Literature for Middle School

Instructor Image

Teacher: Linda Richardson
Date/Time: Monday - 2:00 PM to 3:00 PM
Recommended Grades: 6th, 7th, 8th
Departments: Language Arts, Sixth Grade Core Classes
Grade Level: Middle School (6th-8th)
Maximum Enrollment: 18

Students will dive into rich and relevant literature while learning how authors use literary terms and devices to make their writing come to life. We will read a variety of literature including novels, short stories, and poetry. Students will be taught how to craft a literary response in clear and guided steps and how to lead and participate in a group discussion. This class pairs beautifully both with the Grammar and Composition classes for middle school students to create a complete language arts block. Students should expect to spend 4 hours a week on homework. Parents will be expected to check their child’s work for quality. Students who were enrolled in last year's literature class should enroll again in this  course as  all new literature has been selected. 

The final booklist will be updated by June 1, 2025. 

Tentative booklist: 

Wind in the Willows (unabridged) and andy version is fine; here is an example: https://www.amazon.com/Wind-Willows-Original-Illus/dp/B00497QP0E/ref=sr_1_10?crid=38CGFHVU5QGJ0&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.XFjxvgK2rOoI7BijxpPaks68RhvxlsUw0hC8d5O_OBiTA4l_7_7KjhQ6lEZtWyOtAhnZWdTPwGFoYwWlttDPfdOA45I_mhIhaQ-3jp1rBgNdvwuJIM7gUIZNZVPx0TFKNij_Nz3tMqlNSQdxHQNVj_qGR76r-hYFLJoNE4yw9bGMEPYdipaKi6lzkPnVhH1EdfEVUzDT4OlJvdvy1VIPlt18LLfuVhc4AoD6ujvwRQnv3wJQZt_dVSSpdN5O0_PlvB_tiucYq6sWLF_Tv1LOGxTAV8T3_nzue-PADCpm_gLyJ2HbMOv1UzsQAH-R8Z_kDLJTn8AXQF5oVFwCevxdxc1pzM3-qgO40TqM9eSXfCGfYmtq9r88N72m6WrhEDwDF2SjgjYFPrIeY6nVj9xy-QBRbdNiiNs63pXr2z4riJVYHQR2Af8O3y6qxmaBXW8C.WNcmxClGEV4qe95nsHo7tz3PY_mOV3oH_2PK6WL7yx0&dib_tag=se&keywords=the+wind+in+the+willows&qid=1740958006&sprefix=the+wind+in+the+willows%2Caps%2C133&sr=8-10

The Prince and the Pauper (unabridged) any version is fine: https://www.amazon.com/Prince-Pauper-Signet-Classics/dp/0451528352/ref=sr_1_2?crid=16O3W8D3PM9HV&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.KQIBCEJzTAle0rWOQzeCsxY6yBLENi_94OC_pxyGlKS7u_ti-cjRAVhBmHEB0vj823lwPqpGldIpwFmbiF_KoUX5vkYMMxS-KOIJvOLflMrFHB90KDavgBrff0xO9kUWZ9bH9RRVUELz3wwy_wiVGgYOAB3rZnsxIcrC-Nhi-eyLC9_9KLYKtKJEvXdu14-mvB58juMeTIb4IZ6Q7CAQGegGD8IWXjLFmp0zWr6Bm8M.WMz7z8_oTlGtSWEHGrBnoV_4ZiSWj7uRysTd06j9s-c&dib_tag=se&keywords=the+prince+and+the+pauper&qid=1740958067&sprefix=the+prince+and+the+pauper%2Caps%2C128&sr=8-2

Anne of Green Gables (unabridged) any version is fine: https://www.amazon.com/Anne-Green-Gables-Puffin-Bloom/dp/0147514002/ref=sr_1_4?crid=1VEPLNYMGUJJ5&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.GK0d89nf091dqUYVIrbfnInFUhsrIAzIbhveAEbV-RzJhac3uD9hN6WjWIUIjrlbdhCtcGWG5a147dl8YAuxgp2OEkQaGRmEpO5eAa3Hf2sBMWu-V9ksh9kAHH4TwvzZhQQ6UggvIB-xunBhp_TLar7fMpKZBCK0kmeS8kYjwxtxzskE-aBC-oTh0-GCkVXdQrwWTs2d-srW-3yxvYxTnkNfomjTgSgaiPEqxSWI8LI.eX6EWE1aFwHCXAm3877nhy3_v4BbZ88CXQW4cL1wuzU&dib_tag=se&keywords=anne+of+green+gables&qid=1740958106&sprefix=anne+of+%2Caps%2C120&sr=8-4

Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of Nimh  - any version is fine: https://www.amazon.com/Mrs-Frisby-OBrien-Robert-Paperback/dp/B010712S0Q/ref=sr_1_5?crid=1MIING4DTNGEK&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.JSStzfsv8QFf-rFC9EszyUuh-95gkB7Z2W4-hmuu-1RvBxxacYDx5aVGbWSLnB38s_dPplkGh2hqOAUiqR0GoOYDTPNJgFwq3AcE3ikYYEAXa_CKX-CGejLnNTr1O42XV9A3vyYnCcB-7P_3ffWba9Rw4OnFJE0Z5ui7liYvDW3MMcOTEgK9Z6kDU_VJwryMIhcZziwH-MRX1r8sIuXt01MRI_5wM1c2M6f8XpePSA4.XUWmwXe5_KAGNRX9Nrp79TpwmMIlv6SlIgYlHdQKjBA&dib_tag=se&keywords=mrs.+frisby+and+the+rats+of+nimh&qid=1740958145&sprefix=mrs.+frisb%2Caps%2C126&sr=8-5



There is no diagnostic test needed for entry. 


  • Students are expected to know how to type or be enrolled in a course to learn. 
  • Students are expected to be able to read at a 6th grade reading level.* 
  • Students are expected to dedicate an hour a day to homework. 
  • Students are expected to have Gmail account.
  • Parents are expected to spend 15 minutes a day with their student to check that homework is being completed, to provide guidance, and to answer questions.
  • Parents are expected to provide needed materials for the course prior to the start of the course.

Tuition - $300 a semester 

Materials/Admin fee: $100

Students will need access to a laptop or computer at home.  

Students  will need a working printer at home, a three-hole punch, and  binder. At school students should always have pencils, colored pencils, a pair of scissors, a glue stick along with their binder and textbook.


*Email the instructor at cotillionclubsmv@gmail.com if you are unsure about your child’s reading level.