Unit Overview - Novel Study Choices

Overview of Novel Study

You will complete a novel study that involves:

• Before You Read - A Reading Scavenger Hunt
• As You Read - Reader Responses
• After You Read - Plot Diagram
• After You Read - A Project Choice

You will have choices, choices, and more choices!

• Choices of novels
• Choices of working on your computer or on paper
• Sometimes, choices of responses
• Many great project choices

Depending on the novel you choose, this novel study will take you 3-5 weeks. Plan on reading two chapters per day (or more, if you wish). Complete the reader responses as you complete each section of reading. When the novel is complete, you will need a week or so to complete your plot diagram and project choice.

Bridge To Terabithia

This Newbery Medal-winning novel by bestselling author Katherine Paterson is a modern classic of friendship and loss.

Jess Aarons has been practicing all summer so he can be the fastest runner in the fifth grade. And he almost is, until the new girl in school, Leslie Burke, outpaces him. Friendless and misunderstood, will they band together? Bullies, family differences, trying to fit in, and an enchanted world combine to make a story where genuine friendship can grow and where tragedy can tear people apart and bring people together all at once.

You will be drawn in by the interesting dialects, the quirky characters who face challenges like anyone your age that is growing up, and the amaziing enchanted world.

***This novel has been made into a movie. Please, if you haven't already seen it, do not watch the movie before reading the novel, but please do watch it after your novel study is complete. I am sure you will agree that this is a case where the book is even better!***

Grade equivalent reading level: 4.6

Chapters: 13

Words: 32888

Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH

This novel is part science, part drama, part adventure, and all courage!

Some extraordinary rats come to the aid of a mouse family in this Newbery Medal Award-winning classic by notable children's author Robert C. O'Brien.

Mrs. Frisby, a widowed mouse with four small children, is faced with a terrible challenge. She must move her family to their summer quarters immediately or face almost certain death. But her youngest son, Timothy, lies ill with pneumonia and must not be moved.

Fortunately, she meets up with the rats of NIMH, an extraordinary breed of highly intelligent creatures, who come up with a brilliant solution to her problem. Will it work? And Mrs. Frisby in turn promises them a great service.

As you get to know these clever characters, you will forget you are reading about rodents! This is a truly engaging tale.

(adapted from amazon.ca)

***This novel has been made into an animated movie. Please, if you haven't already seen it, do not watch the movie before reading the novel, but please do watch it if you wish after your novel study and activities are complete. I am sure you will agree that this is another case where the book is even better!***

Grade equivalent reading level: 5.1

Chapters: 28

Words: 53752

Novel of Choice

You are welcome to read a novel of choice. Please check with your teacher before starting this option to make sure your teacher agrees with your choice. Here are a few suggestions:

Adapted (Grade 3 - low Grade 4 Reading Level)

• Star Wars: Jedi Academy (by Jeffrey Brown)
• Sarah Plain and Tall (by Patricia MacLachlan)
• The Whipping Boy (by Sid Fleischman)
• Because of Winn Dixie (by Kate DiCamillo)
• Stone Fox (by John Reynolds Gardiner)

Grade 5 Reading Level

• An Ocean Apart: The Gold Mountain Diary of Chin Mai-Lin (by Gillian Chan)
• Counting by 7s (by Holly Goldberg)
• James and the Giant Peach (by Roald Dahl)
• Play Ball (by Matt Christopher)
• Into the Wild (by Erin Hunter) - Book #1 of a highly addictive series!
• Island of the Blue Dolphins (by Scott O'Dell)
• The Emily Carr Mystery (by Eric Wilson)
• From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler (by E. L. Konigsburg)
• My Side of the Mountain (by Jean Craighead George)
• Owls in the Family (by Farley Mowat)
• The Tale of Desperaux (by Kate DiCamillo)
• The Zucchini Warriors (by Gordon Kormon) - Hilarious book for those who like to laugh out loud!

Advanced (Grade 6 + Reading Level)

• A Single Shard (by Linda Sue Park)
• Call it Courage (by Sperry Armstrong)