Crossword Puzzle Pack for Use with My Side of the Mountain by J.C. George| 4-7

These My Side of the Mountain crossword puzzles check vocabulary and story details from My Side of the Mountain by Jean Craighead George, 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: My Side of the Mountain by Jean Craighead George
• 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

Challenge your students to think beyond simple recall with this no-prep crossword puzzle pack for My Side of the Mountain by Jean Craighead George. Each of the 12 puzzles pushes readers to make inferences, analyze text, and connect vocabulary to Sam Gribley’s wilderness world.

Save hours of prep time while giving your Grades 4–7 learners a genuinely engaging way to review the novel. These crosswords aren’t just word recognition — they require students to recall character details, interpret plot events, and apply vocabulary in context. Plus, with built-in differentiation across three clue levels, every student finds just the right amount of challenge.

What’s Included:

• 12 crossword puzzles — 10 chapter-grouped puzzles (Chapters 1–22 in 10 content units) plus 2 whole-book review puzzles
• 180 total clues (15 per puzzle) carefully crafted to balance literal recall, inference, and analytical thinking
• Three-tier clue difficulty in every puzzle — 5 easier/literal clues, 7 medium inference clues, and 3 harder analytical clues — so all your readers stay supported and challenged
• Varied clue types — character identity, plot event, setting, vocabulary-in-context, and light inference clues — that keep critical thinking front and center
• Two cumulative review crosswords that pull balanced content from the beginning, middle, and end of the novel — perfect for unit wrap-up or pre-assessment review
• Complete answer keys for every puzzle, with clear clue-and-answer pairs for quick, accurate checking
• Well-illustrated design with thematic artwork that brings the Catskill wilderness into your classroom
• Both full-color and black & white versions — print vibrant copies for centers or ink-friendly ones for everyday use
• Approximately 48 pages of print-and-go material

Use these puzzles flexibly all through your novel study — as literacy centers, guided reading follow-ups, early finisher tasks, homework, or stress-free substitute plans. They’re self-explanatory and require zero teacher introduction, so you can hand them out and let the learning happen. Because the crosswords demand that students recall and apply vocabulary rather than just recognize it, they reinforce deeper comprehension while building the higher-order thinking skills that standardized reading assessments target.

All puzzles are aligned with Common Core Reading: Literature standards RL.4–7.1 (referring to text details and examples), RL.4–7.4 (determining the meaning of words and phrases as used in the text), and Language standards L.4–7.4 and L.4–7.6 (clarifying unknown words and acquiring grade-appropriate vocabulary). It’s rigorous, standards-driven practice disguised as a puzzle your students will actually enjoy.

Get this resource on Teachers Pay Teachers today and give your class a fresh, no-prep way to dig back into Sam’s journey — one clue at a time.

Disclaimer:

This product is an independent supplemental resource designed for use with My Side of the Mountain by Jean Craighead George. 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 My Side of the Mountain resources

All My Side of the Mountain 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 My Side of the Mountain?

Yes. This is an independent supplemental resource and does not include the text of My Side of the Mountain by Jean Craighead George, 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.