Newsela launched in 2013 with a bold mission: Meaningful classroom learning for every student. Today, our team constantly strives to deliver powerful solutions that inspire our users.
15 Student-Favorite Titles for National Book Lovers Day
Christy Walters
July 9, 2025
At Newsela, we like to take every opportunity we can to celebrate books and reading. So while National Book Lovers Day on August 9 might be an unofficial holiday, we think it’s a great time to celebrate the most popular novel and book students searched and used by teachers like you on Newsela ELA.
Use these book suggestions and resources as you begin to plan your back-to-school lessons before your students return in the fall!
Fun fact: Each novel is listed in the order of most-used by teachers and students on Newsela ELA!
[Elementary school novel and book studies for National Book Lovers Day](id-elementary)
Elementary students will love stories about mythological heroes, finding your voice, and learning what life was like for young people in different eras. Share books and novels like:
The first book in Riordan’s “Percy Jackson and the Olympians” series introduces the titular character and his cross-country quest to find his father, rescue his mother, and learn more about himself. Students can build background knowledge on the themes in this novel using resources like:
An interactive video on the genres of myths and legends.
Texts of famous Greek myths and legends featuring characters like Poseidon, Hades, and Zeus.
An interactive video that explores the question: What makes a hero?
In Palacio’s novel, 10-year-old Auggie battles bullying and challenges at school due to his facial differences, but his kindness and courage help him earn friendship and acceptance as the year goes on. Students can better understand the themes of this novel with resources like:
An article about the inherent human trait of kindness and why it’s important.
An interactive video biography of Judy Heumann, nicknamed the “Mother of the Disability Rights Movement.”
An article about how the movie adaptation of “Wonder” taught students to be kind.
In Anderson’s historical fiction novel, 14-year-old Mattie has to struggle to survive the Philadelphia yellow fever epidemic on 1793, while also caring for others and enduring personal losses and hardships along the way. Students can learn more about this historical event and the novel with resources like:
An interactive video that explains what epidemics are and how they form.
A video biography of author Laurie Halse Anderson.
An article about how information from past epidemics helped to predict the way the COVID-19 pandemic would end.
In Hesse’s historical fiction novel, teenager Billie Jo must reconcile with her father and overcome loss and injury during Oklahoma’s Dust Bowl. Students can learn more about this historical period and themes of the novel with resources like:
An interactive video about the Depression and the Dust Bowl.
An interview with Dust Bowl migrants about their experiences during this event.
A fictional short story about a young girl’s reflections on the drought and dust storms during this period.
Yousafzai’s memoir tells the story of a young girl who stood up for women’s rights to education under Taliban oppression. She survived an assassination attempt and became a global symbol for the fight for education and women’s rights. Students can learn more about Malala’s story with resources like:
An interactive video biography of Malala.
An informational article about Muhammad and the Islamic faith.
Multiple articles on the arrest and fate of Malala’s attempted assassins.
[Middle school novel and book Studies for National Book Lovers Day](id-middle)
Middle schoolers will love stories with coming-of-age themes, relatable characters, and engaging plots. Share books and novels like:
Hinton’s novel follows teenager Ponyboy Curtis and his friend group, the Greasers, as they deal with violence and the struggle for identity when compared to their rivalry with the elite Socs. Students can learn more about the themes of this novel with resources like:
An explainer article that looks at the social dynamics of the 1960s.
An article that explores why stereotypes should be avoided.
The full text of Robert Frost’s “Nothing Gold Can Stay,” an important poem referenced in the novel.
In Muñoz Ryan’s novel, Esperanza is forced to flee her privleged life in 1930s Mexico after her father’s murder and the loss of her family’s wealth. She must adapt to life as a migrant worker in California during the Great Depression and reset what her idea of family looks like. Students can better understand the themes of this novel with resources like:
An explainer article on the history of the Mexican Revolution.
A video biography of United Farmworkers advocate Dolores Huerta.
An article that explains how to deal with the death of a loved one.
In Alexander’s novel in verse, preteen Josh Bell experiences sibling rivalry and family loss. He must figure out how to balance his love for basketball with these and other challenges of growing up. Students can learn more about the themes in this novel with resources like:
A video interview with author Kwame Alexander.
An interactive video that explores novels in verse.
Articles about how real basketball players use the sport as an opportunity for inclusion and equality.
Park’s novel tells parallel stories of fictional Nya, a girl who deals with a water crisis in her village, and the real-life experiences of Salva Dut, one of Sudan’s Lost Boys who brings clean water to his homeland. Students can learn more about the events and themes of this novel with resources like:
An interactive video about the people of Sudan and South Sudan.
An article that shares stories from around the world that showcase our global water crisis.
An interactive video that explains how and why clean water and sanitation are important.
In Cisneros’ novel, readers follow a year in the life of Esperanza Cordero, a Chicana girl living in a poor Latino neighborhood in Chicago. Students can learn more about the author and the themes of the book with resources like:
A video biography about author Sandra Cisneros.
An article about how Cisneros uses writing as a form of therapy.
An article that explores the language shift among Hispanic-American families and how many of them speak English, not Spanish, at home.
[High school novel and book studies for National Book Lovers Day](id-high)
High schoolers will love stories that look at different facets of the human experience, dive deep into interesting historical events, and help them question and understand the world around them. Share novels and books like:
In Stone’s novel, high schooler Justyce McAllister confronts racism and brutality after a wrongful arrest. He writes letters to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. as he tries to find his own identity and navigate a divided society. Students can learn more about the author and themes in this novel with resources like:
A video biography of author Nic Stone.
A biography of civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr.
An article about how current-day teenagers in Michigan are using their podcast to redefine perceptions and push back against negative stereotypes in their community.
In Bradbury’s dystopian novel, Guy Montag questions society’s ban on books and goes against his job to preserve knowledge and free thought. Students can learn more about the themes in the novel with resources like:
A video that explores how to recognize the theme of dystopia in media.
An opinion essay that explores why the plot of the novel is terrifying.
An explainer article that looks at the protections of the First Amendment.
In Steinbeck’s Depression-era novel, two migrant workers, George and Lennie, travel to California for work, but find themselves caught up in heavy situations that lead them to make hard choices. Students can learn more about the themes in this novel with articles on topics like:
In Orwell’s allegorical novella, farm animals overthrow their human farm and establish their own society, but the pigs eventually stage a takeover and illustrate the corruption and ideas of totalitarianism. Students can learn more about the themes in this novel with resources like:
An interactive video that explains what allegory is.
An explainer article that compares democracy vs. authoritarianism.
An explainer article that looks at the differences among capitalism, communism, and socialism.
In Miller’s dramatization of the Salem Witch Trials, readers become immersed in the hysteria of false accusations, mass paranoia, and the execution of innocent people that happened in Salem, Massachusetts, in 1692. Students can learn more about the themes in the novel with resources like:
An interactive video that explores the true origins and outcomes of the Salem Witch Trials.
An article about the discovery of the spot where 19 people were hanged following the trial convictions.
An explainer article that explores how to spot conspiracy theories.
Turn the page on dull lessons with Newsela ELA
Tapping into student interest topics that align with your curriculum and state mandates is one of the best ways to keep them engaged and excited to learn while meeting your educator goals.
Newsela ELA’sNovel and Book Studies collection can help your students build background knowledge, practice in-context literacy skills, and explore diverse perspectives when you’re reading a whole-class novel or when they’re exploring books for fun.
Not a Newsela customer yet? Sign up for Newsela Lite for free and start your 45-day trial. You’ll get access to our Novel and Book Studies collection and additional premium ELA, social studies, and science content and activities to take your lessons to the next level!
Everything you need to accelerate learning across ELA, social studies, and science
Browse more educational and seasonal content from Newsela.
Blog
Engaging Summer Reading Selections for Every Grade Band
Discover summer reading recommendations for elementary, middle, and high school students and resources to help make the themes of the stories come alive.
Literacy is the foundation for success in school and beyond. Educators need instructional content and tools to elevate their lessons and inspire learners. With this success in mind, we pinpointed four key elements to prioritize when selecting and planning your ELA resources.
Products Overview
