How to Choose a Novel Study for Your Classroom

Great—so you’ve decided to teach a novel study in your classroom. That’s an exciting step! But where do you start?

A good place to begin is choosing the right book. The right novel can ignite discussions, build comprehension, and introduce students to diverse genres and perspectives. Here are some practical tips for selecting a novel and planning a meaningful unit.

1. Start With What You Have

Before buying anything, check to see if your school already owns class sets of novels. Your school library or resource room might have options ready to go. If they don’t, you have a few alternatives:

• Request a Purchase: Ask your administration if the school can buy a class set.

• Ask the Parent Club: Many parent organizations are willing to support classroom projects.

• Go Digital: Some novels are available for free or at a low cost online. You can post links to digital copies in Google Classroom or similar platforms.

• Build Your Own Library: Personally, I’ve started purchasing a few books each year (about five at a time). I also ask for donations and check out my local book barn to build a collection.

  
  

2. Plan for the Year

I aim to do one novel study per trimester or quarter, depending on our schedule. If you're planning multiple novel studies, it’s important to choose books from different genres to give students a well-rounded literary experience.

Example (Grade 5):

• Realistic Fiction: Wonder by R.J. Palacio

• Survival Fiction: The Sign of the Beaver by Elizabeth George Speare

• Historical Fiction: Number the Stars by Lois Lowry

Other genres to consider: fantasy, science fiction, mystery, biography, or even poetry anthologies.

3. Match the Book to Your Classroom Needs

Choosing the right book isn't just about the story. Consider:

• Standards Alignment: What ELA standards are you targeting? Choose texts that lend themselves to your instructional goals.

• Reading Level: Be mindful of your students’ reading abilities. Look for books that are challenging but accessible.

• Timeframe: How long will the study take? A 200-page book may be manageable in a month; a 400-page book might take longer.

• Classroom Management: Some books require more prep, discussion, or background knowledge. Make sure you have the time and resources to support your students.

  
  

4. Know Your Purpose

Before launching your novel study, clarify a few key elements:

• Purpose or Goal: Are you building comprehension skills? Exploring a theme? Practicing literary analysis?

• Standards: Which Common Core or state standards will you address?

• Timeline: How many weeks will this take?

• Unit Map: What will each week look like? How will you assess learning?

  
  

5. Consider Age and Developmental Readiness

I recommend full novel studies for third grade and up. While younger students can enjoy listening to chapter books read aloud, they typically benefit more from explicit, sequential phonics instruction in small groups. Novel studies are not a substitute for phonics or decoding instruction, especially in the primary grades.

Final Thoughts:Choosing a novel study can feel overwhelming, but with a little planning and creativity, it becomes a rewarding part of your curriculum. Whether you're pulling from school resources or building your own library, the key is to choose texts that meet your students’ needs and spark their love for reading.

What novels have worked well in your classroom? Share your favorites in the comments!