Novel Class Sets - Countryside High School

Research has shown that the more students read books, the better they performed on measures of reading comprehension, vocabulary, and fluency (Anderson, Wilson, & Fielding, 1988). Why not get your students reading a novel that relates to your subject area? Several class sets of novels are available in the Media Center and can be checked out for instructional use. Listed below are descriptions of those novels, details, themes, and links to teacher guides and activities.

Shades of Simon Gray by Joyce McDonald

Pre-Reading Activities and Discussion Questions

Additional Discussion Questions

Major Themes:  ethics, white-collar crime, peer pressure

Lexile:  900L

Reading Count Points:  16

272 pages

Fade to Black by Alex Flinn

Teachers Guide

Discussion Questions/Activities and Related Websites

Major Themes:  tolerance, hate crimes, HIV (viruses), Down syndrome, high schools, bullying

Lexile:  590L

Reading Count Points:  9

208 pages

One True Friend by Joyce Hansen

Activities

Major Themes:  relationships, friendship, adoption, family life, dealing with tragedy

Lexile:  720L

Reading Count Points:  10

160 pages

A Door Near Here by Heather Quarles

Lesson Plan: Understanding Alcohol

Lesson Plan: Foster Care

Major Themes:  alcoholism, foster care, economic challenges

Lexile:  860L

Reading Count Points:  13

240 pages

When My Name Was Keoko by Linda Sue Park

Discussion Topics and Questions

Teachers Guide

Major Themes: Korean War, patriotism, courage, culture/traditions

Lexile:  610L

Reading Count Points:  14

208 pages

How to Disappear Completely and Never Be Found by Sara Nickerson

Activities

Major Themes:            forgiveness, grief, drowning

Lexile:  720L

Reading Count Points:  15

288 pages

So Yesterday by Scott Westerfeld

Book Guide

Discussion Guide

Major Themes:            advertising, conspiracies, economics, marketing, popular culture, psychology,

sociology, teenage employment

Lexile:  770L

Reading Count Points:  14

240 pages

Heir Apparent by Vivian Vande Velde

Discussion Guide

Activities

Major Themes:            virtual reality, fantasy games

Lexile:  820L

Reading Count Points:  18

Small Steps by Louis Sachar

Teachers Guide

Four Lessons on Writing Skills for Use with Louis Sachar’s Small Steps and The New York Times

Major Themes:            get-rich-quick schemes, music industry, choices, disability

Lexile:  690L

Reading Count Points:  13

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