My Side of the Mountain

My Side of the Mountain | 5th Grade Literature | Kolbe Academy Catholic Classical Curriculum

My Side of the Mountain follows Sam Gribley, a boy who leaves his crowded city home to live alone in the Catskill Mountains. With only a few supplies and what he can learn from books and observation, Sam builds shelter, gathers food, and trains a falcon, gradually discovering what it means to depend on skill, patience, and careful attention to the natural world.

His adventure brings both freedom and difficulty. Weather, hunger, and loneliness test his resolve, while his growing knowledge teaches him discipline and responsibility. As the seasons pass, Sam comes to understand that independence requires perseverance and thoughtful use of what has been entrusted to him.

Written in an engaging narrative with journal entries and observations, the novel supports sustained reading and discussion while inviting reflection on maturity, stewardship, and the balance between solitude and community. Selected for fifth-grade readers, My Side of the Mountain strengthens comprehension and written response while encouraging students to consider self-reliance and growth in character.

Course Information

This Grade 5 literature course deepens comprehension and introduces more sustained literary analysis through a year of classic fiction, historical narrative, and adventure. Core readings include Island of the Blue Dolphins, Where the Red Fern Grows, My Side of the Mountain, Calico Captive, and The Hobbit. Students develop mature reading habits through guided discussion, regular reading checks, and written responses that support clear, organized thinking.

Poetry study is integrated throughout the year using our Classic Poems Across the Ages text and extends beyond recitation to include imagery, structure, and meaning. Students also complete structured journal work, paragraph practice, and projects. The course supports adaptable pacing, allowing instructors to adjust reading and writing workload as needed while preserving instructional coherence. Detailed lesson plans and teacher keys support both independent student growth and confident instruction.

Courses this book is used in:

• Literature 5:
  
  • Digital Homeschool
  • Homeschool - This course includes multiple reading tracks to support different reading levels. Please use the Course Plan to choose your books and weekly assignments, since the titles and pacing vary by track. Families may change tracks if needed, but we recommend switching only at a unit/quarter break so you can continue smoothly without repeating the same content. My Side of the Mountain is used in all three reading plans.

Course this book was previously used in:

• Discontinued: Elementary Literature
• Materials for the discontinued Elementary Literature course may still be purchased while supplies last. To find available Elementary Literature course materials, click here.