Novel Study Grouping Suggestions

These groupings are just suggestions.  Many combinations are possible and equally desirable.  The numbers in parentheses next to the headings are Barbara's recommended grade levels.  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 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.

(Grades 3-4)
Charlotte's Web The Courage of Sarah Noble
Pippi Longstocking The Whipping Boy
   
(Grades 5-6)
Amos Fortune Free Man My Side of the Mountain
Caddie Woodlawn The Wheel on the School
The Cricket in Times Square  
   
(Grades 6-8)  
Adam of the Road The Light in the Forest
Carry On, Mr Bowditch The Lion, Witch & Wardrobe
The Hobbit Rifles for Watie
The Incredible Journey The Twenty-One Balloons
Julie of the Wolves Where the Red Fern Grows
King of the Wind The Witch of Blackbird Pond
   
(Grades 7-9)  
Anne of Green Gables The Swiss Family Robinson
The Bronze Bow Treasure Island
The Call of the Wild Words by Heart
The Giver A Wrinkle in Time
Johnny Tremain  
   
(Grades 8-10)  
The Hiding Place The Trumpeter of Krakow
The High King The Yearling
   
(Grades 9-11)  
Around the World in Eighty Days The Scarlet Pimpernel
Pride and Prejudice To Kill a Mocking Bird
(Advanced Grades 11-12)  
Jane Eyre The Scarlet Letter
Oliver Twist  
   
(American Literature Grades 11-12)
Poetry Short Stories
Nonfiction  
   
(Focus Guides)
The Mixed-up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler Out of the Dust
   
(Miscellaneous)
Christmas Volume I Christmas Volume II
Teacher's Manual