The Ultimate Guide to Novel Studies: Book Lists, Lesson Plans & Activities for Grades 2–7
If you’re searching for the perfect way to bring literature to life in your classroom or homeschool, you’re in the right place. Whether you’re just getting started or you’re ready to level up your current approach, this guide has everything you need to create meaningful, engaging novel studies that fit your teaching style and your students’ needs.
In this ultimate guide, you’ll find:
- Grade-specific book recommendations
- Print-and-go novel units with comprehension and vocabulary activities
- Creative ideas for pre-reading, group work, and book projects
- Digital-friendly resources for online and hybrid learning
- A free planning guide if you want to build your own unit from scratch
Let’s dive in.
Best Novels by Grade Level
Looking for the right book to start a novel study? These curated lists are filled with high-interest, skill-appropriate titles:
- Best Books for 2nd Graders
- Best Books for 3rd Graders
- Best Books for 4th Graders
- Best Books for 5th Graders
- Best Books for 6th Grade Readers
- Must-Read 7th Grade Books
Planning Your Novel Study
New to novel studies? These helpful posts walk you through how to get started and stay organized:
- How to Plan a Novel Study: A Step-by-Step Tutorial
- Easy Novel Study Organization Ideas for Classroom Book Clubs
- Differentiate Your Novel Unit Without Spending Hours Planning
- Trifold Novel Studies 101: What Is a Trifold Novel Study?
- Book Study Benefits: Enhancing Education with Group Reading
???? Want to build your own? Grab the FREE Novel Study Planning Guide here.
Ready-to-Use Novel Units
Here are just a few of the most popular and engaging novel studies I’ve created for grades 2 to 7:
- Among the Hidden Novel Study
- Esperanza Rising Novel Study
- Shiloh Novel Study
- Stone Fox Novel Study
- Hatchet Novel Study
- Charlotte’s Web Novel Study
- The Giver Novel Study
- Wonder Novel Study
- A Wrinkle in Time Novel Study
- Wishtree Novel Study
(You can find all available novel units in my TPT shop here.)
Digital and Hybrid-Friendly Novel Study Ideas
Teaching in a digital classroom or running a virtual book club? These posts can help:
- The Secrets to Implementing Novel Studies in the Online Classroom
- The Best Websites and Tech Tools for Digital Novel Studies
Novel Study Skill Integration
Use your novel study time to build key comprehension skills:
- How to Teach Character Analysis + Free Printable
- 5 Reading Skills to Include in Your Tuck Everlasting Unit
- Pre-Reading Activities to Hook Students
Novel Study Extensions and STEM Tie-Ins
Add hands-on learning with these creative extensions:
Want It All?
Many of my most popular novel studies are available in bundles to save you time and money.
Before You Go…
Whether you’re looking to download a ready-made unit or want to build one yourself, you’re in the right place. Bookmark this guide so you’ll always have fresh ideas, helpful tools, and high-quality resources for your next novel study.
???? Get your FREE planning guide now.
???? Shop all novel studies.
