Visit this link for an article I wrote on the subject for Teaching Classical Languages
For an annotated list of Latin novels currently available, visit THIS PAGE
Resources for using Novels:
Presentation by Lindsay Sears: Lepidi Novi Libelli
Sears-Tam’s complete lesson plans for teaching Brando Brown Canem Vult
Teaching With Novellas, from Rachel Ash and Miriam Patrick, who have co-written Pluto and Eurydice (upcoming)
Teaching with Novellas, by Robert Patrick
Cloelia: Puella Romana, home page with dowmloadable PDF and teacher resources
Dan Stoa’s post on establishing a FVR program, with list of novels by level
https://comprehensibleantiquity.com/free-volunteer-reading/
Teachers are divided over whether the best use of novels is all-class guided reading, or as a FVR resource, or something in between. Teachers should learn about all these approaches, and experiment with what they are comfortable with, and what will work with their particular students and school culture. I would only advise that lowering anxiety and increasing comfort around reading in Latin should be the highest priority, and this means providing appropriate support so that classes make the best use of reading time.
Student feedback on fvr program:
I recently collected student comments about my FVR program (now in its second year). Students asked for more guidance in what to choose, and more readings that they were already familiar with. This will translate into the following steps:
*periodic advertisement of a book or reading in which I “plug” a new or unknown selection. I may make videos of this as well, or give students extra credit for making review videos in English or Latin.
*Clear grading system with a checklist, so that students can progress through all the available books in levels A through E, and ultimately to unadapted Latin texts
*more simple adaptations of popular fiction, e.g. Harry Potter, Hobbitus, fairy tales, Greek and Roman myths, simple Roman history narratives, graphic novels, NLE readings from discitur legendo, etc.
*Print and bind more student-created readers, and make them visible and available. Also, convert Movie Talk slideshows into simple readers, with illustrations from the film clips.
*reading groups. Students have the option of reading the same thing at the same time, then once a month they can discuss what they are reading, in Latin or English (or both). Students who are reading their own choice, can share what they read in small groups.