TGIF at GReads is a feature by the fabulous Ginger, who asks us a fun question to answer every week. It's always a joy to be a part of this, and I think everyone certainly should try it out!
Which books would you like to see in today's high school Literature classroom?
This week's question is interesting to me, as I didn't attend high school in the good ol' US of A. I actually went to a Catholic all girls school in the Philippines, where Literature/English classes are treated very differently. The focus was on grammar, spelling and classic literature; the exposure to more recent titles and titles that treated difficult subject matter was definitely nearly non-existent. If I could change all that, and really have classes that focus on literature and what we can learn from it, here are the titles I'd have in my classroom:
It's Kind of a Funny Story by Ned Vizzini (Goodreads || My review)
Dreamland by Sarah Dessen (Goodreads || My review)
Wintergirls by Laurie Halse Anderson (Goodreads)
Divergent by Veronica Roth (Goodreads || My review)
The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins (Goodreads || My review)
Between You & Me by Marisa Calin (Goodreads || My review)
The Scorpio Races by Maggie Stiefvater (Goodreads || My review)
The Lonely Hearts Club by Elizabeth Eulberg (Goodreads)
Lola & the Boy Next Door by Stephanie Perkins (Goodreads || My review)
Amy & Roger's Epic Detour by Morgan Matson (Goodreads || My review)
Eon & Eona by Alison Goodman (Goodreads || Goodreads || Macky & I discuss this book)
I did attend high school in Austria and contemporary English Literature clearly wasn't part of the curriculum. I have chosen a similar approach to my tgif post.
ReplyDeleteLove your choices. Need to read some of them.
Great picks! Particularly Dreamland (although it is a very sad book) because it touches on a difficult issues, and The Lonely Hearts Club because it shows that girls can stick together and help each other out.
ReplyDeleteI've not read any of the other books on your list, but I need to!
In my country, Trinidad, Literature was all about the classics and grammar as well, I love reading books but I remember not liking my Literature class at all. We also studied local literature which was more interesting. Great list, I've got a lot of these on my TBR. I would probably choose John Green books if I was running a Literature class. :)
ReplyDeleteThe Hunger Games is the first book I would pick. I can't see that being left out. Divergent is a good choice too! I haven't read a few of the others, including The Scorpio Races, but I've heard endless good things about that book.
ReplyDeleteAlso, I see you're currently reading The Raven Boys. I really loved that book and can't wait to read your thoughts. :)
I always thought that the YA books that are available now seem awfully heavy for young readers ... though, I remember reading The Grapes of Wrath in high school and it was so boring. I really wish the school system would spice up the curriculum!
ReplyDeleteActually, I don't even recall doing a lot of reading in high school ... I wish there was more focus on reading lots of books. Maybe then I would've been more of a reader during that period of my life.
Wintergirls is a great pick, as is Divergent!
I like your list. Hunger Games, hmmmm, not sure about kids hurting other kids though. I'm checking out Wintergirls!!!
ReplyDeleteHere's mine: http://fiktishuhs.blogspot.com/2012/08/tgif_24.html
Great list! My USA schooling experience sounds a lot like yours. We never read any contemporary literature, mostly classics and award winners from long ago. That's actually the reason I began to hate reading as a teen. I could never relate to anything, and some of the books were very upsetting to me. I think I would have enjoyed reading more if I could have read the books you mentioned!
ReplyDeleteWintergirls for sure. LHA does such a good job taking an issue book and making it sincere and relatable and totally unputdownable.
ReplyDeleteI have Eon just sitting on my shelf, waiting for me. One day!
It is sad to me that I have only read two of these books. I love that they are important enough for you to include them on your list, and I need to pick up my reading pace! (I actually think most of them are on my to-read list.)
ReplyDeleteGreat picks! High school's should definitely introduce these titles to students.
ReplyDeleteSO MANY BOOKS! Of the ones that I have read: I couldn't agree more! It's Kind Of A Funny Story, Dreamland, Divergent, The Hunger Games, The Lonely Hears Club, Lola and The Boy Next Door, and Amy & Roger's Epic Detour; all of these titles are so great for so many different reasons and I can't help but agree that teens of many varying backgrounds and lifestyles can learn a lot from each one.
ReplyDelete