Spring Novels for Teachers & Homeschoolers

When you think of spring, you might think of rainy weather and new growth. However, it is also a time where you can begin to help your students apply their reading comprehension skills to great books. Although many schools focus on test prep, bringing engaging literature into your classroom can be a great way to review those important lessons you’ve spent all winter teaching.

Spring-themed novels and chapter books are a great opportunity to do just that. Plus, they offer so many great cross-curricular connections that can take students beyond the four walls of your classroom.

Because I received so many great comments about my winter novel collection, I wanted to take a moment to share some of my favorite novels to read with learners in spring. Whether you’re an overwhelmed teacher trying to figure out what your next steps are for reading instruction or a homeschool parent looking for a great read for your own kiddo, this list will help you find your next great literary adventure.

Spring Novels for your learners
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20 Amazing Novels to Read with Kids in Spring

Spring is a time when many classrooms begin to have some additional flexibility in their lesson planning. Testing is coming to a close, and summer break is approaching. This flexibility means that many learners getting their first opportunity to dive into a novel study.

This list contains my favorite books to use for a spring novel study. You’ll find that I’ve included some important information that I hope will help you find the perfect text for your students. Here’s what you’ll find:

  • A brief synopsis for each book
  • General reading level information
  • Ideas for cross-curricular connections
  • A link to help you find where to get the print or audio version of the book
  • Links to the ready-to-use novel study units (when available)

Some of the links included in this post are affiliate links, which means when you click and buy through the link provided you’re helping me cover the costs to keep this site up and running.

My hope is that having these resources at your fingertips will help you save time when preparing your lessons this spring.

1. Charlotte’s Web

It should come as no surprise that E.B. White’s classic makes the list of the best spring novels for readers.

The novel follows Wilbur’s first year of life as he transitions from the runt of the litter to a blue ribbon pig. From the tender moments of “motherly” love he receives from Fern to his budding friendship with a bright and talented spider, this story is a winner from beginning to end.

As an added bonus, this story has been remade into a movie several times, which makes it great for doing comparisons of a story across different forms of media. While the most recent version created in 2006 includes big names like Julia Roberts and Dakota Fanning, my personal favorite is the animated version from the 1970s because it’s got such catchy music.

Regardless of whether you offer the opportunity to watch the movie after reading, you’re sure to love this classic tale of a spring pig who overcomes the odds stacked against him.

Cross-curricular connections: Science – Lifecycles; Social Studies – urban vs. rural

Ideal for: 3rd-5th graders

Teach with Charlotte’s Web

2. Track: Ghost

Ghost, the first book in Jason Reynolds’ Track series, is a great option for a spring novel when many students are beginning their track season.

Girl holding Ghost by Jason Reynolds

This National Book Award Finalist follows the story of a teen named Castle, who has had a rough start in life. With a dream of playing basketball with the big boys, Castle reluctantly agrees to join the city track team after Coach promises that he’ll be dunking in no time.

As we follow his efforts toward his first track meet, Castle makes more than his fair share of mistakes, but it’s clear to readers that inside he’s a good person who is trying to make the best of a tough situation. Along the way, his coach becomes a mentor who helps him begin to discover the path to who he truly wants to be.

On the day of the first meet, he’s feeling the pressure…but can he win?

Cross-curricular connections: Social Emotional Learning – grit, growth mindset

Ideal for: 5th-7th graders

Teach with Ghost

3. The Secret Garden

The Secret Garden, by Frances Hodgeson Burnett, is a classic story that has been enjoyed by children for over 100 years, and it makes the perfect spring novel. It is the story of Mary Lennox, an orphan of the cholera epidemic. When she is sent to live with her uncle in England, she finds herself lonely and isolated in the countryside.

That is until one day when she happens upon a door to a secret garden. As the story goes on, the reader witnesses a remarkable transformation. Mary, her bossy cousin Colin, and a friend they make along the way secretly work together to make the long-forgotten garden bloom.

This story is a great opportunity to talk about character change and bring in discussions about the historical impact of epidemics of the past.

Cross-curricular connections: Social Emotional Learning, Science – plants, Health – illnesses/epidemics

Ideal for: 5th-7th graders

Teach with The Secret Garden

4. The Trumpet of the Swan

The Trumpet of the Swan is another E.B. White classic novel. It’s the story of Louis, a Trumpeter Swan. However, unlike most Trumpeter Swan’s, Louis has no voice. Despite this challenge, he is determined to communicate.

When he leaves home, he meets Sam Beaver, a human who teaches him to read and write. Returning home, Louis realizes that this isn’t enough because his love cannot read his love notes, and he is still unable to communicate with her. Determined to resolve the issue, Louis embarks on an adventure that takes him far from home, but will it be enough?

With rich language and a timeless tale of love, courage, and finding your own way, E.B. White weaves a masterful tale that will surely capture the reader’s imagination. This a great example of fantasy for your 4th-grade readers.

Cross-curricular connections: Social Emotional Learning – grit, growth mindset

Ideal for: 4th-6th graders

Teach with The Trumpet of the Swan

5. Because of Winn-Dixie

Because of Winn-Dixie is a great story of love and friendship written by award-winning author Kate DiCamillo. The story focuses on the relationship between a lonely young girl and a stray dog she meets one day at her local grocery store. Despite her father’s objections, the girl is determined to keep the dog, who she names Winn-Dixie.

The pair have many adventures, and Winn-Dixie helps the girl (named Opal) begin to make friends in her new town. After nearly losing Winn-Dixie in a thunderstorm, Opal begins to rekindle her tepid relationship with her father and begins to realize the value of the love and friendships she has made.

A beautiful story of the power of pets, Because of Winn-Dixie has so many deep and meaningful layers. As a teacher, you’ll love the rich vocabulary and discussions the book fosters among your learners. Several years ago this book was also made into a movie, which offers even more opportunities to touch on core standards.

Cross-curricular connections: Social Emotional Learning – grit, growth mindset

Ideal for: 3rd-5th graders

Teach with Because of Winn-Dixie

6. My Father’s Dragon

My Father’s Dragon is a great fairy tale story designed to enthrall your readers. The story of Elmer Elevator and his adventures when he runs away to rescue a baby dragon, this story is an imaginative masterpiece.

2nd Grader reading My Father's Dragon
Spring Novels for Teachers & Homeschoolers 13

With beautiful illustrations, learners will follow Elmer’s path as he faces dangerous creatures and must figure out how to outsmart each one with only the supplies he has.

With a smart and creative main character, this book can be a great lead-in to some good STEM learning opportunities as part of your spring novel study.

Cross-curricular connections: Social Emotional Learning – grit; Science – habitats; STEM

Ideal for: 2nd-3rd graders

Teach with My Father’s Dragon

7. Pippi Longstocking

While this isn’t directly a spring novel, it is a favorite for students. If you’ve got a group with a great sense of humor, this is the perfect novel to capture their attention and spark some silly conversation. This story about a young girl with some strange habits is sure to get your students giggling.

The story centers around the title character, Pippi, who has come to live in her family’s home while her dad continues to sail the sea. Of course, Pippi isn’t totally alone! She has her monkey and horse to keep her company, and it isn’t long before she’s made friends with the siblings next door.

As the story continues, readers follow Pippi’s nonsensical adventures as she traverses an unfamiliar world in her own unique way. Your students will love Pippi’s kind heart and slightly unusual way of handling life’s challenges, and if you have time, this is another GREAT opportunity to compare the story in two formats because the movie (affiliate link) is fantastic.

Cross-curricular connections: Wants vs. Needs; Math

Ideal for: 3rd-5th graders

Teach with Pippi Longstocking

8. Spring According to Humphrey

The According to Humphrey series is another favorite amongst students, and this book is perfect makes a great spring book club or novel unit. This is the 12th book in the series, but it might just encourage your readers to go back and enjoy Humphrey’s story from book 1.

Told through the perspective of Humphrey, the class hamster, the story follows a classroom of students through their many explorations into the wonders of springtime. With the signs of spring everywhere, Humphrey’s most important lesson is that families come in many different forms.

Cross-curricular connections: Social Studies – family & communities

Ideal for: 3rd-5th graders

Teach with Pippi Longstocking

9. Bridge to Terabithia

This story is a classic tale of friendship and the power of imagination. The story follows Jess Aarons, a boy determined to be the fastest boy in the 5th grade. Determined to find his moment in the sun, Jess struggles wtih the insecurities that many students will be all too familar with at this age.

However, Jess’ dreams are dashed when the new girl next door, Leslie, arrives and beats everyone in the race at recess. While you’d imagine this might be a barrier to any sort of relationship between the two, they eventually become fast friends. They create a fantasyland on the other side of a creek in the woods that they name Terabithia. This becomes their escape from the rest of the world.

Through Leslie’s friendship, Jess embraces his imagination and creativity. Together they are able to weather the challenges of early adolescence and the struggle to find one’s place in the world. However, when tragedy strikes, Jess must try to cope with his new reality and forge the path ahead.

Cross-curricular connections: Writing – Imaginative Stories

Ideal for: 3rd-5th graders

Teach with Bridge to Terabithia

10. Little House on the Prairie

The third book in the nine book The Little House series, this story focuses on the Ingalls family during their time on the Kansas prairie. An autobiographical story that takes the reader back to the 1800s, this story offers students a chance to immerse themselves into the westward expansion occuring at the time.

Child holding Little House on the Prairie
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Facing the real dangers of illness and the perceived dangers of the nearby native peoples, Laura and her family work to make a life for themselves. Despite her mother’s fears of an attack, Laura’s curiosity gets the best of her and she spends a great deal of time observing the people who pass by.

When Ma’s fears of an attack appear to be a reality, it turns out their native neighbors will actually be their saving grace. An Osage chief who has become friends with Pa helps to avert the crisis. However, that doesn’t stop change from happening. After being informed they had no legal right to their home, the Ingalls must decide whether to stay and fight or find a new place to call their own.

Cross-curricular connections: Social Studies – past & present; pioneer life

Ideal for: 3rd-5th graders

Teach with Little House on the Prairie

11. The Hero Two Doors Down

Springtime is synonymous with baseball season for many students, and this story is a great opportunity to capture your readers with the story of a boy who discovers that hero, Jackie Robinson, has moved into his neighborhood. Based on a true story, and written by Robinson’s daughter Sharon, this story touches on so many important topics – including social injustice and discrimination.

Girl Reading The Hero Two Doors Down

As you can imagine, Stephen (the main character) is over the moon when he discovers his new neighbor is none other than Robinson himself. However, he also knows that many of his neighbors aren’t as enthusiastic about having an African American move into their all-Jewish neighborhood.

Determined to meet Robinson, Stephen actually becomes friends with the entire Robinson family and learns a great deal about overcoming adversity and cultural awareness along the way.

With great themes, real photos of the pair, and a diverse cast of characters, your students will love this story and so will you.

Cross-curricular connections: Social Studies – desegregation, diversity awareness

Ideal for: 3rd-5th graders

Teach with The Hero Two Doors Down

12. Love that Dog

April is Poetry Month, but it can be hard to find great books that incorporate poetry into a full story. That’s just one reason I really love this book by Sharon Creech.

Table with Love that Dog and Little House on the Prairie Stacked on it
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In this story, the main character, Jack, begins to find his voice as he works through the grief of losing his beloved pet dog. Like many students, Jack hates poetry and thinks it’s too girly for him. However, his teacher doesn’t give up on him, and the more he writes the easier it becomes. In the end Jack discovers he has lots to say and is eager to share.

If you’re looking for a great spring novel to introduce the flexibility of poetry, Love That Dog is such a good option.

Cross-curricular connections: Writing – Poetry; Social-Emotional Learning – grief

Ideal for: 3rd-5th graders

Teach with Love that Dog

13. Elly: My True Story of the Holocaust

April marks Yom Hashoah, also known as Holocaust Remembrance. This novel offers an opportunity to help your students develop a better understanding of what that time period looked like for kids their age.

Desk with Elly: My True Story of the Holocaust on it

Written by a survivor, this story includes both the details of Elly’s experience in concentration camps and heartfelt poetry that captures the raw emotion of those difficult periods.

This text envelopes students into the story of one girl’s path to freedom and the dangerous path to get there. A great way to combine history and social studies with reading comprehension, a study of the Holocaust is a great way to engage students in a discussion about diversity and freedom.

Cross-curricular connections: History – WWII, the Holocaust

Ideal for: 6th-8th graders

Teach with Elly: My True Story of the Holocaust

14. Magic Tree House: Tonight on the Titanic

April also marks the anniversary of the sinking of the Titanic. Since the Titanic often captures student imagination, this can be a great way to make the connection with your curriculum. Plus, this series is beloved by many elementary students and offers great nonfiction texts that can be used for paired reading.

Girl with Magic Tree House Book

Like the rest of the Magic Tree House series, Tonight on the Titanic follows the story of Jack and Annie, who have traveled back in time in the magical treehouse they discovered in the woods behind their house. Throughout the story, the pair uses a book they brought with them to try to help the endangered passengers of the ill-fated voyage.

After helping two children traveling to New York to meet their parents, Jack and Annie attempt to relocate the treehouse before the ship sinks, but can they make it in time?

Cross-curricular connections: Social Studies – history, economics

Ideal for: 2nd-4th graders

Teach with Magic Tree House #17: Tonight on the Titanic & Fact Tracker: Titanic

15. Number the Stars

Number the Stars, by award-winning author Lois Lowry, is another great piece of literature to help students begin to understand the immense impact of World War II and the Holocaust for those who lived through it. Unlike Elly (mentioned above), this fictional story follows two ten year old girls living in Nazi occupied Denmark.

As the Nazi occupation continues, their lives take dramatic changes and when the Gestapo comes knocking on the door the pair realize that this is now a life-or-death situation. Ellen, one of the two girls, takes on the identity of her friend’s deceased sister in order to avoid being taken by the Nazis, but it isn’t long before even that isn’t enough to keep them safe.

After leaving for the countryside, the pair continues to face challenges that threaten Ellen’s life. It isn’t long before they also discover that Annemarie’s family is a part of the resistance. This changes everything…and leaves readers to wonder whether the girls will make it out of Denmark alive.

Cross-curricular connections: History – WWII, the Holocaust

Ideal for: 4th-6th graders

Teach with Number the Stars

16. James and the Giant Peach

Spring marks the beginning of fruit season in many parts of the country, so what better way to celebrate than by reading Roald Dahl’s classic, James and the Giant Peach?

Boy with red glasses reading James and the Giant Peach in bed

The story includes a young orphan named James who has been sent to live with his horrid and neglectful aunts after his parents die. Despite his mistreatment, James continues to work hard and one day he meets a man who offers him a magical opportunity. Unfortunately, things go awry when James takes a tumble near the peach tree in his aunt’s yard.

The next day something spectacular happens that will change James’ life forever.

Cross-curricular connections: Science – plants

Ideal for: 3rd-5th graders

Teach with James and the Giant Peach

17. I Survived the Sinking of the Titanic, 1912

Looking to teach history as part of your spring novel study?

Another great option about the Titanic is this book from the I Survived series. These stories are especially engaging for learners because they’re told from the perspective of a kid just like them. As a result the historical relevance of the experience is magnified.

Girl Reading I Survived the Sinking of the Titanic laying on the floor

In I Survived the Sinking of the Titanic, a mischievous, well-do-to boy named George sails with his sister and aunt on the Titanic. When the ship hits an iceberg, George must face the challenge head-on in order to help his family survive.

Lauren Tarshis, the author, is a master of seamlessly blending fact and fiction. Her story creates an action-packed adventure that will leave your readers on the edge of their seats.

Cross-curricular connections: Social Studies – history, economics

Ideal for: 3rd-5th graders

Teach with I Survived the Sinking of the TItanic, 1912

18. Night of the Twisters

Spring is also a time when conversations about weather awareness take center stage. Night of the Twisters offers a literary opportunity to talk about how best to prepare for incliminate weather. Written by Ivy Ruckman, the story is based on a real event that took place in Nebraska in 1980.

The main character is a 12-year old boy named Danny Hatch. After an evening of fun at the local swimming hole, Danny and his friend find themselves riding their bikes home as the weather begins to turn south. By the time the pair finish dinner, severe weather warnings have been issued for their area. When Danny’s mom leaves for a quick visit to check on their elderly neighbor, the boys find themselves in charge of Danny’s little brother Ryan just as the tornado sirens begin to blare.

After the storms pass, the trio discovers that the house has been reduced to a pile of rubble, and they set out to find Danny’s mom and wind up helping save others in their neighborhood as the winds continue to rage around them. Just when they think they’re finally headed to safety, another tornado touches down.

As the story continues, the reader is left to wonder – Will there be anything left by the time the storms end?

Cross-curricular connections: Science – weather

Ideal for: 4th-6th graders

Teach with Night of the Twisters

19. In the Year of the Boar & Jackie Robinson

This story follows a young girl named Shirley Temple Wong as she acclimates to her new life in United States after leaving China following the end of World War II. Desperate to fit in, Shirley tries to adopt American hobbies and mannerisms, but her efforts are often met with failure.

While many of her classmates aren’t open to embracing Shirley’s attempts, she finally makes a friend and begins to find her way within her new country. Thankfully, this doesn’t mean abandoning her roots, and Shirley is able to fit in without turning her back on her Chinese heritage.

When Shirley is lucky enough to meet her American hero – baseball player Jackie Robinson – it becomes clear that there are many similarities between the two and their attempts to fit in.

Overall, a great book with a fun sports theme woven throughout that will capture even hard to please the reader’s attention.

Cross-curricular connections: Social Studies – history & culture

Ideal for: 3rd-5th graders

Teach with In the Year of the Boar and Jackie Robinson

20. The Wonderful Wizard of Oz

Most students are well-aware of the movie, many aren’t aware that the story is based on a book that was published in 1900. This modern fairy tale is great for spring and offers a great opportunity to introduce them to the original.

Much like the movie, this story follows Dorothy as she is transported to a mysterious land following a tornado at her family farm in Kansas. Along the way, she meets a cast of characters all seeking the help of a powerful wizard. Despite the dangers posed by the Wicked Witch of the West, Dorothy and her companions are determined to see their wishes come true. Before that can happen, Dorothy must defeat the witch. Although many have tried in the past, Dorothy is determined to succeed…and does!

However, not all is as it seems in Oz, and Dorothy and her companions realize that their challenges may not be quite what they seem. Will Dorothy ever get home to Kansas?

Cross-curricular connections: Science – weather; Social-Emotional Learning

Ideal for: 4th-6th graders

Teach with The Wonderful Wizard of Oz

Spring Novels: Reading Essentials for Kids

Spring is a great time to introduce learners to a new novel, and it’s also the perfect time to start a novel study!

This list of my favorite spring chapter books can help you find exactly what you need for your classroom so that your students can begin to apply their comprehension skills to authentic literature experiences.

spring novels

Now that you’ve seen my favorites, which books do you love to read in spring? Share your must-read spring novels and chapter books in the comments.

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