Crossword Puzzle Pack for Use with Home of the Brave by Katherine Applegate

These Home of the Brave crossword puzzles check vocabulary and story details from Home of the Brave by Katherine Applegate, written for Grades 4-7. It is a no-prep 48-page printable PDF with answer keys, sold on Teachers Pay Teachers.

At a glance

• Book: Home of the Brave by Katherine Applegate
• Grades: 4th–7th
• Resource type: Crossword puzzles
• Format: 48-page printable PDF
• Answer key: Included
• Teaching duration: 1 Week
• Standards: L.4.4, L.4.6, L.5.4, L.5.6, L.6.4, L.6.6, L.7.4, RL.4.1 and more
• Price: $3.00

Deepen comprehension and get students thinking critically with this no-prep crossword puzzle pack for Home of the Brave by Katherine Applegate. Each puzzle pushes learners beyond simple recognition — they’ll need to recall characters, plot events, vocabulary, and key themes directly from Kek’s story.

If you’re looking for a way to check understanding without another quiz, these crosswords do the work for you. They challenge students to draw evidence from the text, consider word meanings in context, and make inferences — all while engaging with a puzzle format that feels more like a brain break than an assignment.

What’s Included:

• 10 chapter-unit crosswords that follow the novel’s natural groupings across all 68 chapters — clues blend literal recall, inferential thinking, and vocabulary-in-context (definition-based, fill-in-the-blank, and text-based context clues)
• 2 whole-book review crosswords that spiral back through characters, setting details, figurative language, and the novel’s themes of hope, belonging, and resilience
• 12 puzzles total with complete answer keys for quick, effortless grading
• Well-illustrated design with thematic artwork that reflects the tone of the novel
• Available in both full-color and black & white versions — the ink-saving option prints beautifully without losing clarity
• 48 pages of ready-to-use content — just puzzles, clues, and keys

These crosswords are versatile enough to fit almost any part of your lesson cycle. Use them as a chapter-by-chapter comprehension check, a homework review, a test-prep warm-up, or a collaborative partner activity. They’re also a lifesaver for sub plans, literacy centers, and early finisher work — basically, any moment you need meaningful, independent engagement.

Aligned to Common Core ELA standards for Grades 4–7: RL.4.1, RL.5.1, RL.6.1, RL.7.1 (citing textual evidence), RL.4.4, RL.5.4, RL.6.4, RL.7.4 (determining meaning of words and phrases in text), L.4.4, L.5.4, L.6.4, L.7.4 (determining or clarifying unknown words), and L.4.6, L.5.6, L.6.6, L.7.6 (acquiring and using grade-appropriate vocabulary). The crosswords naturally reinforce these skills — every clue asks students to look back at what they’ve read and make meaningful connections.

Get this resource on Teachers Pay Teachers today and give your students a no-fuss way to review the novel — all with zero prep on your part.

Disclaimer:

This product is an independent supplemental resource designed for use with Home of the Brave by Katherine Applegate. It is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by the author or publisher. All references to characters, settings, and events are used for educational purposes only to support reading comprehension and classroom instruction. This resource does not include the original text. Students must have their own copy of the book to complete the activities. All content in this resource is original and created by the seller.

Fonts Used:
Roboto by Christian Robertson | Open Sans by Steve Matteson | Playfair Display by Claus Eggers Sørensen | Lexend by Dr. Bonnie Shaver-Troup & Thomas Jockin | Poppins by Jonny Pinhorn | Montserrat by Julieta Ulanovsky
(All fonts are available via Google Fonts and licensed for commercial use under the SIL Open Font License.)

More Home of the Brave resources

All Home of the Brave activities & puzzles

Frequently asked questions

What grade level is this for?

It is written for Grades 4-7 (TpT lists 4th-7th).

How long is it?

It is a 48-page printable PDF. Suggested teaching time: 1 Week.

Are answer keys included?

Yes. Answer keys are included.

Do students need their own copy of Home of the Brave?

Yes. This is an independent supplemental resource and does not include the text of Home of the Brave by Katherine Applegate, so students need their own copy.

How do I get this resource?

It is sold on Teachers Pay Teachers ($3.00) as a PDF download. Use the Buy on TpT button on this page.