If you’ve ever tried teaching CS Lewis The Magician’s Nephew to middle schoolers, you know the magic is real—but so are the challenges. The book is layered, whimsical, and profound. Students love the talking animals, the strange world-hopping magic rings, and of course, Aslan. But what often gets lost in the fun is the depth. The moral questions. The subtle Biblical parallels. The character development.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!That’s exactly why I created this comprehensive reading guide: to help you bring all of it—yes, the fun and the meaning—to life in your classroom.
Why CS Lewis The Magician’s Nephew Still Matters
Before The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, there was Digory, Polly, and a very powerful apple. The Magician’s Nephew is one of those books that gets richer every time you read it. But middle schoolers often need a bit of scaffolding to notice what’s really going on—why the characters matter, what the settings symbolize, and how Lewis plays with big ideas like temptation, obedience, and creation.
This guide is designed specifically for Grades 6–8. It’s thoughtful, structured, and flexible enough to fit any classroom or homeschool setup. Whether you’re reading the whole novel or just doing a deep-dive on certain chapters, this resource saves time and makes your job way easier.
What’s Included in the Resource?
Here’s what you get when you download the CS Lewis The Magician’s Nephew Book Study:
- ✅ Engaging comprehension questions for every chapter
- ✅ Detailed character analysis activities
- ✅ Creative writing prompts
- ✅ Vocabulary support
- ✅ Graphic organizers to help with themes, setting, and character development
- ✅ Bible comparison activities (perfect for Christian educators or literature classes with a worldview approach)
All the materials are ready to print and go, with both PDF and editable formats included for easy customization.
How I Use It in My Own Teaching
When I first introduced this unit to my own students, I wasn’t sure how they’d respond. Some had never heard of Narnia. Others were already fans. What surprised me most was how easily they connected to the characters—especially Digory. They felt his longing, his guilt, his struggle to do the right thing. That’s when I realized: this book speaks to middle schoolers in a profound way, especially when you give them the tools to slow down and reflect.
One of my favorite moments came when we analyzed the scene in the Wood between the Worlds. A student raised their hand and said, “Miss, it’s like a metaphor for when you’re in between decisions, and you haven’t committed yet.” That insight? Pure gold. And it came because they had space to think, explore, and discuss.
How to Use This Resource in Your Classroom
There’s no one “right” way to use this guide, but here are a few suggestions:
- 📚 Use the comprehension questions as bell-ringers or exit tickets
- 💬 Turn the character analysis into group discussions or presentations
- ✍️ Use the writing prompts for journaling, essays, or creative projects
- 🧠 Extend learning by comparing scenes to biblical passages or other mythologies
- 🔁 Mix and match activities based on your time frame and student needs
A Resource That Grows with the Story
This isn’t a “print-and-go” pack of busywork. It’s something that grows with the students as they move through the novel. It encourages slow reading, reflection, and the kind of discussions that stick with them.
If you’ve been wanting to teach CS Lewis The Magician’s Nephew in a way that feels meaningful but manageable, I hope this guide saves you time and makes your lessons stronger.
👉 Check out the full resource on Teachers Pay Teachers
View CS Lewis The Magician’s Nephew Reading Guide Preview Video:
