We are proud to announce the release of all-new classroom materials for grades 6, 7, and 8. Whether you are teaching in person or remotely this year, bring inquiry-centered exploration of high-quality fiction, nonfiction, and poetry to your middle school classroom!

The NEW Junior Great Books Series 6–8 meets state and national standards in English language arts through authentic, inquiry-based activities, with a sharp focus on close reading and critical thinking for which our programs are renowned. Clear instructional frameworks simplify implementation, and teacher resources offer flexible ways to extend learning into writing and across the curriculum.

Benefits of the new Junior Great Books Series 6–8 program:

  • Supports close reading and in-depth questioning
  • Stimulates curiosity and builds metacognitive and collaborative skills
  • Builds students’ abilities to develop ideas, use textual evidence, and listen and respond to others
  • Engages all students in higher-level reading, thinking, and discussion
  • Enables students to produce authentic writing rooted in critical thinking
  • Fosters civil discourse that supports social and emotional learning

The new series includes:

  • All NEW high-quality texts of fiction, nonfiction, and poetry: 10 stories, 8 nonfiction texts, and 2 poems at each grade level
  • Contemporary writing by new authors as well as beloved classics by well-known writers
  • In-depth reading, critical thinking, and writing activities
  • Note-taking options focused on author’s craft
  • Differentiated instruction for every core activity
  • Formal and informal assessment options
  • Teacher support and online resources
  • Student book and writing journal
  • Print and digital classroom options