1. The Outsiders The Outsiders for me was one of the first novels I remember reading and thinking that the characters actually relate to me. The idea of a normal family is explored through Pony Boys abnormal family. Another important issue is the ideas of Socio-Economic-Status. The relationship between the Socs and the Greasers can be humbling and comforting to students.
2. The Perks of Being a Wall Flower This novel touches on almost every issue a teen will have to face. Everything from sex, social status in school and family problems just to name a few. The main character deals with problems that are also very adult in nature. Like his friends suicide, molestation and drugs and alcohol. The issues are looked at as seriously and truthfully as any teen would and that is why TPOFBAW is a great addition to any class room read.
3. The Giver This novel about a dystopian future deals with many young adult themes. For one the theme of responsibility is explored extensively. The main character is given the power to know everything that is hidden from everyone in their world. He is then forced to either stay with the norm or go against the grain and disrupt the so called utopia. This novel was so powerful to me as a young adult because it taught me that there are consequences to going with the crowed and that the right choices are never the easiest. I will most definitely teach this in any middle school level or freshmen class.
4. The Bell Jar The Bell Jar is a novel by Sylvia Plath. A young girl is awarded a scholarship for writing and then experiences major depression. Esther attempts suicide multiple times and survives. This novel helps reach the females in the class by having a female character. It also reaches many other students deal with depression and stress. The book can almost make the reader depressed but it leaves you with many important lessons.
5. A Thousand Splendid Suns ATSS is extremely important to be teaching in today's classroom because of the recent exposure to the middle east. Also it looks at the world of a girl who has grown up in a world far different then what many young teenage girl in America deals with. This novel helped me understand that just because people are different then me that they don't experience similar struggles and have similar pains and strife. I feel that this novel can be an eye opener to students who may be brought up in a rural area.
6. To Kill a Mocking Bird This novel is one of the largest read books around. The character is also a female who deals with racial discrimination and disability discrimination. Which she is neither of. She tries to understand the world she is growing up in and relies greatly on her father who helps her see the bad and good in everyone. I loved this book in 7th grade and thought it was extremely powerful and came to understand why those powerful themes touched so many people. Although this novel is old it still resonates with the youth that read it.
7. Harry Potter series I think the Harry Potter series could be taught school wide from 5th grade to senior year. The novels deal with almost every young adult hardship and has lessons from every aspect of life for young people. The novels at first drew me in because the magical aspects. Every student wants to escape from reality to get away from their problems what they may not realize is that when they read they are dealing with those problems with Harry and the gang. This gives the student the chance to face them in fantasy and reality.
8. Slaughterhouse Five This novel I would use in more of a advanced 11th or 12th grade class. It helps the students understand certain ideas about time and sci-fi. It also is a good introduction to satirical writing. Kurt Vonnegut was one of the first authors I read that opened my eyes to power of literature and I think any student who reads him is left with powerful emotions and ideas. This book can help students with alienation and absurdity of life.
9. The Secret Life of Bees The Billdungsroman for the female adolescent. Sue Monk Kidd tells the story of Lilly Owens a little girl who has an abusive father and seeks mothering from many female characters. The novel deals with racism, sex, maturity, religion and the abnormal family. Students will learn about the young love, the struggles of maturity and similarities of people who at first may seem completely different.
10. The Catcher and the Rye Considered one of the most influential novels of the time. J.D Salingers The Catcher and the Rye explores the life of a young man who is dealing with the destruction of his family. Born to an affluent family Holden Caulfield the main character takes the reader through his life at private school and his adventures in New York. This novel helps students deal with the transformation into adulthood and the consequences of actions. This Billdungsroman is a great addition for any classroom.
My Book Case
1. The Outsiders
The Outsiders for me was one of the first novels I remember reading and thinking that the characters actually relate to me. The idea of a normal family is explored through Pony Boys abnormal family. Another important issue is the ideas of Socio-Economic-Status. The relationship between the Socs and the Greasers can be humbling and comforting to students.
2. The Perks of Being a Wall Flower
This novel touches on almost every issue a teen will have to face. Everything from sex, social status in school and family problems just to name a few. The main character deals with problems that are also very adult in nature. Like his friends suicide, molestation and drugs and alcohol. The issues are looked at as seriously and truthfully as any teen would and that is why TPOFBAW is a great addition to any class room read.
3. The Giver
This novel about a dystopian future deals with many young adult themes. For one the theme of responsibility is explored extensively. The main character is given the power to know everything that is hidden from everyone in their world. He is then forced to either stay with the norm or go against the grain and disrupt the so called utopia. This novel was so powerful to me as a young adult because it taught me that there are consequences to going with the crowed and that the right choices are never the easiest. I will most definitely teach this in any middle school level or freshmen class.
4. The Bell Jar
The Bell Jar is a novel by Sylvia Plath. A young girl is awarded a scholarship for writing and then experiences major depression. Esther attempts suicide multiple times and survives. This novel helps reach the females in the class by having a female character. It also reaches many other students deal with depression and stress. The book can almost make the reader depressed but it leaves you with many important lessons.
5. A Thousand Splendid Suns
ATSS is extremely important to be teaching in today's classroom because of the recent exposure to the middle east. Also it looks at the world of a girl who has grown up in a world far different then what many young teenage girl in America deals with. This novel helped me understand that just because people are different then me that they don't experience similar struggles and have similar pains and strife. I feel that this novel can be an eye opener to students who may be brought up in a rural area.
6. To Kill a Mocking Bird
This novel is one of the largest read books around. The character is also a female who deals with racial discrimination and disability discrimination. Which she is neither of. She tries to understand the world she is growing up in and relies greatly on her father who helps her see the bad and good in everyone. I loved this book in 7th grade and thought it was extremely powerful and came to understand why those powerful themes touched so many people. Although this novel is old it still resonates with the youth that read it.
7. Harry Potter series
I think the Harry Potter series could be taught school wide from 5th grade to senior year. The novels deal with almost every young adult hardship and has lessons from every aspect of life for young people. The novels at first drew me in because the magical aspects. Every student wants to escape from reality to get away from their problems what they may not realize is that when they read they are dealing with those problems with Harry and the gang. This gives the student the chance to face them in fantasy and reality.
8. Slaughterhouse Five
This novel I would use in more of a advanced 11th or 12th grade class. It helps the students understand certain ideas about time and sci-fi. It also is a good introduction to satirical writing. Kurt Vonnegut was one of the first authors I read that opened my eyes to power of literature and I think any student who reads him is left with powerful emotions and ideas. This book can help students with alienation and absurdity of life.
9. The Secret Life of Bees
The Billdungsroman for the female adolescent. Sue Monk Kidd tells the story of Lilly Owens a little girl who has an abusive father and seeks mothering from many female characters. The novel deals with racism, sex, maturity, religion and the abnormal family. Students will learn about the young love, the struggles of maturity and similarities of people who at first may seem completely different.
10. The Catcher and the Rye
Considered one of the most influential novels of the time. J.D Salingers The Catcher and the Rye explores the life of a young man who is dealing with the destruction of his family. Born to an affluent family Holden Caulfield the main character takes the reader through his life at private school and his adventures in New York. This novel helps students deal with the transformation into adulthood and the consequences of actions. This Billdungsroman is a great addition for any classroom.
Back