Novel Study TEXT SELECTION TIPS
By MARISSA DESPINS Updated Dec 14, 2023
Tips for novel Study Text Selection
The novel study text selection process is an important but daunting task. With so many great new titles popping up, as well as the tried and true classics, it can be challenging to choose the perfect text for your learners.
As teachers, we know that sharing a whole class novel is a wonderful opportunity for students to think deeply about text through a collective reading experience with their classmates. Novel studies are great opportunities to hone reading comprehension skills, have meaningful class discussions about text, and encourage a love of reading. That being said, the novel study text selection process is crucially important.
If you are looking for a FREE list of engaging titles for your next novel study, click here or on the image or button below.
During the novel study text selection process, it is important to keep the following questions in mind:
Reading Level
-Is the book at an appropriate level for students to read independently, or will you be reading the novel aloud?
Students are often able to comprehend text read aloud at a much higher level than what they can read independently. Because of this, you can often select a book with a higher reading level if you are planning to read the book aloud to the class. If you are planning to have students read independently, you will want to make sure that you choose a book that meets the reading levels of your students.
If you want to check out some of my very favorite novel studies for classroom learning, check out our middle school novel study favorites.
Content
-What is the content of the book? Is it appropriate for the grade and school population?
You are going to be required to “read the room” a bit here. A book that may be appropriate to teach at one school could possibly be banned another. When in doubt, I suggest checking with your department head or administration before making your final text selections.
Variety
-Are you exposing my learners to a wide range of authors, genres, and writing styles throughout the year?
Variety is the spice of life! By choosing different authors, genres, and themes, teachers have the opportunity to expose students to a world of books that they may not choose on their own. This helps to expand individual book choice. Through this, students learn to love new authors and genres they may otherwise have not known about.
Length
-What is the length of the book? Are you able to dedicate enough time to give the novel the attention it deserves?
Depending on the text, you may be able to plow through it quickly or need extensive time for in depth analysis. If you only have a few weeks to teach a novel, you may want to think about choosing something a little shorter (think Great Gatsby instead of War and Peace).
Access
-Do you have access to a class set of the novel, or are you able to get by with one teacher copy to read aloud?
If you want each student to have their own copy of the text, you may want to scour your school’s book room to see what is available before you start to make any decisions.
Windows and Mirrors
-Does the book provide students with windows and mirrors?
To me, this is one of the most important things to think about when considering novel study text selection. The great Emily Style once stated that “education needs to enable the student to look through window frames in order to see the realities of others and into mirrors in order to see her/his own reality reflected”.
A novel study can act a as mirror. It can provide students with opportunities to see themselves through the experiences of the characters. Through this, students can see that they too can be heroes of their own stories.
Novel studies can also act as windows. They can provide students opportunities to experience worlds unlike their own. Students have the opportunity to examine different historical time periods, new cultures, and life circumstances that are different than what they are currently experiencing. Exposing students to different emotions, experiences, and environments helps to build compassion and background knowledge.
By carefully choosing novels that are windows and mirrors, teachers can use the whole class novel study to encourage both individual and group understanding of complex issues.
For more information on the windows and mirrors approach to novel study text selection, check out our post on the benefits of teaching novel studies.
I hope this has helped make text selection for your next novel study a little bit easier. What are some of your go-to texts for middle school novel studies? Shoot me a message and let me know! I love a great book recommendation.
For detailed information to help you plan your next novel study, be sure to grab our free guide!
LOOKING FOR SOME FREE RESOURCES TO HELP YOU CHOOSE YOUR NEXT NOVEL STUDY?
If you are looking for a list of great middle school novels you can print out and choose from, you can grab this list for FREE by clicking here or on the image below.
Looking for some ready to teach novel study resources?
Click here or on the image below to see all of the different novel studies I have available in my TPT shop! Each unit comes with comprehension questions, detailed answer keys, activities, and projects!
Want to read more about middle school and upper elementary novel studies?
Check out these blog posts!
Planning a Novel Study: A Step by Step Guide
Building Novel Study Engagement
FREE Graphic Organizers for ANY Novel Study
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