This section contains references suitable for pre-college level readers, and/or for those with a new or limited interest in Tolkien studies.  Some of these attempt to balance scholarship with entertainment, some are simply condensed or more digestible. .  Juvenile students and writers may have an easier time composing a paper after reading this kind of material.  Which one is most suitable depends on the education level and temperament of the individual student.  Resources for instructors are included.
General Audience

Hobbits, Elves, and Wizards :
Exploring the Wonders and Worlds of J.R.R. Tolkien's "The Lord of the Rings"

St. Martin's Press, Michael N. Stanton

2001 Hardcover   ISBN : 0312238266

Palgrave Macmillan

2002 Softcover   ISBN : 1403960259

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0312238266
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1403960259

I Am in Fact a Hobbit : An Introduction to the life and work of J.R.R. Tolkien

Mercer University Press
Perry C. Bramlett & Joe R. Christopher

2002 Hardcover   ISBN : 086554851X

2003 Softcover   ISBN : 0865548943

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086554851X
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0865548943

The Origins of Tolkien's Middle-Earth for Dummies

For Dummies, Greg Harvey, PhD

2003 Softcover   ISBN : 0764541862

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Youth Oriented

J.R.R. Tolkien : Man of Fantasy

Kipling Press, Russel Shorto

1989 Hardcover   ISBN :  0943718074

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J.R.R. Tolkien: Master of Fantasy

(good, well organized)
 
Lerner Publications, David R. Collins

1992 Lib. Binding   ISBN :  0822549069

1993 Softcover   ISBN :  0822596180

2004 Lib. Binding   ISBN :  0822524708
(expanded to include "interesting facts")

Tandem

2001 Lib. Binding   ISBN :  0613239016

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0822549069
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0822596180
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0822524708

Myth Maker : J.R.R. Tolkien

(very engaging fictionalization of a true story, age 9 and up)
 
Harcourt Brace, Anne E. Neimark

1996 Hardcover   ISBN : 0152988475

Harper Trophy

1998 Softcover   ISBN : 0688157416

Econo-Clad

1999 Lib. Binding   ISBN : 0613084187

Harcourt Children's Books

2012 Hardcover   ISBN : 0547997345

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0152988475
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0688157416
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0547997345

J. R. R. Tolkien :  The Man Who
Created the Lord of the Rings

(very good, but clearly fan written)
 
Stoddart Kids, Michael Coren

2001 Hardcover   ISBN :  077373287X

2001 Softcover   ISBN :  077376285X

Scholastic Biography

2001 Softcover   ISBN :  0439342503

Fitzhenry & Whiteside Ltd.

2004 Softcover   ISBN :  1550050877

Demco / Sagebrush

2001 Lib. Binding   ISBN :  0028642856

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077373287X
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077376285X
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0439342503
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1550050877

The Magical Worlds of Lord of the Rings :
The Amazing Myths, Legends and Facts

(different, very fun - a Q&A)
 
Berkley Trade, David Colbert

2002 Softcover   ISBN : 0425187713

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Master of the Rings :
Inside the World of J.R.R. Tolkien

(recommended)
 
Wizard Books, Susan Ang

2002 Softcover   ISBN :  1840464232

Totem Books

2003 Softcover   ISBN :  1840464003

I Books

2003 Softcover   ISBN :  0743479882

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Tolkien :   A Beginner's Guide

(brief, recommended)
 
Hodder & Stoughton, Andrew Blake

2002 Softcover   ISBN : 0340857978

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J. R. R. Tolkien : Creator of Languages and Legends

Franklin Watts, Doris Lynch

2003 Hardcover   ISBN :  0531122530

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J.R.R. Tolkien:  Master of Imaginary Worlds

Enslow Publishing,  Edward Willet

2004 Library Bound   ISBN : 0766022463

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J.R.R. Tolkien  (Writers Uncovered)

Heinemann,  Victoria Parker

2006 Library Bound   ISBN : 1403473358
2006 Softcover   ISBN : 1403473382

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1403473358
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1403473382

Understanding The Lord of the Rings (Understanding Great Literature)

Lucent Books,  Donato Giancola

2003 Hardcover   ISBN : 1590182340

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J.R.R. Tolkien (Children's Authors Series)

Checkerboard Books,  Jill C. Wheeler

2008 Lib. Binding   ISBN : 1604530804

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J.R.R. Tolkien (32 p., age 7 and up)

Holiday House,  A. Wallner & J. Wallner

2011 Lib. Binding   ISBN : 0823419517

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Classroom Materials

The Hobbit

S & S Learning Materials

1998 Softcover   ISBN : 1550355724

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The Hobbit : A Teaching Guide (workbook edition)

Garlic Press, Mary Elizabeth

1998 Softcover   ISBN : 0931993903

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The Hobbit Study Guide

Progeny Press, Michael Poteet

2000 Softcover   ISBN : 1586091735

2007 Softcover   ISBN : 1586093665

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The Annotated Hobbit Teacher's Guide

Houghton Mifflin, J.R.R. Tolkien and Douglas A. Anderson

2002 Softcover   ISBN : 0618168168

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The Lord of the Rings

Scholastic Literature Guides

2002 Softcover   ISBN : 0439411297

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The Hobbit Study Guide

Gale Group (Novels for Students Vol. 8 Chapter 6)

2002 PDF   ISBN : N/A

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The Hobbit LitPlan Teacher Pack

Teacher's Pet Publications, Mary B. Collins

2002 CD Rom   ISBN : 1583372849

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Literary Lessons from The Lord of the Rings

Home Scholar Books, Amelia Harper

2004 Spiral Bound   ISBN : 0975493418

2004 Ring Bound   ISBN : 097549340X

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A Guide for Using The Hobbit in the Classroom

Teacher Created Resources, Patty and John Carratello

2004 Softcover   ISBN : 1557344051

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The Hobbit Puzzle Pack

Teacher's Pet Publications, William T. Collins

2005 CD Rom   ISBN : 1583379312

2007 Softcover   ISBN : 1602493383

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The Hobbit Student Pack

Novel Units Inc.

2007 Softcover   ISBN : 1561378283

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Teacher's Discussion Guide to The Hobbit

Johns Hopkins University, Ann Maouyo

2007 Softcover   ISBN : 1602400008

2007 Softcover   ISBN : 1602400016

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The Cheater Guides

The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit

Cliffs Notes

1977 Softcover   ISBN : 0822012863

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The Lord of the Rings, The Hobbit

Cole's Notes

1979 Softcover   ISBN : 0774032979

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J.R.R. Tolkien's The Fellowship of the Ring

Monarch Press, Louise D. Morrison

1996 Softcover   ISBN :

Barnes & Noble

1997 Softcover   ISBN : 0760706433

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The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings

Barron's Book Notes

1986 Hardcover   ISBN : 0812035232

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The Hobbit

Spark Notes

2002 Softcover   ISBN : 1586635883

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The Lord of the Rings

Spark Notes

2002 Softcover   ISBN : 1586637908

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J.R.R. Tolkien (The Library of Great Authors)

Spark Notes

2003 Hardcover   ISBN : 1586638432

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