Middle Grade Novel Terms word search, scramble and crossword puzzle

I made this middle grade novel terms puzzle set for my Year 5 and Year 6 pupils during our reading unit. The kids loved longer novels but had no idea what words like protagonist, antagonist, or climax meant when we talked about plot and characters. So I put together a word search, a word scramble, and a crossword using words like secret, family, adventure, discovery, courage, identity, friendship, belong, change, and hope. Nothing fancy — just puzzles to help the novel vocabulary finally stick.

The download is six pages. Three puzzles plus an answer key page for each. The word search works well for quiet time after break or wet play. The scramble gets them talking because they argue about whether the antagonist is always a villain. The crossword I use for partners or as a review. I added a couple simple book, star, and magnifying glass drawings but nothing too busy.

Works for Years 5 to 7. Print and go. Sometimes I have early finishers write a short book recommendation using three words from the puzzle on the back. The kids actually ask for these now.