From Unit Plan: Teaching Imagery with Gary Paulsen

This list includes books authored by Gary Paulsen that are content-appropriate for middle school readers. Many can be purchased at a reduced rate using your Scholastic Book Club catalog. You will also find books that could be used to teach an author study on Gary Paulsen or resources for narrative writing lessons.

Brian's Winter by Gary Paulsen
A parallel story to Hatchet, this story leaves Brian in the woods during the wintertime to expose his survival skills in this unique setting.

Classroom Tip: Provide this novel as suggested reading for students.

Dancing Carl by Gary Paulsen
Most people think Carl is insane, but a couple of young boys figure out how precious he truly is.

Classroom Tip: Provide this novel as suggested reading for students.

Dogsong by Gary Paulsen
Russell, a fourteen-year-old Eskimo boy, longs for the old ways and traditions of his forefathers, and begins a journey of self-discovery across the tundra.

Classroom Tip: Provide this novel as suggested reading for students.

Dogsong: Teaching Guide
This is a resource specifically for Paulsen's novel, Dogsong.

Classroom Tip: If you prefer to conduct literature circles with every student reading just one specific book by Paulsen, this would be a super resource.

Foxman by Gary Paulsen
A classic story using the theme that beauty is not everything, Foxman weaves a tale of a unique friendship between a troubled boy and a disfigured older man.

Classroom Tip: Provide this novel as suggested reading for students.

Guts: The True Stories behind "Hatchet" and the Brian Books by Gary Paulsen
This is the true story of Hatchet as Gary Paulsen reveals his real-life experiences that molded the fictional story that has become a staple of young-adult literature.

Classroom Tip: Provide this novel as suggested reading for students.

Harris and Me by Gary Paulsen
Harris is a trouble-maker, but any student will love reading the humor in this novel.

Classroom Tip: Provide this novel as suggested reading for students.

Hatchet by Gary Paulsen
This is the original story of Brian Robeson and how he survived a plane crash during a Canadian summer.

Classroom Tip: Provide this novel as suggested reading for students.

High-Interest Literature Units: Survival: Teacher-Created Lessons and Activities that Use Favorite Novels to Motivate Kids to Read, Write, and Discuss by Susan Van Zile, Joan Van Kanavy
Are you thinking of using literature circles and teaching novels based on a particular theme? This is a great book to help you start planning! It is centered around popular novels and includes many motivating activities.

Classroom Tip: As many of Paulsen's books incorporate the theme of survival, several activities included in this book can be adapted for a unit on his works.

Narrative Writing: Mini-Lessons "Strategies" Activities by Tara McCarthy
Everything you need to teach how to tell a story effectively is in this book.

Classroom Tip: By giving students a purpose for revising their writing, the revising session becomes more productive. Use the checklists and evaluation forms to allow students to complete peer evaluations of their narrative pieces, and watch their interest peak!

Nightjohn by Gary Paulsen
As told through the eyes of an enslaved young girl named Sarny, this beautiful tale explains how learning to read can be empowering for all people.

Classroom Tip: Provide this novel as suggested reading for students.

Reading Response Trifolds for 40 Favorite Novels: Reproducible Independent Reading Management Tools that Guide Students to Use Essential Reading Strategies and Respond Meaningfully to Literature by Jennifer Cerra-Johansson
Forty of your favorite novels are included in the resources provided by this book. A simple copy of the front and back page that creates a brochure of comprehension chronicles the student's development to higher-order thinking for the chosen book.

Classroom Tip: When conducting literature circles where students choose different books to read, it is difficult to find resources for the choices. This book includes most of the popular language arts selections by providing an assessment that can hold students accountable for reading.

The River (sequel to Hatchet) by Gary Paulsen
Brian is asked to relive his survival story from Hatchet, but this time he takes Derek along to study how he survived.

Classroom Tip: Provide this novel as suggested reading for students.

Sarny (sequel to Nightjohn) by Gary Paulsen
This sequel to Nightjohn follows Sarny as she searches for her children after the end of the Civil War.

Classroom Tip: Provide this novel as suggested reading for students.

Teaching the Novels of Gary Paulsen: Reading Comprehension and Discussion Questions; Graphic Organizers; Vocabulary Activities by Howard Gutner
Looking for resources for teaching Brian's Winter, Dogsong, Woodsong, Hatchet, or The River? This book has reproducibles to practice identifying story elements like sequence, plot, mood, character, and theme.

Classroom Tip: After students select a book to read, each is given a skill practice activity based on each individual's area of need.

Woodsong by Gary Paulsen
This story is autobiographical as Paulsen shares his love of dog sledding.

Classroom Tip: Provide this novel as suggested reading for students.

25 Quick Mini-Lessons to Teach Narrative Writing: Classroom-Tested Lessons with Reproducibles that Sharpen Key Writing Skills and Help Kids Write with Clarity and Confidence by Dave Leochko
These engaging mini-lessons are perfect for the middle school group that has some experience with narrative writing. By differentiating your instruction with mini-lessons, you will be able to focus on what the students need, therefore improving student attentiveness as each lesson is personally relevant.

Classroom Tip: When I identify a universal need, I pick the mini-lesson that fits the need. Upon executing the mini-lesson, writing improves as the instruction is more relevant to the group.