How I Would Fix High School Reading Lists: Part 2

During school I found the books read in English infuriatingly dry and depressing. I’m OK reading sad literature every once in a while, but reading is supposed to be educational and fun! I think students learn more by reading things they enjoy, which is why last week I started a discussion on how I would fix high school reading lists in three steps. This week I have 8 books that I think would be great additions to high school curriculums. 

1. The Book Thief by Marcus Zusak

Let’s start this list off with one of my favorites. The Book Thief is a historical fiction novel that follows a young girl’s life in Nazi Germany during World War II. Oh, and it’s narrated by Death. Right from the start English teachers can give a nice lesson on foreshadowing, and talk about the importance of choosing a narrator and point of view. The Book Thief also explores important themes such as the human potential for kindness and cruelty, the importance of words, and the responsibility of the living to the dead. Honestly, I think everyone who’s read this book can at least agree that it uses plenty of literary devices that can be discussed in class. Plus, it’s written in modern language that’s easy to follow and interesting for high school readers.

What really really made me love this book is how it portrays people finding joy despite everything happening around them. I loved that The Book Thief helped me understand the lives and struggles of people living within Nazi germany, and opened my eyes to issues I had never considered or didn’t fully understand such as poverty, propaganda and loyalty. I was lucky enough to have this book recommended to me so I could read it on my own, and I think it would be a great addition to high school curriculums. 

2. The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie

I mentioned this book in my last discussion post but wanted to provide further details on why I think this would be a great book for every high schooler to read.

The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian (let’s call it ATDPI) is a humorous story about Junior, a budding cartoonist growing up on the Spokane Indian Reservation. Junior has been the target of bullying on the reservation his entire life due to physical challenges and a speech impediment. His intelligence, however, is beyond most others, and he is given the opportunity to leave his poorly funded school and attend a high school off the reservation. 

ATDPI explores themes of racism, perception, belonging and disparities between life on and off reservations. Sherman Alexie wrote this book based on his own experiences, and, if you’re like me, this would be your first introduction to what life on Indian reservations is actually like. I loved how this book portrayed the many aspects of racism, from outright to systematic. ATDPI is written very casually, as if a young student were actually writing the book, so it doesn’t fit the traditional bill for “literary merit”. However, I don’t think books have to use long sentences and pretentious words to be worth reading in class.

3. Monster by Walter Dean Meyers

I think some schools do read this book, but not all do when most, if not all, should. Monster is a YA literature novel that follows Steve, a 16-year old boy who is put on trial for his part in a robbery in which the store owner was killed. The book is written as if Steve is recording the events as they happen, so there is an emphasis on the psychological impact of going on trial and of being seen as a “monster”. Steve writes in two writing formats that are used to convey his thoughts and feelings: a journal and a screenplay. I think it would be extremely interesting to discuss how each of the writing formats are used to tell the story and relay the thoughts and feelings of the narrator. 

Monster addresses topics of deceit, loneliness, fear, the effects of family, American idealism and hypocrisy, and fear. It is a great analysis of human nature and the American court system that is extremely relevant in today’s world, and would be a great book to read during high school. 

4. The Giver by Lois Lowry

I think this book is one of the best dystopian novels there is because no one is really being oppressed. Who wouldn’t want a world without pain?

The Giver is a young adult fiction novel set in a perfect world, without war, without betrayal, without choice. Jonas is comfortable in his perfect world, but he has yet to learn that life could be more. Through Jonas’s journey, Lowry incites questions about the value of pain, differences, memory and freedom of choice. This book is especially valuable because it emphasizes that things like love and hate, pain and pleasure are connected. You can’t have one without the other. 

I think it would be extremely valuable to discuss the overall message of The Giver and how the author wrote that message into her story.

5. Girl in Translation by Jean Kwok

Girl in Translation is a historical fiction novel that follows a young girl who immigrated from Hong Kong to Brooklyn. This book has an honest portrayal of what life in America is like for immigrants with regards to living conditions, the difficulty of adapting to a new culture, factory exploitation, and struggling with the contrast between at home life and school life. The protagonist, Kimberly Chang, struggles with her own desires and her duty to her family. Girl in Translation is a great book to begin a discussion of the reality of the American Dream and for any students who feel as if they live double lives.

6. The Misadventures of an Awkward Black Girl by Issa Rae

Issa Rae is an actress, producer, and writer, who writes about her life experiences in this unique autobiography. The book is written as a collection of essays and focuses on her struggles as an introvert when the world expects and glorifies “cool”, especially for Black people. Race is a major topic in the book; but Rae also discusses universally relatable struggles like sex in the internet, the risk of eating alone in public, and how to handle unwanted comments about appearance. 

As a very awkward introvert, I wish I had this book in high school. I think it would be a great way to start discussions on stereotypes, common struggles of young adults, and the glorification of certain personality traits. 

7. The Wee Free Men by Terry Pratchett

I don’t think enough people appreciate the amount of political and social commentary that can be found in fantasy. Although The Wee Free Men is set in a fantasy world with loads of comedy, I think it would be a great novel to discuss in class. 

The Wee Free Men follows Tiffany Aching, a no-nonsense witch-to-be who sets out on a quest to save her brother from the Queen of the Fairies. Although at first glance this book appears to be a simple, goofy fairytale about a young girl, there’s actually much more to be found between it’s pages–it’s written by one of the best authors ever, after all. The Wee Free Men is a great book for showing young women and men how to be unapologetically themself. This book brings up questions about whether pride and selfishness are truly wrong, or if they help us succeed.

8. The Goblin Emperor by Katherine Addison

So, I just read this book this year, and yes, it is going on my list. The Goblin Emperor is about a young hobgoblin, who is forced to become the next Emperor after his estranged father and his sons die. Maia is unschooled in court etiquette and lost in all the politics, but maintaining his seat as emperor is a matter of life and death.

Instead of exploring human nature through pain and suffering, The Goblin Emperor uses a thoughtful protagonist to show the value of kindness and empathy, and the necessity of standing up for yourself. This book would be a great way to start a discussion on human tendencies, without being depressing and negative.

Wrap up

I’ll end my discussion of high school reading lists here, but there are many other books that would be great to read in high school. I hope students will be able to read more interesting and relevant books in the future. If you have anything to add don’t forget to comment below!

May your days be full of magic and dragons,

Peyton

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