Book series have a special place in students’ hearts and in literacy instruction. From Harry Potter to Percy Jackson, series spark engagement, build reading stamina, and create lasting connections with characters. This post explores classroom activities for book series, including Newbery winners and the Doctor Dolittle books, that help students practice critical thinking, inference, and media literacy.
This post uses Newbery winners and classic series like Doctor Dolittle to explore how book series can support literacy instruction across time through data analysis, media comparison, and historical context.
Whether you’re looking for a quick discussion prompt or a full Google Slides activity, these ideas are designed to work in both digital and traditional classrooms.
Grab the free handout here. It includes all the printables and Google Slides activities from this post.
Book Series Classroom Activities
Activity 1: Exploring Book Series Through Newbery Winners
Some of the most popular children’s books are part of a series. Take a look at these sales figures:
- Harry Potter – 500 million
- Diary of a Wimpy Kid – 150 million
- Goosebumps – 350 million
- Percy Jackson – 400 million
- The Chronicles of Narnia – 120 million
Now compare that to the Newbery Medal winners. How many are part of a series? What patterns do you notice?
Class Discussion Prompts:
- What percentage of Newbery winners in the last 20 years are part of a series?
- Do authors tend to write the series before or after winning the award?
- Why are books in a series so popular with readers?
- Do you prefer series or standalone books? Why?
| Year | Title and Author | Number in Series |
|---|---|---|
| 1999 | Holes by Louis Sachar | 1 of 2 |
| 2001 | A Year Down Yonder by Richard Peck | 2 of 3 |
| 2003 | Crispin: The Cross of Lead by Avi | 1 of 3 |
| 2007 | The Higher Power of Lucky by Susan Patron | 1 of 3 |
| 2009 | The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman | 1 of 2 |
| 2012 | Dead End in Norvelt by Jack Gantos | 1 of 2 |
| 2015 | The Crossover by Kwame Alexander | 1 of 2 |
| 2019 | Merci Suárez Changes Gears by Meg Medina | 1 of 3 |
| 2020 | New Kid by Jerry Craft | 1 of 2 |
| 2025 | The First State of Being by Erin Entrada Kelly | 1 of 2 |
Activity 2: Ratings and Inference—Do Awards Predict Popularity?
In this activity, students research star ratings from three different websites for the 20 most recent Newbery winners. Then they analyze the data to answer inference questions.
🔍 Questions to Explore:
- Does being a Newbery winner make a book an instant hit?
- How many titles had consistent ratings of 4.0 or higher across all sites?
- Is the Newbery list a reliable place to find a great book?
- Based on ratings alone, which title would you choose to read?
This activity works well in pairs or small groups. An answer key is included in the Google Slides version for quick use.
Activity 3: Teaching with Doctor Dolittle: Adaptations and Historical Context
The Doctor Dolittle books have inspired multiple film adaptations, from the 1967 musical to the 2020 reboot. Use these versions to teach media literacy and compare storytelling choices.
Venn Diagram Prompts:
- Compare the 1967 and 2020 trailers: What’s similar? What’s different?
- How do casting, tone, and visuals affect audience perception?
- Use the blank diagram to compare any adaptation—book vs. movie, play vs. film, etc.
This activity encourages students to think critically about how stories change across formats.
Reading Historical Texts with Modern Awareness
The original Doctor Dolittle books were written nearly 100 years ago. If you choose to read them aloud or assign them for independent reading, be aware of outdated language and cultural references.
The original Doctor Dolittle books were written nearly 100 years ago. If you choose to read them aloud or assign them for independent reading, be aware of outdated language and cultural references.
Teacher Tip:
Before reading, discuss how older books may contain insensitive content. Prepare students to think critically and compassionately about historical context.
Here are a few links to online versions of the books:
Teacher Checklist: Reading Classic Literature with Care
1. Preview the Text
Read ahead to spot outdated language, stereotypes, or references that may require context.
2. Add Historical Framing
Explain when and why the book was written, noting how social norms have changed since then.
3. Use a Content Advisory
Let students know some sections reflect old attitudes and that analyzing those differences is part of learning.
4. Encourage Open Dialogue
Create a respectful space for students to share reactions, ask questions, and consider multiple viewpoints.
5. Model Critical Reading
Show how to question the author’s choices, compare eras, and recognize both literary value and cultural bias.
6. Provide Supports
Skip or rephrase harmful language when reading aloud, or supply prompts to guide independent readers.
7. Make Modern Connections
Link themes like justice, empathy, and identity to issues students see today.
8. Reflect and Process
End with journaling, discussion, or exit tickets to help students synthesize both content and emotion.
Book series offer a powerful way to connect students with literature. Whether you’re diving into Newbery winners, exploring adaptations, or revisiting classics like Doctor Dolittle, these book series classroom activities will help your students build skills in inference, comparison, and media literacy, all while having fun.
See the product that inspired this post.
Holes Novel Study includes vocabulary practice, comprehension questions, constructed response writing, and skill practice.
