Classic Literature for MCMS – AR
“Classic” Literature is defined as novels that have stood the test of time and literary criticism. They have
proven to be entertaining, interesting, and a part of our broader culture.
**Make sure you are choosing the original version of the books. Not an “adaptation” or “abridged”
version.** Also, remember that by signing the AR form, your parents are confirming that you have not
read the book before this quarter.
IF you earn 80% or above on your AR quiz, you receive the 30 points + 5 Bonus Points. If you score 70%,
you receive 30 points. If you score below 70%, you receive the corresponding percentage points (ex:
50% on the AR quiz = 15 “Q” points).
Gateway Classics
Cheaper by the Dozen by Frank B. Gilbreth and Ernestine Gilbreth Carey A father who is a famous
efficiency expert, a loving mother and 12 kids. “…A hilarious tale of growing up that has made
generations of kids and adults alike laugh along with the Gilbreths in Cheaper by the Dozen”
(Amazon.com). P.S. Nothing like the Steve Martin movie! (10 AR points)
Little Town on the Prairie by Laura Ingalls Wilder. In the seventh book in the “Little House” series, Laura
is a young teen. She and her family are living in the town of De Smet, SD. Laura deals with teenage
bullying and having a young man interested in “calling on her.” The family is also struggling with
her sister Mary’s blindness. Can they all work together to get enough money to send Mary to
school? (9 AR)
The Little Princess by Frances Hodgson Burnett Sara Crewe was the “princess” of her boarding school:
rich, popular, pretty, clever and loved. But what happens when she loses her father and her
money? With no where else to go, Sara continues to live at the school, but as a maid. Now the
term “little princess” become a taunt by bullies. How will Sara cope? (11 AR)
The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett “Mary, Mary, quite contrary. How does your garden
grow?” Little Mary Lennox is born in India to wealthy, selfish parents. When she is orphaned, she
moves back to England. Displeased and unhappy with everything in her life, one day she discovers
a secret gate in a hidden wall. What happens when she opens it? (13 AR)
The Westing Game by Ellen Raskin. Sam Westing was murdered by one of his nieces or nephews. In his
will, he gives clues. The heirs who find the murderer will inherit his millions of dollars! (8 AR)
The Wonderful Wizard of Oz Read the original and see the changes made in the movie. Did you know that
Dorothy is actually a little girl, maybe 8 or 9? And the “ruby slippers” are actually silver? And the
Wicked Witch is only about 2 chapters? That’s right. You’ve been lied to all these years... (7 AR)
Mid Level Classics
Adventures of Sherlock Holmes Sir Arthur Conan Doyle (Claremont edition) Read some of the original
Sherlock Holmes and Watson! 12 short stories. There are many, many different versions of Sherlock
story collections, so make sure you have the correct edition! (17 AR)
KD 2014
Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery. Anne is an orphan growing up in the early 1900’s in Canada.
Bullied and ignored as a youngster, Anne is now moving to the farm of Green Gables. The owners,
Marilla and Matthew, are getting older and were hoping to adopt a boy to help with chores. How
will they react to this skinny, freckled girl who seems to be constantly getting herself into messes?
Has Anne found her “kindred spirits” or will she have to move on again? (17 AR)
Call of the Wild by John London. In 1903, Buck is the family dog on a CA ranch. One day he is kidnapped
and delivered to the Yukon territory in Alaska. How will Buck survive out in the wilderness? (7
AR)
The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien. Bilbo Baggins goes on a journey to win a share of the treasure guarded by
the dragon, Smaug. (16 AR)
Phantom of the Opera by Gaston Leroux. Christine Daae is a young singer in the Paris Opera chorus. She
begins to hear a mysterious voice through the walls of the opera house. The voice offers to help
her become a better singer so she can become a star. But is the offer as good as it seems? (12 AR)
Prince and the Pauper by Mark Twain. One boy is a prince. One boy is a poor orphan. They meet and
discover they are identical. What if they switched places? (12 AR)
A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L’Engle. (7 AR) A sci fi classic. 13 year old Meg, her young brother, and
schoolmate Calvin have a mysterious adventure through time and space.
Challenge Classics
20,000 Leagues Under the Sea While searching for a mysterious sea creature that has been destroying
ships, American sailors swallowed whole. Or are they? Maybe the sea creature is the the
mysterious ship Nautilus, led by Captain Nemo. If it is a ship, why are they attacking? (20 AR)
Treasure Island by Robert Louis Stevenson. Young Jim Hawkins finds a treasure map, joins a crew of
pirates led by Long John Silver, the one-legged pirate. Will Jim survive? Find the treasure? Sea
battles and treachery lay in store. (12 AR)
Dracula by Bram Stoker. Vampires. Garlic. Blood. Wooden stakes. Beheadings. (25 AR)
Little Women by Louisa May Alcott Read what many argue is the first YA novel. Four teenage sisters
living with their mother in Boston, waiting for their father to return from the Civil War. Love, loss,
and lots of sisterly bickering. (33 AR)
Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen “It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in
possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife.” So begins what many argue is the
original romantic comedy. Miss Elizabeth Bennet is young, very clever and very poor. Mr. Darcy is
also young, very clever, and very, very wealthy. They hate each other almost at once. What if one
of them starts to realize that first impressions are often prejudiced? Will the other forget
wounded pride in order to love? (27 AR)
KD 2014