Middle grades historical fiction novels have come a long way from the books available ‘decades’ ago. In fact, this growing genre is now bursting with fantastic, inspiring, and insightful novels. It comes as no surprise that these books are finding their way into middle school ELA curricula and make up some of the best middle school historical fiction novel studies at LIT Lessons.

Historical fiction novels offer the best opportunities for cross-curricular learning. They provide the perfect chance for students to trace the impact of history from past to present and discuss the important questions and lessons that arise from these connections. Below are our 10 best middle school historical fiction novel studies (in no particular order) and a description of the resources included to effectively build background knowledge and teach the history embedded in each novel.

1 | Refugee Novel Study

The 18 close reading lessons develop students’ background knowledge about refugees. Using these informational texts, students will learn about the refugee experience, refugee crises around the world, and the United States’ and the world community’s treatment of refugees historically. Extension activities give you the power to choose how to enhance your students’ knowledge about this topic. Any or all of these nine activities provide a structure for students to conduct investigations about the refugee experience or demonstrate agency to address the crisis. You know your students best and can use them in a tailored to their interests. Plus, students will be developing their critical thinking skills through the activities as they analyze documentaries, examine the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, or draft donation proposals, among others.

2 | Chains Novel Study

The Revolutionary War spy resources provide everything you need not only to explain but also help your students experience America’s first espionage operations. The resources supply foundational knowledge about spying and Revolutionary War spies. Then, they provide a structure to guide students through fun, engaging activities that will develop their critical thinking skills by putting them in the shoes of a Revolutionary War era spy. These activities easily make the Chains Novel Study one of the best middle school historical fiction novel studies we offer!

3 | The Book Thief Novel Study

The historical nonfiction close reading lessons develop students’ background knowledge about the international dynamics leading toward World War II, the rise of the Nazi regime, and the Holocaust. For the extension activity, students will dive deeper into World War II with an inquiry of their choosing.

4 | The Door of No Return Novel Study

The Door of No Return Novel Study nonfiction activity sets will build students’ background knowledge about the history of West Africa and culture of the Asante Kingdom. Because both influence the characters and events in the novel, students will deepen their understanding of the text as they synthesize informational texts, conduct research, and engage in creative tasks about these topics.

5 | Grenade Novel Study

The Pacific Theater often receives less attention when studying World War II. Yet, it played a pivotal role in the War. Events in The Pacific Theater dramatically shaped the post-War global order. The 18 readings, 9 activities, and project provide a comprehensive set of materials to help students understand the Pacific Theater, a complex yet critical topic for developing an expansive view of world history amongst students. With these resources, students will engage in a range of activities to deepen their knowledge about the events leading up to WWII, fighting in the Pacific Theater, the effects of the War, and more. In the end, students not only will have broadened their horizons but also their own critical thinking abilities.

6 | Prairie Lotus Novel Study

Through a set of texts to pair with the novel, students will build their background knowledge about the history of Chinese immigration to the United States, westward expansion and its impact on First Nations, and aspects of everyday life in the late 19th century. As students engage with the readings, they will also practice key literacy skills aligned to the Common Core Standards, such as using textual evidence, identifying author’s purpose, and making inferences, to name just a few. They also will develop their critical thinking skills as they synthesize ideas across texts and make connections to Prairie Lotus. By the time students finish reading, writing, and analyzing these materials, they will have grown in their ability to think critically, consider new perspectives, and carry with them a deeper understanding of this complex history.

7 | The Story That Cannot Be Told Novel Study

The 14 nonfiction close readings will build your students’ knowledge about the post-WWII period in history. With a particular focus on the Soviet Union and the Soviet Bloc, the readings illuminate the forces that contributed to deep tensions throughout the Cold War. Since The Story That Cannot Be Told is set in Romania, they focus on the Soviet Union and the Soviet Bloc in order to enhance your students’ understanding of the goals, principles, and tactics that shaped the story’s setting. Students will be able to synthesize across the non-fiction readings and the novel, building their critical thinking skills in the process. They will learn about communism’s rise as a governing philosophy, the ways authoritarianism takes hold, and how ordinary people come to experience its effects.

8 | Ground Zero Novel Study

With a diverse set of materials, such as historical documents, a speech, a podcast, documentaries, oral histories, debate, and much more, the 15 nonfiction texts and 15 activities paired with them will engage all learners about the history of the September 11th attacks, deepening their knowledge about this tragic but consequential event. By using a variety of sources in such a variety of ways for close reading, students will grow their ability to comprehend, analyze, and synthesize. They all also provide students opportunities to think critically and practice essential skills aligned to the reading of informational and historical texts under the Common Core State Standards. Plus, the resource allows for differentiation, accommodation, and flexible implementation to cover a range of topics related to 9/11.

9 | Finding Langston Novel Study

The Great Migration often receives less attention during studies of U.S. history. Yet, it had profound consequences. The 10 non-fiction texts provide context for the historical events that set the stage for the Great Migration, the factors that catalyzed it, and its lasting impact. With these resources, students will practice close reading while analyzing the Great Migration. They will also build background knowledge to better help them understand the novel. Then, the 4 extension activities take your students even deeper. They provide an avenue for your students to study the Great Migration from different perspectives and learn about the time period to better understand it. The activities include an independent novel study, an examination of the Chicago Blues, an examination of Jacob Lawrence’s The Migration Series, and an essay choice board.

10 | Of Mice and Men Novel Study

The pre-reading resources will help your students understand the key settings and time periods that shape the novel. They will aid students’ comprehension by providing information about the context in which the novel’s events take place. Rather than wondering about what characters are talking about, they will become their own experts. Also included is The American Dream project, which provides an inquiry-based approach for students to engage at a deeper level with Of Mice and Men. Through a deep examination of what the American Dream means today, students will have the opportunity to synthesize the novel’s key themes and understand its relevance to the world around them. The comprehensive set of materials will help you guide your students through several, unique learning experiences that will develop numerous critical-thinking skills, such as researching, investigating, creating, and presenting, among others.