This month, many of our students at Little Mountain are diving into their first novel studies of the year..
From The Lightning Thief to The Breadwinner, novel studies are a key part of our academic reading and writing programs. But why do we spend several weeks on just one book? Why not read more books, more quickly?
The answer is simple: deep reading builds better thinkers, stronger writers, and more confident learners.
What Is a Novel Study?
A novel study is more than just reading a book – it’s about slowing down to think critically about what we’re reading. Over several weeks, students explore:
- Plot and pacing
- Character development
- Literary devices
- Theme and symbolism
- Historical or cultural context
- Writing techniques used by the author
At the same time, they respond in writing through structured activities such as journal prompts, paragraph analysis, creative responses, and reviews.
Why Deep Reading Matters
In a world full of quick content – scrolling, swiping, skimming – reading one book deeply teaches students to:
- Focus and reflect
They learn to notice small details, ask questions, and make inferences. - Think critically
They begin to connect ideas, compare characters, and evaluate actions or decisions. - Write meaningfully
A deeper understanding of a book leads to stronger writing—especially when students analyze themes or build an argument.
We’re not just helping students understand the story. We’re helping them understand how stories are built – and how they connect to the world around us.
How We Choose Our Books
Each of our stream programs (Deer, Dove, Bear) chooses novels that:
- Match the reading level and maturity of the class
- Introduce students to diverse voices and cultures
- Support our writing goals for the term (e.g., theme analysis, persuasive review writing, etc.)
Some books are short and powerful (Sadako and the Thousand Paper Cranes), while others are complex and layered (The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time). All of them are selected with care.
What You Can Do at Home
You don’t need to read the book alongside your child – but you can help them get more out of the experience:
- Ask questions about the story
“What’s happening so far?” “What do you think the main character should do?” - Encourage discussion
Let your child explain their ideas before or after class. Talking it out builds confidence. - Show curiosity
Even a simple “Tell me about that character!” shows that you value what they’re learning.
Let’s Read Well – Not Just Fast
At Little Mountain, we believe in reading with purpose. Novel studies help students learn to read between the lines, reflect on big ideas, and express their thoughts clearly in writing.