Every school system and teacher has a different method
for choosing the novels that students read each year of
high school. Following is a list of some of the top
American Lit novels taught in schools across the nation.
1) The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn
Mark Twain's (Samuel Clemen's) classic novel is a must
for all students studying American humor and satire.
While banned in some school districts, it is a widely
read and appreciated novel.
2) The Scarlet Letter
Hester Prynne was marked in scarlet for her
indiscretions. Students connect with this classic novel
by Nathaniel Hawthorne.
3) To Kill a Mockingbird
Harper Lee's awesome novel of the deep south in the
midst of the Depression is always an excellent choice
for high school students.
4) The Red Badge of Courage
Henry Fleming struggles with bravery and courage during
the Civil War in this excellent book by Stephen Crane.
Great for integrating history and literature.
5) The Great Gatsby
Can anyone think of the 'flapper' era of the 1920s
without thinking of F. Scott Fitzgerald's "The Great
Gatsby?" Students and teachers alike find this era in
history fascinating.
6) The Grapes of Wrath
John Steinbeck's tale of Dust Bowl victims travelling
west for a better life is a classic look at life during
the Great Depression.
7) Call of the Wild
Told from Buck the dog's point of view, "Call of the
Wild" is Jack London's masterpiece of self reflection
and identity.
8) Invisible Man: A Novel
Ralph Ellison's classic novel about racial prejudice
should not be missed. Many of the problems that his
narrator faces throughout the novel sadly are still
present in America today.
9) A Farewell to Arms
One of the best novels of World War I, Ernest Hemingway
tells of the war as a backdrop to a love story between
an American ambulance driver and an English nurse.
10) Fahrenheit 451
Ray Bradbury's classic 'novelette' portrays a futuristic
world where firemen start fires instead of putting them
out. They burn books. Students enjoy this quick read
that packs a huge psychological punch.
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