The Companion Guide provides the teacher with a practical approach for understanding and utilizing The River Quintet series in grades 7 through 12.

It starts with a focus on the value and suitability of the five historical novels for middle and high school readers. It points out the correlation of the geographical and cultural settings (northeastern woodlands, New Netherland, early Hartford, CT, and England) to a Social Studies curriculum, and shows how its literary aspects can complement an English Language Arts curriculum. Assessment questions cover both plot content and areas of critical thinking. The Guide also suggests classroom activities for students of all abilities and concludes with an extensive reference section that contains websites of some of the Iroquois and Algonquin nations featured in the series.