Crossword Puzzle Pack for Use with Messenger by Lois Lowry | Grades 6-9

These Messenger crossword puzzles check vocabulary and story details from Messenger by Lois Lowry, written for Grades 6-9. It is a no-prep 48-page printable PDF with answer keys, sold on Teachers Pay Teachers.

At a glance

• Book: Messenger by Lois Lowry
• Grades: 6th–9th
• Resource type: Crossword puzzles
• Format: 48-page printable PDF
• Answer key: Included
• Teaching duration: 1 Week
• Standards: L.6.4, L.6.6, L.7.4, L.7.6, L.8.4, L.8.6, L.9-10.4, L.9-10.6 and more
• Price: $3.00

Challenge your students to think critically about Messenger by Lois Lowry with this no-prep crossword puzzle pack that goes far beyond simple word recall. Each puzzle pushes readers to dig into character motivations, symbolic elements, setting details, and the novel’s richest vocabulary — turning review into a genuinely engaging act of comprehension and analysis.

If you need a low-prep way to hold students accountable for careful reading while building the skills required for text-based evidence and literary analysis, this set does the heavy lifting. The clues are purposefully layered so you can differentiate naturally across Grades 6–9, supporting struggling readers with straightforward recall while stretching advanced students with inference and thematic connections.

What’s Included:

• 12 crosswords with full answer keys — 10 chapter-unit puzzles covering all 21 chapters and 2 whole-book review puzzles
• Clues that progress from literal comprehension to inference, context-dependent vocabulary, and thematic analysis
• Vocabulary and concepts drawn directly from the novel — characters, plot points, symbolism, and Tier 2/3 academic language
• Well-illustrated pages with thematic artwork that reflect the world of Village, Forest, and Matty’s journey
• Both full-color and black & white versions — print vibrant puzzles for centers or ink-friendly versions for take-home packets
• 48 print-and-go pages — absolutely no prep required

Use these crosswords as chapter quizzes, comprehension checks, guided reading activities, test prep review, literature circle tasks, or independent study assignments. They’re flexible enough to serve as a structured whole-class check or a self-paced enrichment activity for early finishers. Because the puzzles align with the novel’s natural chapter groupings, you can pull one out at the end of each unit or save the two whole-book crosswords for a comprehensive final review.

Crosswords demand that students retrieve and apply what they’ve read — not just recognize words — making them a powerful tool for deepening comprehension and vocabulary retention. This pack directly supports Common Core ELA standards RL.6.1, RL.8.1, RL.6.4, RL.8.4, L.6.4, L.6.6, L.8.4, and L.8.6, helping learners cite textual evidence, determine word meanings in context, and acquire grade-appropriate academic vocabulary.

Get this resource on Teachers Pay Teachers today and give your students a rigorous, puzzle-based way to demonstrate their understanding of Messenger — with zero planning on your part.

Disclaimer:

This product is an independent supplemental resource designed for use with Messenger by Lois Lowry. 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 Messenger resources

All Messenger activities & puzzles

Frequently asked questions

What grade level is this for?

It is written for Grades 6-9 (TpT lists 6th-9th).

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 Messenger?

Yes. This is an independent supplemental resource and does not include the text of Messenger by Lois Lowry, 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.