10 Books That Should Be Taught In Schools

Today my husband begins his tenth year as a high school English teacher. Three years ago I finished twelve years teaching in that same high school. It should come as no surprise then, that many of our conversations center themselves around what's going on in school, what should be going on in school and, after nearly every new read, there is a discussion about books that should be taught in schools. My poor husband has to deal with my pleas to bring new books to his department on a near weekly basis.

I am happy to say that sometimes it works! Many books I have recommended have made their way to the school's summer reading list (meaning I am not the only one recommending them), however, more need to be shared in a classroom. That being said, with the rolling out of the Core Curriculum this year, I fear many of these recommendations will begin to fall on deaf ears as there will be a shift toward more expository text. Even so, I won't give up! Here are my

10 Books That Should Be Taught In Schools

1. Little Brother by Cory Doctorow

I still can't believe I don't own this book for all of the love I have for it. I read this book a couple of years ago and instantly wished I was back in the classroom.  The educational potential of this book is unbounded. As I read I thought of so many ways I could have discussed the book in my Mathematics and Statistics classrooms. I thought of my colleagues that teach History and Political Science. Forget about the Computer classes! This book is built for debates, conversations and question ones beliefs. This book should be read in schools and discussed. Without question it is first on my list.  (my review)

2. Escape from Camp 14 by Blaine Harden

Throughout my entire reading of Escape from Camp 14 I was harassing my husband about its in-class potential. This is one book that it also Common Core friendly, as it retells the tale of a true survivor of the North Korean work camps. Books about the Holocaust and the concentration camps are always very popular in schools - and I am not necessarily suggesting that they are replaced - this book offers a modern-day equivalent of those horrors happening in our world today. Students need to be aware of what is going on in the world today as they begin to think about what kinds of lives they want to leave and what kind of impact they wish to make in our world. (my review)

3. Ready Player One by Ernest Cline

This is a choice that is purely for the fun of it. Teachers are always looking for high-interest readings. I can't think of a book that is more high-interest to the nerd-generation than this one. Of course, I think this might be a pipe-dream, because I don't know if it has broad enough appeal to engage the entire classroom.

4. Little White Duck by Na Liu

This is a graphic novel with some Core Curriculum appeal. It is a memoir of a little girl growing up in China. It is an incredibly quick read and I think it would be a great supplement to any teaaching about China's history, or alongside a novel with ties to Chinese culture.


5. Luz Sees the Light by Claudia Davila

This graphic novel might be more appropriate for middle school than the high school crowd I am typically thinking of, but its message is so important that I think it would serve us all really well if it could find its way into our classrooms. This is a book about a kid learning about the consequences of her purchases and making the shift into activism in a way that is appropriate for a child her age. (my review)


6. Last Survivors Series by Susan Beth Pfeffer

First of all, I discovered that there is now a FOURTH BOOK IN THIS SERIES while at the bookstore this weekend. I am so excited. This series is a fictional series where the moon gets knocked too close to Earth, therefore changing the weather patterns and entire environmental landscape of our planet. Each book is told from a different point of view. Why do I think this book should be taught in schools? Simple: it builds a huge appreciation for all of the conveniences we live with day in and day out. (my post on the first three survival stories)

7. Harry Potter's Bookshelf by John Granger

To be honest, I am not sure if this will have the same in school impact as it would have when I first read it. At that time, nearly every kid in the school building had read Harry Potter multiple times. This book dissects the story and show us, as the subtitle promises "the great books behind the Hogwarts adventures." I think reading this book could entice students who were major Potterheads to start to explore the classics that inspired it.

8. The Four Agreements by Miguel Ruiz

It is four simple rules for peaceful living. It's a quick read. Everyone should read it, so why not just read it in school.

9. Animals Make Us Human by Temple Grandin

I love animals. They deserve our respect and our protection when necessary. In Temple Grandin's book we are shown how to read animal emotions to ensure that we provide them with the safe and engaging life. Pair that with the fact that Temple Grandin is one of the most fascinating people on the planet and I say that there is just so much to learn from this book!

10. Skinny by Donna Cooper

Body image is such an issue for teens. This book deals with it head on as our protagonist battles with her own internal voice that tears her to pieces on a daily basis. I think this book can be a very important one for many students. (my review)

This post is in response to this week's Top Ten Tuesday hosted by The Broke and The Bookish. If you want to participate, write your post on the 10 books you think should be taught in school and add the link to the list!

In the meantime, what do you think about my list? Should any of these books be kicked off my list? Is there a book you have seen me write about that you can't believe is not here (I forgot a bunch, I think)? Finally, what was your favorite book that you read in school?

Top 10 Secondary Book Characters

I love this week's topic from The Broke and the Bookish! This week we are talking about our favorite secondary book characters. There are so many times in reading where it is these characters that drive me to turn page after page, that light me up after some painful conflict and give me the literary hug that I need. I love secondary characters. I will tell you now, I am going to forget some super important ones in my reading history. I am well aware of this fact because I am writing this list from the top of my head and I am not looking back! So, for right now, here are my

Top 10 Secondary Book Characters

1. Ron, Hermione & so much of the Harry Potter supporting cast

Where would JK Rowling's universe be if it weren't for all of the characters surrounding Harry in his journeys. At first, I was only going to list Ron and Hermione, then I thought of Hagrid, the Weasley family, DOBBY!, Professor McGonagall, Dumbledore... the list goes on. I am sure as I explore the lists created by fellow bloggers this week, I will find tons of Potter love.

Movie version: 

2. Robin from The Cuckoo's Calling

While I am on the topic of JKR, why not stay there for a bit. I loved Robin, Cormoran Strike's assistant in The Cuckoo's Calling. She had her own rich story and a reason to be invested in Strike's investigations. I loved how she resisted finding new jobs that would even pay more money because she was so intrigued by the manner of Strike's work. That's a girl by my own heart.


3. Hassan from An Abundance of Katherines

John Green is another author who is quite good at building supporting casts, but if I had to pick one secondary character that I loved above the rest it would be Colin's best friend, Hassan. Hassan was a funny "regular guy" that I just loved to read. He was definitely one of those characters that lit up their scenes.


4. Simon from City of Bones

I have not yet finished reading this book, but from the moment Simon stepped onto the page before me, I knew he was going to be my favorite character in the book. When it looked like he was going to be left behind in th mundane world never to be heard from again, I nearly wanted to put the book down. However, now that he is intermingling with the story's ongoing drama, I can't wait to see how his story develops!

Movie version:

 

5. Ali from If You Could Be Mine
Sarah's cousin, Ali, and his flamboyance was a welcomed change in the strict, conservative Iran Sarah was trapped in. I loved the world that he showed Sarah (and us) just when it felt like she was all alone. He confidence in who he was and the life he (and Sarah) deserved to live helped to bring hope to this story and the reality of life in Iran for the LGBT community.



6. Hobbes from Calvin and Hobbes
I am not sure if this one qualifies. One may argue that Hobbes is not secondary at all, but, in my eyes, he's one of the greatest sidekicks ever to be written.

Comic book version:

 

7. Ted and Bartleby from Bone

Jeff Smith's Bone comic is one of the first that I collected issue by issue. It is now available in graphic novel form and is an excellent fantasy adventure story. This book sort of falls under that "Harry Potter" category of having an amazing supporting cast of characters that I could easily make a top 10 of all on its own, but two characters that I was always happy to see in an issue I picked up were Ted the bug and Bartleby the baby rat-creature.

Comic book versions of Bartleby (left) and Ted (right): 

8. Annabeth from the Percy Jackson series

Percy's love interest/best friend, Annabeth, is one cool character. She's super smart, athletic and has a Yankee's cap that makes her invisible. I love how she takes charge and is a strong female character in a series of books that can easily be appreciated by the boys that read it.

The strangely not-blonde Movie Version of Annabeth: 

9. Al from The Full Metal Alchemist
Edward's story would fall flat on its face without his little brother transformed into a a giant metal suit. His quest to protect his brother and change him back to the little boy he was presented the single shred of maturity Ed could muster. Throughout the rest of the story Al proved to be the calming force and the overpowering image (with a little boy's voice) that intimidated all those they came in contact with.

TV Show Version:

10. Boo Radley from To Kill A Mockingbird

Forget about top secondary characters, Boo Radley may be my favorite literary character of all time. Misunderstood with a pure heart, his quiet presence of strength within a weak frame is something that brings tears to my eyes every time I I come into contact with this character.

 Movie Version:

What are your favorite secondary book characters?

If you can't think of book characters, what are favorite secondary TV and movie characters? 

LAST MINUTE ADDITIONS BEFORE PRESSING "PUBLISH":

11. Merry and Pippin from The Lord of the Rings

Did I really almost forget these guys?? Although this is another book overflowing with incredible secondary characters!!

10 Books I Wish Had Sequels

This week's topic for Top Ten Tuesday from The Broke and the Bookish blog is

10 Books I Wish Had Sequels
 
More specifically, they called it, "Top Ten Books I Wish Could Have Had Sequels (they were complete stories but you just could have read more and more about these characters or set in that world)." With nearly every single on of my selections, I was happy with the ending, I merely wish there was some way I could venture back into their worlds for a new story. Here they are:

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1. Ready Player One by Ernest Cline

I just finished this audiobook (read by Wil Wheaton) on Sunday night, and I am heart-broken that I have no more adventures in the future or in the OASIS. This book was so much fun with its futuristic nostalgia about the decade I grew up in!

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2. The Ocean at the End of the Lane by Neil Gaiman

This is another read from this summer. It is also another steeped in nostalgia (just not my own). However, it is my curiosity about the Hemlocks and the world they live in that leaves me wanting for more. I love the mystery that surrounds so much of this story, it keeps me dreaming, but those dreams would love Mr. Gaiman to paint another picture.

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3. The Help by Kathryn Stockett 

I don't know what it was about this book. Of course, I have no desire to live in such a time that this book took place in, but when I finished the book I was physically unable to start another fiction book. I was wrapped up in the reality of that world. The only way I could shake free of it was to read a couple of nonfiction books before heading into something new. With a reaction like that, I feel like I would enjoy a second story to keep the world and those characters alive.

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4. A Wrinkle In Time by Madeline L'Engle 

I didn't read this book until I was in college (maybe even later, now that I think of it...). I loved it. Not only do I wish I read it sooner, I wish there was more of it. In fact, thinking about this right now is making me want to re-read it!

****WISH GRANTED!!!****

My blog readers have informed me that I have been living in the dark:  There ARE sequels to A Wrinkle in Time! How happy am I???
Due to this fact, I need a replacement wish and, after reading the responses of other book bloggers this week, I quickly came to realize that I left out another one of my high school favorites. So, without further adieu, I give you:

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4. Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte

For a long time this book has been on my re-read list. It is my best friend's all time favorite book. Back in high school I remember being shocked that I was so enamored with this classic. When we started the book, I was so sure it was going to be torture! By the second assigned reading, I was flying past the class and gobbling it up. That was over twenty years ago and I'm still wanting to step back into that universe!

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5.  The Number Devil by Hans Magnus Enzensberger

Not enough people know about this book. As a math teacher who loved reading, I was always looking for a book like this to share with my students. When I found it, I couldn't believe it. When I finished it, I wished it would just go on and on forever. It is not easy to weave math into a story in a way that could be perceived as fun as well as entertaining. In fact, if you know of any other math stories, please let me know!

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6. Slaughterhouse Five by Kurt Vonnegut

This definitely is on my list of must re-reads. When I read this book in high school I was excited that we were reading such a cool book. It was so much weirder than anything else we had done and I was enthralled by it. I think I could have stayed in that world, just to learn more about it.


Shop Indie Bookstores 7. The Lord of the Flies by William Golding

This is another dangerous and intriguing world introduced to me in my high school English class that I would have enjoyed hanging with for more than one book. I have always had a fascination with survivor stories, so when I put this book here, it also stands for others like Robinson Crusoe and Island of the Blue Dolphins.

8. After the Bomb by Gloria D. Milkowitz

Speaking of survival stories, I might as well give a nod to the one that started it all for me: After the Bomb. I read this book when I was very young. My cousin and I were pen pals and she mailed me this book. I loved it. I still think about it until this day. It was a cold war book, for sure, but I often wonder "what happened next?" A more recent book that did have a sequel that gave me the sense that I did get to extend the life of my childhood favorite was Life As We Knew It.

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9. To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee

Who couldn't use some more of Scout, Atticus and (my favorite) Boo Radley????

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10. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows by JK Rowling

No. Seven books were not enough. Sorry Ms. Rowling, I know you are probably done with this world, but I'm not sure we will ever be!


I honestly can not believe how difficult this week's list was for me. It seems I have a tendency to read books that are a part of a series. This is not a lifelong habit, just one I have picked up in th last decade or so. I'd like to thank The Broke and the Bookish for bringing this to my attention. Sometimes I miss the solidity of a singular novel. I suppose (as is evidenced by my recent reading of Ready Player One and The Ocean at the End of the Lane) I have started to realize this on some level!

Which books have pulled you in so deeply in one book that you have just wished there was some way you could crawl back into its world even though your story was complete?

Top 10 Best Book Beginnings and Endings

This week's topic from The Broke and The Bookish's Top Ten Tuesday is:

Top 10 Best Book Beginnings and Endings

 I decided to go with both. I have five top beginnings and five top endings. I hope you like them!

MY TOP FIVE BOOK BEGINNINGS


Shop Indie Bookstores1. The Monster At The End Of This Book by Jon Stone
This book begins on the cover. By page one Grover is already freaking out and begging you not to keep turning pages. But, really, what's funnier than an overly dramatic Grover? This continues to be one of my favorite books of all time and it is all about how fantastically it hooks you. (This was a very close contender for Best ending as well - this book just rocks!).


Shop Indie Bookstores2. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone by JK Rowling
A series so fantastic begins on Privet Drive. It's so boring, so mundane, so bland! I love the juxtaposition of Harry's life with his family compared to that which is his destiny is nothing less than brilliant. It makes the ride even more magical when you know where Harry came from.


Shop Indie Bookstores3. Macbeth by William Shakespeare
This is my favorite Shakespeare work, so whenever I hear or read the opening words, it gives me chills. Witches brewing up some evil magics let the reader (or the audience, in the case of the play) know exactly the type of trouble in store. Who doesn't get excited about what's coming next with an intro like that?


Shop Indie Bookstores4. The Hobbit by JRR Tolkien
Tolkien introduces my dream life - hobbit living - in the first pages of his wonderful novel. I knew nothing about it before I read those pages, but immediately Middle Earth, the Shire and hobbut holes all came to life in my imagination never to be erased again.


Shop Indie Bookstores5. Ocean At The End Of The Lane by Neil Gaiman
I don't know how Gaiman does it, but in his latest novel he simultaneously captures childhood, magic and nostalgia all at once. However, what is even more unbelievable is that he manages to capture and deliver that on the book's first page. He is a master storyteller - when I started that book I just wanted to grab a cup of tea, curl up in a big comfy chair and be swept away.



MY TOP FIVE BOOK ENDINGS (beware of possibly spoiler-y discussion)


Shop Indie Bookstores1. Life of Pi by Yann Martel
I loved the adventure in every page of this book. However, when I reached the end of the book I was struck dumb with the depth of every page that I had just experienced. I went out of my mind trying to find anyone who had read the book just so I could talk to them about it!


Shop Indie Bookstores2. The Fault In Our Stars by John Green
Tears. Beautiful. Perfect ending to this wonderful book about how we live, how we love and how we hurt. I sobbed.


Shop Indie Bookstores3. Tale of Sand by Jim Henson, Jerry Juhl and Ramon Perez
This is a graphic novel based on a screenplay written by Jim Henson and his long time writing partner Jerry Juhl. It's an incredibly quick read and when you reach the final page, it'll knock you out!


Shop Indie Bookstores4. Asterios Polyp by David Mazzuchelli
Another graphic novel. Mazzuchelli masterfully brings every aspect of the medium to its fullest purpose when he brings together another otherwise ordinary story of a man. The ending of the book reminds us why it is often the ordinary lives which teach us such extraordinary life lessons.

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5. To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee
On the last page, you will find the following:

"...Atticus, he was real nice..."
His hands were under my chin, pulling up the cover, tucking it around me.
"Most people are, Scout, when you finally see them."

There is nothing I believe more deeply in my soul than these words. Thank you, Harper Lee, for it all.

Which book beginnings and endings have stuck with you the longest?

Don't forget, when you are done here, head over to storydam.com to get ready for this week's Open House Extravaganza!