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How to Choose the Best Middle School Literature And Favorite Resources

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This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

Today in how to choose the best middle school literature I want to help you conquer the overwhelm by giving you a few seasoned homeschooler secrets. Also, look at my page How to Successfully Homeschool Middle School for more ideas.

With so many wonderful books, literature guides, and reading programs available, how do you decide which ones are right for your middle school student?

How to Choose the Best Middle School Literature And Favorite Resources

When I approached the middle school years, there was no lack of middle school literature lists.

BEST MIDDLE SCHOOL LITERATURE

I loved having the lists, but I quickly learned that having tips on how to choose literature for my teen was better.

So first, look at these four questions asked and answered full of tips to help you decide which books are best for your family.

FOUR MIDDLE SCHOOL LITERATURE QUESTIONS ASKED AND ANSWERED

Question 1.
Should I Read Every Book My Child Reads?

The answer is complicated. It’s both yes and no. The way you determine if it’s a yes or no is your purpose.

For example, if you’re wanting to use literature for analysis and to engage your child with understanding an author’s purpose it’s hard to do that unless you read the book.

Middle school is the time that most kids can do some introductory analysis. If you’re wanting to fill the literature requirement for just reading or for enjoyment, the answer is no.

How to Choose the Best Middle School Literature And Favorite Resources

I couldn’t read every book my kids chose, but focused on reading the few we would used for analysis. That secret tip helped me conquer the literature overwhelm in middle school.

In addition, this site for Banned and Challenged Books gives you an idea of the theme or worldview behind some books.

Question 2.
How many books should my kid read each year?

That is another subjective answer. Some kids are voracious readers others not so much.

But if you’re using the literature to fill a credit (yes you can get high school credit in middle school), you’ll want to set your goal for a realistic amount.

Looking over some literature lists for middle schooled kids, I’ve seen some unreachable numbers.

Whatever the number of books you come up with lower it. It’s so much better to get through a handful of books with meaningful discussions than to overestimate and rush through them.

That is disheartening for both teacher and kid. Remember you can always add more literature for analysis anytime during the year.

I’ve had different requirements with each kid as my circumstances were different each year, but a good rule of thumb at this age was to analyze between 4 to 6 books or less.

Some years we did more, other years I struggled to get through three books, but it was still solid language arts.

The other books were pure pleasure and met my reading requirement.

READING FOR MIDDLE SCHOOL

Again, this is NOT all your child will read, but it’s the amount you want him to read to help him with the critical thinking part of literature.

Question 3.
Do I want my child to integrate other subjects or skills or to use literature as stand-alone?

My answer is to integrate as much as possible. My preference from the time I learned about how to integrate was to use this method for all literature.

Integrate means to combine several skills or to combine subjects. By integrating skills or subjects,

  • your child learns the practical application of grammar, vocabulary, or writing in a way that makes sense;
  • the areas of language arts that your child is weak at can be strengthened. For example, he sees the correct spelling of a word in literature and applies it to his writing;
  • your child can choose literature choices based on his interests or to cover a subject he may not like as well. Unlike public school, your child doesn’t have to follow arbitrary lists. Too, if he is not passionate about history, then well-written fiction prose can help him to fill a history credit. Literature can make a history time period come alive while filling both a literature and history requirement in a more fun way; and
  • one unexpected benefit was that my kids learned study skills and research skills.

LITERATURE ANALYSIS FOR MIDDLE SCHOOL

Question 4.
Should I require my child to write book reports?

Although it’s not necessary for kids to write book reports, understanding the purpose of a book report lets you decide if it’s for your family.

Book reports, oral or written, are the blueprints for high school literary analysis.

The point is not whether you assign a book report or not, it’s that your child understands things like elements of fiction, genre, and figures of speech.

Whether you choose to do this orally, through a book report, a lapbook, or reading journal, it’s your choice. I have only one kid that loved book reports, but I orally reviewed with each kid the assigned books.

Next, look at this list of questions to include in a written book report or to go over them orally:

  • Was it better that . . . ?
  • What do you think . . . ?
  • In your opinion . . . ?
  • How would you change the character to . . . ?
  • How is ____ tied in or related to ____?
  • What choice would you have made ____?

Now that you have a quick overview of some of the general tips about how to choose middle school literature, look at this list of books.

Remember that you can choose classics, follow a history theme, favorite author or do a balance of genres. There are many genres to choose from.

Of course, if your child is college bound you will want to do a variety of genre even in junior high.

READING FOR MIDDLE SCHOOL HOMESCHOOL

And one final thought there is a huge difference in maturity between sixth grade and eighth grade.

Keep that in mind in looking over this literature list as I provided options for different reading levels. This list below is a mix of literature that works well for this age, but you can always add to it.

Books for Middle School Kids

Alternatively, you may want to use something besides just a reader or the literature.

TEACHER GUIDES, THEMED GUIDES AND ALL-IN-ONE CURRICULUM

For my first time teaching literature at the middle school level I loved using teacher helps and many times I used them as life happened. Why reinvent the wheel?

You can choose a book along with a teacher guide to help you teach the important parts of the book or use an all-in-one guide or curriculum.

How to Choose the Best Middle School Literature And Favorite Resources

Look at some of your options below.

I love Lightning Literature and they’re perfect for the older grades because they have a schedule which helps when you’re first beginning to teach literature.

Still, I had the tendency to over teach literary analysis, but key to keeping it fun is to do a bit each day.

Then, Language Arts Through Literature series is timeless. Their middle and high school grades are solid.

It is a Charlotte Mason gentle approach to literature and fits a lot of my likes; it takes an integrated approach which aligns with how I feel beautiful literature should be learned.

However, one of my VERY favorite resources for middle school kids was created by another homeschool mom.

You’ll love Literary Adventures for Kids which is online and self-paced.

You choose the books and course and your child goes at his own pace. All the stress and prep for learning about literature was taken out.

If you’re looking for something that your child can do on his own, or you don’t have time to read every book, you’ll love Literary Adventures for Kids.

Also, Progeny Press Study Guides have been timeless.

My kids can pick the book they want to read and we find the accompanying study guide. The guides cover background information, vocabulary, literary analysis, and more.

MORE RESOURCES FOR MIDDLE SCHOOL TIPS

HOMESCHOOL HELPS FOR MIDDLE SCHOOL

Another favorite has been the literature unit guides by Teacher Created Resources. Although they are created for a classroom, I’ve been able to get many ideas to flesh out with my kids.

Additionally, Memoria Press literature guides are grade level literature units which also have helped me at this age.

Next, Beautiful Feet literature are some of my favorite themed literature units.

Covering history and literature simultaneously helped us to learn how to utilize our time and widen our reading diet.

If your child loves history, then integrating history and literature together makes practical use of your child’s time.

Did I mention that reading doesn’t become a chore, but becomes a time you and your child look forward to during the day?

Finally, paying attention to detail looks different for each book with each child, but that is the purpose of literature analysis. Too, our children can come to view each book loved as an artistic expression. It’s quite possible.

What books are you using for literature analysis for middle school kids?

Hugs and love ya,

How to Easily Add Language Arts to Homeschool Unit Studies (& Resources)

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This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

How to add language arts to homeschool unit studies is one hurdle for delight directed learning. Also, look at my page Best Homeschool Unit Studies for more tips and resources.

The fear of missing something huge can keep some tied to a boxed curriculum. The beauty of unit studies is being able to study topics which ignite your child’s interests.

How to Easily Add Language Arts to Homeschool Unit Studies (& Resources)

With that being said, language art skills need to be applied to bodies of knowledge instead of learning language arts skills in isolation. This approach to learning the components of language arts makes it meaningful.

5 WAYS TO ADD LANGUAGE ARTS TO UNIT STUDIES

Look at these 5 ways to easily add language arts to homeschool unit studies.

1. Pair a living book with your unit study.

Although you want to include plenty of living books, depending on the unit study topic you may be using more reference type books.

So if you want to include many elements of language arts, choose one well-written living book to accompany your unit study.

Choose the living book with these things in mind:

  • Aim for the middle to highest reading level of all your children.
  • Keep in mind that it’s easier to scale down for language art components than it is to scale up for your highest level reader. Choose a higher reading level if in doubt.
  • In addition, make sure you understand not only the literary elements like plot, setting, and characters, but the theme too. It’s important for a smooth transition for the theme of the one main living book to connect with the unit study topic. The easiest themes for us in the beginning were ones like good v. evil, courage, and persistence. For example, I chose Swiss Family Robinson by Johann Wyss for our ocean unit study. Surviving on an island as a family if you got shipwrecked appealed as a theme to my kids and is a smooth tie-in to the ocean theme.
  • You can search for booklist ideas here on my site, but here are some to get you started.

Choosing the right living book means the difference with themes which ignite expressive conversations in your house about your unit study theme and your unit study falling flat and being shallow.

LANGUAGE ARTS FOR UNIT STUDIES

In addition, look at these other components of language arts which can naturally be pulled from a living book:

  • defining vocabulary words;
  • dictation;
  • narration;
  • copywork;
  • outlining;
  • reciting an oral speech;
  • reading; and
  • topics for writing or essays.
How to Easily Add Language Arts to Homeschool Unit Studies (& Resources)

The bottom line is that a well-written living book can equal a powerful inclusive language arts component.

When the living book is tied to the unit study topic which has already piqued your child’s interest, you’ve set yourself up for success from the start.

That is why I also love using Literary Adventures for Kids.

You choose a book and your kids can do a self-paced online language art course. Doing an online self-paced course where your child chooses the book is a great tie-in for the language arts component.

Look at my post Online Homeschool High School Poetry (No Teaching Involved).

Next, I use quick study guides. Realizing how beautifully I could zero in on the exact skill my kids needed to work on, I use them frequently.

2. Use Quick Reference Materials Like BarCharts.

Because Quick Study Guides can put information in a nutshell and organize skill by grade level, I use them as general guides.

Look at a few tips on how to use these quick guides:

  • Keep language arts concise and straightforward by learning fewer elements.
  • With my guide in hand, I can pair the objectives on the quick study guide with our main living book to shore up my kids weak areas in language arts.
  • My kids put the guides in their notebooks to use as reference for their writing or grammar. I made copies and we used a single hole punch to add them to their notebook.
  • Also, I could use the guides as a way to orally test my kids or if I wanted to create written quizzes I had a guide.
  • Likewise as my children grew, they can independently review the guides as memorization tools.
How to Easily Add Language Arts to Homeschool Unit Studies (& Resources)

Because quick study guides focus on fewer elements of language arts, our language arts focus could be as complicated or as gentle as we need.

Besides, I’m not paying for a full language arts curriculum, but choosing exactly what my kids need to focus on. Did I mention they last years?

Also, look at this How to Put Together a Homeschooled High School Writer’s Notebook & Free Resources because we added them there. Along with adding free resources online creating a language arts notebooks works.

Add Language Arts to Homeschool Unit Studies

Too, if you live near a Barnes and Noble, I’ve collected several of their guides which are called Quamut. They seem to have more guides about hobbies, but I’ve been able to cull through the quamuts for help in language arts.

However, the SparkCharts are another line of handy references which I love also.

Don’t underestimate the power of the simple and uncomplicated to teach straightforward grammar, punctuation, and types of writing.

You’ll love filling up your bookshelves and notebooks with quick and handy references to get to the point while teaching language arts.

3. Use an Ungraded, Multi-Level Resource.

Then, one of my earliest purchases was one of my best purchases which has stood the test of time.

Kathryn Stout created a series of how-to or reference books for subjects which are basically guides for grades K to 12.

My first purchase was Comprehensive Composition and I used it extensively in my unit studies.

Like the author, Kathryn Stout stated on her site she wrote the Design-A-Study guides to provide both a framework of objectives and detailed methods for teaching basic subjects effectively.

Homeschool Language Arts

For example, having a scope and sequence for composition which can be applied to any unit study for all your kids at one time is sanity-saving.

Equally, despite the age differences between your kids reference guides which lays out objectives and goals keeps composition related to the topic.

What I learned from teaching my kids about composition until high school is that boredom springs from writing about meaningless topics.

An ungraded, multi-level resource gives you freedom to learn how to write well on topics which are meaningful to your family.

However, another useful feature of filling your shelves with resources like these is that you’re using them for years. Unlike curriculum where you’re constantly switching out, a multi-age resource is timeless.

Look at few more resources for multiple grades:

Also, another long time keeper in the homeschool world is the book If You’re Trying to Teach Kids How to Write . . . Revised Edition: You’ve Gotta Have This Book! which is from Preschool to 12.

Having books to give you the big picture along with details of how to implement language arts daily keeps unit studies fun. Plus you know you’re not really missing any big language arts gap.

Then, other newer versions of helps for multiple levels have come along like Everything You Need to Ace English Language Arts in One Big Fat Notebook.

4. Play games.

Also, playing games is another fun and easy way to add language arts to unit studies.

While playing games is a fun way to learn language arts, it’s not always a smooth tie-in to a unit study topic. However, I love having options.

I use games sometimes to keep language arts front and center if I don’t have an exact language art tie-in to our current unit study.

  • Another favorite is Scrabble. Attempt to think of words used in your unit study and spell them. It helps with vocabulary too.
  • Mad Libs are timeless and fun play.

Don’t forget that I have the Ultimate Unit Study Planner. Having an eye for detail and creating many unit studies with multiple levels of kids, I know you’ll love it.

5. Free Curriculum Online.

Then of course nothing beats free – ever. However, I didn’t list free resources first because sometimes it’s harder to use free resources.

Not always related to your unit study curriculum, free curriculum can be hard to tie to your subject.

So what I’ve learned through the years is to cover the parts of language art which naturally fit into my current unit study.

Then, I can add in supplementary or free resources.

How to Easily Add Language Arts to Homeschool Unit Studies (& Resources)

Do not let fear of missing something make you miss out on delight-directed learning.

Fill your shelves with more how-to books so that you truly enjoy the freedom of homeschooling in the way that best fits your children.

Do you have any favorite multi-level teaching resources or ways you add language arts to your unit studies?

You’ll love some of these other helps:

Hugs and love ya,

Fairy Tale Story Stone Ideas & How to Use Them

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I’m excited to share these fairy tale story stone ideas with you today. You can use them with preschoolers through elementary to add another layer of creativity to your homeschool day.

In a world filled with screens full of flashing lights and constant stimulation, simple hands-on activities can create some of the most meaningful learning experiences for children.

One timeless activity is the use of story stones.

Fairy Tale Story Stone Ideas & How to Use Them

These small painted rocks spark imagination, encourage storytelling, and help children connect deeply with classic fairy tales and creative play.

Story stones are smooth stones or pebbles decorated with pictures, symbols, characters, or scenes.

Each stone represents part of a story. Children can pick stones randomly or arrange them in a sequence to create their own tale.

Some story stones are designed around traditional fairy tales like Little Red Riding Hood, The Three Little Pigs, or Jack and the Beanstalk, while others feature animals, objects, emotions, or made-believe creatures that inspire original stories.

FAIRY TALE BOOKS FOR KIDS

Next, I rounded up fairy tale books.

We prefer living books when we can find them.

15 Books for Kids Who Love Reading and Being Read To About Fairy Tales, Legends, and Folk Tales

You’ll love adding these books to your home library about fairy tales, legends and folk tales.

Story stones are easy to make at home using acrylic paint or paint pens.

Because they are tactile and durable, children enjoy handling them, sorting them, and using them during imaginative play.

5 WAYS TO USE YOUR STORY STONES

One of the best things about story stones is their flexibility. They can be used in classrooms, homeschool lessons, libraries, speech therapy sessions, or simply during family story time.

1. RETELLING FAIRY TALES

Choose a familiar fairy tale and create stones featuring the main characters and important story elements. For example, for Goldilocks and the Three Bears, you might include stones with Goldilocks, Papa Bear, Mama Bear, Baby Bear, the cottage, bowls of porridge, chairs, and beds.

Invite children to place the stones in order while retelling the story. This strengthens memory, sequencing skills, and comprehension. Younger children can simply identify characters, while older children can retell the story with greater detail.

2. CREATING ORIGINAL STORIES

Mix stones from different sets together and encourage children to invent their own adventure. Imagine a dragon meeting Cinderella in a forest beside a pirate ship. Children naturally become storytellers when given visual prompts.

This activity develops creativity, language skills, and confidence in self-expression. It also encourages flexible thinking because there is no “right” answer.

3. SUPPORTING EARLY LITERACY

Story stones are excellent tools for developing vocabulary and communication skills. Adults can ask questions such as:

  • What happens next?
  • How does the character feel?
  • What problem does the hero need to solve?
  • Can you think of a different ending?

These discussions help children build narrative structure, descriptive language, and critical thinking.

4. GROUP STORYTELLING GAMES

In groups (like co-op) or family settings, children can sit in a circle and take turns choosing a stone to continue the story. This encourages listening skills, cooperation, and social interaction. Even shy children often feel more comfortable participating when they have a visual object to guide them.

5. SENSORY AND CALMING ACTIVITIES

Because story stones are smooth and tactile, they can also be calming tools for children who benefit from sensory play. Keeping a basket of story stones in a reading corner creates a quiet invitation for imaginative exploration.

Fairy Tale Story Stone Ideas & How to Use Them

Story stones can be added to read aloud time, placed throughout the yard for your child to find like a treasure hunt that they can then relate as a story to you, or pull random stones from the basket and take turns telling the next part of the story.

MORE STORY STONE IDEAS TO BUILD YOUR COLLECTION

HOW TO MAKE STORY STONES

Your story stones can be created to highlight specific stories like Little Red Riding Hood, Beauty and The Beast, The Three Little Pigs or you can simply use easily identifiable images for your child to recreate their own story from scratch.

I like to include 1-2 “characters”, a place like a castle or toadstool, a protagonist for added drama-a wizard, a dragon, or troll work well.

You will need:

Fairy Tale Story Stone Ideas & How to Use Them

I also like to keep a book of fairy tales close by for inspiration.

You can also read it aloud and have your child grab the stone that relates to where you are in your stories.

Fairy Tale Story Stone Ideas & How to Use Them

First, decide what designs you would like to include.

Lightly sketch out the designs on your stones with a pencil, this helps you place and fit it before you begin with paint.

Fairy Tale Story Stone Ideas & How to Use Them

You can paint with a small paintbrush and acrylic paint.

But I find that paint pens work well and give you such good control.Paint the base of your design and allow that to dry, they dry pretty quickly.

Fairy Tale Story Stone Ideas & How to Use Them

Continue painting and adding detail until you are satisfied with your design.

Once fully dry, flip them over and paint more designs on the other side to double your usage.

Fairy Tale Story Stone Ideas & How to Use Them

Here is one side…

Fairy Tale Story Stone Ideas & How to Use Them

And then the other…

Fairy Tale Story Stone Ideas & How to Use Them

To help them last longer, spray both sides with clear sealant or a couple layers of modge podge.

Fairy Tale Story Stone Ideas & How to Use Them

Once the sealer is dry, place them in a bucket or basket, you can also scatter them on your child’s bookshelf as an appealing invitation.

Free and Easy 8 Elements for Poetry Printables

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I have a free and easy 8 elements of poetry printables. This free printable about the 8 elements of poetry was created to use for grades 3 to high school.

Yes, language arts require paying attention to detail, but poetry allows a child to do it in a fun and meaningful way. I think poetry should be required in every language arts curriculum.

Poets use specific tools to create meaning, sound, structure and emotion. And these tools are called the elements of poetry.

Free and Easy 8 Elements for Poetry Printables

When children learn elements like theme, imagery, and tone, they begin to read more carefully.

And one of the benefits of teaching my children poetry is that it creates better writers. To this day, all my children love writing.

Poetry allows children more creative expression, and it is an outlet for emotional expression too. Besides, poetry supposed to be read aloud, and it helps children develop the confidence needed to speak aloud.

POETRY RESOURCES TO PAIR WITH THE POETRY PRINTABLE

First, look at some of these books and poetry resources I’ve enjoyed.

Middle to High School Poetry Books & Curriculum

Grab some of these books for your middle to high school students and instill a love of poetry. It doesn't have to be that hard to learn about figurative language.

Next, look at these other poetry printables and hands-on ideas

MORE POETRY PRINTABLES AND RESOURCES

Free and Easy 8 Elements for Poetry Printables

Now, how to grab the freebie.  It’s a subscriber freebie.

HOW TO GET THE FREE 8 ELEMENTS OF POETRY PRINTABLE

That means when you sign up to follow me, you get my emails in your inbox and you get this freebie.

1) CLICK HERE ON THIS LINK TO SIGN UP ON MY EMAIL LIST & TO GET THIS FREEBIE.

2) Grab the freebie instantly.

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Awesome Features Of Critical Thinking & Free Elementary Inference Cards

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How to teach your child the features of critical thinking can be done through natural conversations and interactions. Also, look at my page How To Homeschool Elementary Students Like A Pro.

Too, I have free Think It Through inference booster cards which are perfect for grades 3 to 6. You can grab it below when you enter your email.

But what is critical thinking? How can you explain it to your child? A simple definition works best.

Awesome Features Of Critical Thinking & Free Elementary Inference Cards

For example, you can tell your child that critical thinking means asking good questions based on information. And it means to look below the surface or the obvious to see what makes sense.

During the elementary years is the perfect time to nurture the questions your child has. Welcome questions from your child no matter how strange they may seem.

In addition, keep tools and games handy logic puzzles, books, science kits, maps, story discussion cards and tools to build with. For instance, LEGO and simple machine kits are fun hands-on activities.

HOMESCHOOL CURRICULUM CRITICAL THINKING

Next, look at some laid out curriculum which helps you with specific tips if you want laid out or are struggling with getting your child on board.

7 Critical Thinking Homeschool Curriculum

In homeschool, a critical thinking curriculum can be a standalone, a specific course or workbook just for logic or reasoning. Or it can be integrated into other subjects like history or science.

Next, look at a few more critical thinking activities and tools.

MORE BUILD CRITICAL THINKING ACTIVITIES FOR KIDS

Awesome Features Of Critical Thinking & Free Elementary Inference Cards

Now, how to grab the freebie. It’s a subscriber freebie.

HOW TO GET THE FREE THINK IT THROUGH INFERENCE BOOSTER CARDS

1) CLICK HERE ON THIS LINK TO SIGN UP ON MY EMAIL LIST & TO GET THIS FREEBIE.

2) Grab the freebie instantly.

3) Last, look for all my emails in your inbox. Glad to have you following me