his dog go on an adventure but the story is about much more than that including obvious spiritual principles. You will surely enjoy The Phantom Tollbooth’s humor and your student will learn about the 5-step writing process. Adam of the Road is entertaining and inspiring and is set during 13th Century England.
The Discovery Guides include instruction for reading comprehension, spelling, grammar and vocabulary. This is taught through written responses, critical thinking discussion questions and hands-on activities or projects. Biblical lessons are taught as they relate to the novel. The Writing Guides take an in-depth look at a specific writing skill. A yearly planning guide is included with the package.
7th Grade Package Contents:
The Giver Novel
The Giver Discovery Guide
The Door in the Wall Novel
The Door in the Wall Writing Guide
King of the Wind Novel
King of the Wind Discovery Guide
Julie of the Wolves Novel
Julie of the Wolves Discovery Guide
Words by Heart Novel
Words by Heart Discovery Guide
Johnny Tremain Novel
Johnny Tremain Discovery Guide
Teacher’s Manual
The Giver, takes students through a journey with Jonus the main character.The Door in the Wall provides students with a special message and the Writing Guide focuses on writing essays. The King of the Wind will draw you into a horse adventure based on a true story. Julie of the Wolves is a story of survival in the frozen wilderness and she is highly dependent on the wolves around her. Words by Heart is a Christian book that looks at more mature themes of justice and equality. Johnny Tremain’s main character is a silversmith but has an accident and must find new work that leads him to encounters with heroes from the American Revolution. Please note: The Giver and Julie of the Wolves have controversial themes.
The Discovery Guides include instruction for reading comprehension, spelling, grammar and vocabulary. This is taught through written responses, critical thinking discussion questions and hands-on activities or projects. Biblical lessons are taught as they relate to the novel. The Writing Guides take an in-depth look at a specific writing skill. A yearly planning guide is included with the package.
8th Grade Package Contents:
Treasure Island Novel
Treasure Island Discovery Guide
The Hobbit Novel
The Hobbit Discovery Guide
Anne of Green Gables Novel
Anne of Green Gables Discovery Guide
The Bronze Bow Novel
The Bronze Bow Discovery Guide
Crispin’ The Cross of Lead Novel
Crispin’ The Cross of Lead Writing Guide
The Light in the Forest Novel
The Light in the Forest Discovery Guide
Teacher’s Manual
8th Grade readers will look at the themes of identity, belonging and freedom through the lens of Christian morals. Treasure Island is an exciting and suspenseful adventure that includes a memorable villain. The classic tale of good and evil in The Hobbit sends readers into an imaginary world. Ann of Green Gables tells the story of the joys and sorrows of growing up. In The Bronze Bow, we watch the main character Daniel mature from living a life of revenge to feeling that just knowing Jesus is life-fulfilling. In Crispin’ The Cross of Lead, the main character, Crispin struggles with life’s challenges. Students learn to respond to these challenges in writing and cite scripture as evidence for their reasoning. In the book, The Light in the Forest, True Son is captured and raised by Indians but is later returned to his original family.
The Discovery Guides include instruction for reading comprehension, spelling, grammar and vocabulary. This is taught through written responses, critical thinking discussion questions and hands-on activities or projects. Biblical lessons are taught as they relate to the novel. The Writing Guides take an in-depth look at a specific writing skill. A yearly planning guide is included with the package.
9th Grade Package Contents:
The High King Novel
The High King Discovery Guide
Out of the Dust Novel
Out of the Dust Writing Guide
The Yearling Novel
The Yearling Discovery Guide
The Trumpeter of Krakow Novel
The Trumpeter of Krakow Discovery Guide
Dragon’s Blood Novel
Dragon’s Blood Writing Guide
To Kill a Mockingbird Novel
To Kill a Mockingbird Discovery Guide
Teacher’s Manual
9th Grade readers will be challenged and intrigued by the complex situations these novels share. The High King is an action packed fantasy book students will love. The Out of the Dust novel is written in poetic form and students will work on their own skills at writing poetry. The Pulitzer Prize winning novel, The Yearling, is a poignant study of relationships and coming of age. TheTrumpeter of Krakow is based on a Polish legend and has an enchanting plot. The Dragon’s Blood story explores the redemptive power of Jesus’ blood. To Kill a Mockingbird follows Scout’s life as he grows up during a turbulent time. Please note: The High King has a mature portrayal of war and morality. To Kill a Mockingbird contains inappropriate language.
The Discovery Guides include instruction for reading comprehension, spelling, grammar and vocabulary. This is taught through written responses, critical thinking discussion questions and hands-on activities or projects. Biblical lessons are taught as they relate to the novel. The Writing Guides take an in-depth look at a specific writing skill. A yearly planning guide is included with the package.
World Literature Package Contents:
The Swiss Family Robinson Novel
The Swiss Family Robinson Discovery Guide
The Hiding Place Novel
The Hiding Place Discovery Guide
Animal Farm Novel
Animal Farm Writing Guide
The Scarlet Pimpernel Novel
The Scarlet Pimpernel Discovery Guide
Around the World in 80 Days Novel
Around the World in 80 Days Discovery Guide
The Good Earth Novel
The Good Earth Writing Guide
Teacher’s Manual
Our World Literature course explores diverse literary works such as The Scarlet Pimpernel. There are novels from various cultures and time periods such as The Good Earth and The Hiding Place. The novels aim to broaden student’s perspectives as they read Animal Farm and the characters create a utopian society. The books foster a deeper understanding of human experiences as in the novel The Swiss Family Robinson when the family is shipwrecked on an island and must survive. Students will engage with literature through critical analysis, discussion and writing while exploring themes and ideas as they relate to their Christian faith.
The Discovery Guides include instruction for reading comprehension, spelling, grammar and vocabulary. This is taught through written responses, critical thinking discussion questions and hands-on activities or projects. Biblical lessons are taught as they relate to the novel. The Writing Guides take an in-depth look at a specific writing skill. A yearly planning guide is included with the package.
American Literature Package Contents:
Scarlet Letter Novel
Scarlet Letter Discovery Guide
American Literature Short Stories Discovery Guide
American Literature Non-fiction Discovery Guide
American Literature Poetry Discovery Guide
How to Read Slowly Novel
This American Literature course invites students to journey through the powerful voices, timeless themes, and distinct literary styles that have shaped American thought and identity. Combining full-length texts with curated short stories, nonfiction, and poetry, this course is ideal for students seeking a deep, meaningful and spiritual encounter with American Literature.
The Discovery Guides include instruction for reading comprehension, spelling, grammar and vocabulary. This is taught through written responses, critical thinking discussion questions and hands-on activities or projects. Biblical lessons are taught as they relate to the novel. The Writing Guides take an in-depth look at a specific writing skill. A yearly planning guide is included with the package.
British Literature Package Contents:
Jane Eyre Novel
Jane Eyre Discovery Guide
Oliver Twist Novel
Oliver Twist Discovery Guide
Pride and Prejudice Novel
Pride and Prejudice Discovery Guide
Lord of the Flies Novel
Lord of the Flies Discovery Guide
The Screwtape Letters Novel
The Screwtape Letters Writing Guide
Teacher’s Manual
Whether you're exploring Victorian hardship with Oliver Twist, navigating spiritual themes in The Screwtape Letters, or engaging with the timeless wit of Jane Austen, this package offers everything needed to guide students through British Literature. Students will take a look at the constructs of society in the Lord of the Flies and analyze the literature through a Biblical lens.
The Discovery Guides include instruction for reading comprehension, spelling, grammar and vocabulary. This is taught through written responses, critical thinking discussion questions and hands-on activities or projects. Biblical lessons are taught as they relate to the novel. The Writing Guides take an in-depth look at a specific writing skill. A yearly planning guide is included with the package.