This study aimed to examine the effectiveness of teaching literary texts using Thinking Maps Strategy in developing critical thinking skills for female students of eight grade of basic education. To achieve this aim, the researcher designed a guideline for teaching literary texts using Thinking Maps Strategy and a test for critical thinking skills. To establish the validity of these instruments, a group of Judges has validated it. The reliability of the test was found to be (0.71) using Cronbach' Alpha. The sample of the study was divided in two groups: The experimental group consisted 30 students that have been taught in Literary Texts Using Thinking Maps Strategy and control group consisted 30 students that taught using traditional method. A post-test was administered to both groups after the experiment to assess students' critical thinking. The main results revealed a statistical significant difference (at as 0.05) between the mean scores of the experimental group and control group in the critical thinking skills test. The difference was in favour of the experimental group, which could be attributed by the teaching method. Accordingly, the study recommended training teachers to use such strategies and enhancing students' critical thinking skills development. It also suggested using Thinking Maps Strategy in other fields of teaching Arabic language with other variables.