J.R.R. Tolkien – The Hobbit

What can a reluctant hero teach students about bravery and growth? Engage your middle schoolers with Tolkien’s The Hobbit!

Two middle school students, a boy and a girl, reading an open book from which stylized silhouettes of literary characters emerge, symbolizing vulnerability, internal conflict, and personal growth in literature.
C.S. Lewis - The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe C.S. Lewis - The Magician's Nephew H. Lee - To Kill a Mockingbird Homer's The Iliad J.R.R. Tolkien - The Hobbit

What Makes a Character Relatable to Middle School Students?

Why do some literary characters stay with students long after the last page is turned? This article explores vulnerability, inner conflict, and personal growth as key elements that help middle school readers connect deeply with stories across classic and modern literature.

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