A Fiction Addiction: A Deep Dive Book of the Month Novel Study for Grades 5-8

As a teacher and avid reader (voted "Biggest Bookworm" in high school!), I love analyzing books with students-- and I especially love urging them to dig deep and think about books beyond "it was great." This class seeks to engage students in meaningful discussion about books while also touching on literary devices like symbolism, foreshadowing, tone, historical connections, genre style, and voice. 

We will read high-interest books of different genres that will appeal to even reluctant readers! 

In addition to simply discussing books, students will learn literary analysis skills. We look at strategies found in Thomas Foster's "How to Read Literature Like a Professor" to help deepen our understanding of the text.

After each book, students are given an optional essay assignment in which they are welcome to submit to me for guidance and feedback.

**Students should attend the first class having read approximately one-fourth of the chosen book. Our reading schedule is posted below and students also have access to the month's book in pdf form upon sign up**

Please note that we read one book per month/per session, and that it is the student's responsibility to acquire and read the first one-fourth of the book before class begins. These books are widely available wherever books are sold or borrowed, as well as in e-book format.

You are welcome to sign up for this class many times; each month is a different book!

2024 Schedule:

March SESSION: Fever 173 by Laurie Halse Anderson (Historical Fiction)
Summary: During the summer of 1793, Mattie Cook lives above the family coffee shop with her widowed mother and grandfather. Mattie spends her days avoiding chores and making plans to turn the family business into the finest Philadelphia has ever seen. But then the fever breaks out.

Disease sweeps the streets, destroying everything in its path and turning Mattie's world upside down. At her feverish mother's insistence, Mattie flees the city with her grandfather. But she soon discovers that the sickness is everywhere, and Mattie must learn quickly how to survive in a city turned frantic with disease.

Length: 272 pages
ISBN13: 9780689848919
Grades: 5 - 9

Week of January 5th: Chapters 1-5
Week of January 12th: Chapters 6-13
Week of January 19th: Chapters 14-22
Week of January 26th: 23-Epilogue
April: The Unwanteds by Lisa McMann (Fantasy)
Summary: Every year in Quill, thirteen-year-olds are sorted into categories: the strong, intelligent Wanteds go to university, and the artistic Unwanteds are sent to their deaths.

Thirteen-year-old Alex tries his hardest to be stoic when his fate is announced as Unwanted, even while leaving behind his twin, Aaron, a Wanted. Upon arrival at the destination where he expected to be eliminated, however, Alex discovers a stunning secret--behind the mirage of the "death farm" there is instead a place called Artime.

In Artime, each child is taught to cultivate their creative abilities and learn how to use them magically, weaving spells through paintbrushes and musical instruments. Everything Alex has ever known changes before his eyes, and it's a wondrous transformation.

But it's a rare, unique occurence for twins to be separated between Wanted and Unwanted, and as Alex and Aaron's bond stretches across their separation, a threat arises for the survival of Artime that will pit brother against brother in an ultimate, magical battle.

ISBN: 978-1442407695

416 Pages
Reading Schedule Updated Soon!