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1984
 By: George Orwell
 Publication Year: 1949
 Awards won: #13 on Hundred Best Novels before 20th Century
 Grade Level: 8.2
 Content Connection: uses themes from life in the Soviet Union and wartime life in Great
Britain as sources for many of its motifs.
 Genre: political fiction
 Summary of the book: This novel discusses the Totalitarian Govt. of Oceania after an
atomic war has destroyed most of the world. Winston discusses the suppressive
characteristics of a government that forces its citizens to abide by its rules using
surveillance and harsh punishments for law violation.
 Website: http://www.mondopolitico.com/library/1984/1984.htm
The Art of Rhetoric: Book I
 By: Aristotle
 Publication Year: 4th century; published in English in 1909
 Awards won: N/A
 Grade Level: 12
 Content Connection: Diagrams the components of rhetoric, which is the means of
persuasion that writers use while discussing a topic to their readers.
 Genre: Reference
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 Summary of the book: Aristotle breaks down rhetoric into three components: pathos,
ethos, and logos. He describes the purpose of each component and describes how to
implement these methods into your writing to be more persuasive and productive while
writing.
 Website: http://plato.stanford.edu/entries/aristotle-rhetoric/
Autobiography of a Face
 By: Lucy Grealy
 Publication Year:
 Awards won: No Awards
 Grade Level: 8.9
 Content Connection: Discusses societal commonalities, and teaches readers the
importance of treating others kindly and equally.
 Genre: Autobiography
 Summary of the book: Lucy Grealy discusses her adolescent years as a cancer survivor
who had part of her jaw removed to save her life. She discusses the surgeries she went
through to rebuild her jaw bone, and the sadness created by others who treated her
unfairly due to her disfigured face.
 Website: http://www.nytimes.com/2002/12/21/arts/lucy-grealy-39-who-wrote-amemoir-on-her-disfigurement.html
The Canterbury Tales
 By: Geoffrey Chaucer
 Publication Year: Near the end of the 14th Century
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 Awards won: No awards
 Grade Level: 12
 Content Connection: Chaucer uses comedy techniques and satire.
 Genre: Frame Tale
 Summary of the book: The story of a narrator who meets and joins a group of 29
travelers on their way to visit the cathedral in Canterbury, England in the 14th century.
Along the way, the characters tell stories and listen to other stories that contain several
aspects of history and commonly understood archetypes.
 Website: http://www.cliffsnotes.com/study_guide/literature/The-Canterbury-TalesSummary.id-52.html
Counting Days (magazine)
 By: Lisa Von Drasek
 Publication Year: 1947
 Awards won: N/A
 Grade Level: 6.5
 Content Connection: Teaching with Children’s Books
 Genre: Editorial
 Summary of the book: This magazine provides teachers with diverse ways to keep
school interesting throughout the semester. Lisa provides activities, real-life examples,
stories, and other activities that give students the opportunity to improve writing skills
and try new things.
 Website: http://lesage.blogs.uoit.ca/wp-uploads/2010/08/100th-Day-of-School_Litbooks_20061.pdf
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Diary of a Young Girl
 By: Anne Frank
 Publication Year: 1947
 Awards won: Humanitarian Award
 Grade Level: 6.5
 Content Connection: Describes the events in Europe during World War II.
 Genre: Autobiography
 Summary of the book: This is the real-life journal of Anne Frank, a young Jewish girl
who lived in Europe when the Nazis were tormenting the area. The novel discusses how
she felt about herself and the world, how she communicated with her mother, and how
she dealt with the hardships and sorrows of an adult thru the eyes of a teenager.
 Website: http://www.randomhouse.com/book/55534/the-diary-of-a-young-girl-by-annefrank#aboutthebook
Dracula
 By: Bram Stoker
 Publication Year: 1897
 Awards won: First recipient of the Bram Stoker Award
 Grade Level: 5.5
 Content Connection: Provides an example of how a novel can be discussed using letters
and journals.
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 Genre: Horror Novel
 Summary of the book: This story is in epistolary form, meaning that it is entirely
constructed thru journal entries and letters of a group of men and women living in
London. The novel begins with Jonathan Harker visiting the castle of Dracula, our
antagonist, in Transylvania. Afterwards, Count Dracula travels to London and begins to
wreak havoc on its inhabitants. Van Helsing shows up and uses his wisdom and
experience to blend his ideas with the first-hand experience of the others to end the reign
of Count Dracula.
 Website: http://www.randomhouse.com/book/173907/dracula-by-bram-stoker
Five People You Will Meet in Heaven
 By: Mitch Albom
 Publication Year: 2003
 Awards won: New York Times Bestseller List
 Grade Level: 5.9
 Content Connection: This book allows readers to find the positives of almost all
negatives.
 Genre: Religious Fiction
 Summary of the book: The book is about an old man named Eddie that jumps in front of
a rollercoaster cart at the amusement park he works at in order to save a little girl’s life.
Upon arrival in heaven, he wakes up energized and feels great. He meets a bunch of the
people and relives moments that he experienced during his life. The five people that
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Eddie meet while he is heaven are five people that the his actions eventually resulted in
the death of them, just like the “Butterfly Effect”.
 Website: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Five_People_You_Meet_in_Heaven
Frankenstein
 By: Mary Shelley
 Publication Year: 1823
 Awards won: No awards
 Grade Level: 3.4
 Content Connection: This novel illustrates the characteristics of Romanticism and
Gothicism. This novel is also considered to be one of the first examples of science
fiction. Frankenstein was written in epistolary form, which means that it was written in
the form of several letters, but simultaneously, a large section is narration from several
different characters.
 Genre: Gothic Novel/ Science Fiction
 Summary of the book: Dr. Victor Frankenstein, the story’s protagonist, creates a
creature that was never given a name. He labored for years to learn for to create life, but
when he implements his knowledge into an experiment, the creation of the monster, he
becomes disgusted with his creation and runs away. The abandoned monster wanders
the area until he finds a family, and he learns to read and write by watching these
people. His knowledge creates anger and resentment of Victor Frankenstein, and he
spends the majority of the novel exacting revenge upon his creator.
 Website: http://members.aon.at/frankenstein/frankenstein-novel.htm
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The Great Gatsby
 By: F. Scott Fitzgerald
 Publication Year: 1925
 Awards won: No Awards; Fitzgerald won a Nobel Peace Prize for literature
 Grade Level: 8.1
 Content Connection: Beautiful piece of American Literature.
 Genre: Classics
 Summary of the book: This novel discusses the American Dream, and the hope of a
better life in America. Gatsby embodies the naive American notion that it is possible to
invent oneself and persuade the world to accept that definition. Gatsby's youthful
neighbor, Nick Carraway, fascinated by both the display of enormous wealth and the
essential integrity that he perceives in Gatsby's vision, becomes his confidante and
accomplice in his plan to capture the heart of Daisy Buchanan.
 Website: http://www.scholastic.com/teachers/book/great-gatsby
Hamlet
 By: Shakespeare
 Publication Year: 1602
 Awards won: No Awards
 Grade Level: 11
 Content Connection: teaches the techniques of tragedy plays used in this time.
 Genre: Tragedy
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 Summary of the book: A young prince's recently murdered father appears to him to
demand justice. Rampant ambition drives another young man to deceit and murder in his
climb to power. The three daughters of an elderly king are pitted against each other for
his affections and his throne. Three of Shakespeare's most thrilling plays are collected
here for readers new and old.
 Website: http://www.shakespeare-online.com/plays/hamlet/hamletresources.html
Inferno
 By: Dante
 Publication Year: 14th century
 Awards won:
 Grade Level: N/A
 Content Connection: Discusses Medieval times characteristics and can be used to teach
the methods of allegory.
 Genre: Epic Poem
 Summary of the book: The journey of Dante and his guide Virgil, a famous poet of that
time, through the medieval conception of Hell. This “divine comedy” represents the
soul of a man traveling to meet God.
 Website: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inferno_(Dante)
Lord of the Flies
 By: William Golding
 Publication Year: 1954
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 Awards won: Times magazines top 100 novels from 1923-2005; Modern Library’s 100
best Novels of the English-language; Bestseller
 Grade Level: 8.1
 Content Connection: uses allegory and describes the outlook of Britain
 Genre: Allegorical Novel
 Summary of the book: The book portrays a group of choirboys and their descent into
savagery in a country far from civilization. At an allegorical level, the central theme is
the conflicting impulses toward civilization—live by rules, peacefully and in harmony—
and towards the will to power. Themes include the tension between groupthink and
individuality, between rational and emotional reactions, and between morality and
immorality. How these play out, and how different people feel the influences of these,
form a major subtext of Lord of the Flies.
 Website: http://www.nobelprize.org/educational/literature/golding/
Of Mice and Men
 By: John Steinbeck
 Publication Year: 1937
 Awards won: Most Challenged Books of the 21st century.
 Grade Level: 8.1
 Content Connection: Describes what it was like to find work during the Great
Depression.
 Genre: Novel
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 Summary of the book: The story describes how two men, George and Lennie, traveled
from one farm to another to find work in hopes of saving up money to buy a home.
Lennie is George’s cousin, but he is a little slow and doesn’t quite understand how to act
appropriately with animals and others.
 Website: http://www.lausd.k12.ca.us/Belmont_HS/mice/
A Midsummer Night’s Dream
 By: Shakespeare
 Publication Year: Between 1590-1596
 Awards won: N/A
 Grade Level: 8.7
 Content Connection: Assists students in understanding what a comedy is, and also helps
them learn how to read plays.
 Genre: Comedy
 Summary of the book: This comedy discusses the adventures of four young Athenian
lovers and 9 amateur actors that are manipulated by forest dwelling fairies.
 Website: http://nfs.sparknotes.com/msnd/
The Old Man & The Sea
 By: Ernest Hemingway
 Publication Year: 1951
 Awards won: Pulitzer Prize for fiction.
 Grade Level: 8.1
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 Content Connection: illustrates what a fable is.
 Genre: Novel
 Summary of the book: "The Old Man and the Sea" is one of the best works of American
fiction. He uses his prose and style to describe the characteristics of the economy at this
time near the sea. An old Cuban fisherman searching for a long sought after marlin in
the sea.
 Website: http://www.scholastic.com/teachers/book/old-man-and-sea
The Outsiders
 By: S.E. Hinton
 Publication Year: 1967
 Awards won:
 Grade Level: 5.1
 Content Connection: describes the effects of Socio-economic status.
 Genre: young-adult fiction
 Summary of the book: The story of a group of “greasers” from the poor side of town and
their constant struggle to survive in a world with minimal resources and money. The
“Socs” are a group from the wealthier side of town that tends to fight with the Greasers
simply because of who they are.
 Website: http://www.theoutsidersbookandmovie.com/
The Picture of Dorian Gray
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 By: Oscar Wilde
 Publication Year: 1890
 Awards won: no awards
 Grade Level: 9.0
 Content Connection: Describes the characters of British Literature and uses Philosophy
to describe idealism.
 Genre: philosophical fiction
 Summary of the book: The story a young wealthy man who is believed to be one of the
most attractive men. Basil paints his portrait when he is still youthful, but Lord Henry
convinces Dorian that he should enjoy his youth and beauty. Dorian makes a wish that
he could stay as beautiful as he is in the portrait forever. The soul of Dorian leaves his
body and becomes embodied in the portrait. As he commits evil acts or lusts for
another, his wickedness becomes apparent in the painting, but his good looks never
change.
 Website: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Picture_of_Dorian_Gray
Red Badge of Courage
 By: Stephen Crane
 Publication Year: 1895
 Awards won: No awards
 Grade Level: 4.3
 Content Connection: This novel explains the events of the American Civil War. This
novel is known for it’s vivid imagery, and explains the war from an internal perspective.
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 Genre: Historical Fiction
 Summary of the book: Young Henry Fleming always dreamed of being a hero in a battle
of the American Civil War, but he never expected to be physically and mentally
tormented by the reality of war. Henry continues to fight an inner battle against his
mixed thoughts, and begins to wonder if war will make him a hero, a coward, or a man.
 Website: http://www.scholastic.com/teachers/book/red-badge-courage
Romeo & Juliet
 By: Shakespeare
 Publication Year: Approx. 1591
 Awards won: N/A
 Grade Level: 10.1
 Content Connection: Teaches about drama terms.
 Genre: Tragedy Drama
 Summary of the book: This famous story is about two hopeful lovers from two separate
feuding families. As they try to make things work out, they produce an ill outcome, but
their love for one another will eventually bring their families together.
 Website: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Romeo_and_Juliet
The Scarlet Letter
 By: Nathaniel Hawthorne
 Publication Year:
 Awards won: No Awards
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 Grade Level: 9.5
 Content Connection: Hawthorne uses beautiful imagery and symbolism.
 Genre: Classics
 Summary of the book: This novel discusses the events of 17th century Puritan London.
The story’s protagonist is a woman who is forced to wear a scarlet letter as a sign of her
adultery. The letter begins to have an effect on everyone around her after awhile.
 Website: http://www.cliffsnotes.com/study_guide/literature/The-Scarlet-Letter-TheScarlet-Letter-at-a-Glance.id-167.html
A Tale of the Two Cities
 By: Charles Dickens
 Publication Year: 1859
 Awards won: No awards
 Grade Level: 9
 Content Connection: Provides insight into the history of this time
 Genre: Historical Fiction
 Summary of the book: The two involves two men and two cities. Charles and Sydney
are very similar in the way they look, but they are completely different in character.
Darnay, who has abandoned cruelty of the French nobility for London, is going to return
to Paris during the revolution to rescue his servant from the guillotine.
 Website: http://www.bookrags.com/notes/ttc/
To Kill a Mockingbird
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 By: Harper Lee
 Publication Year: 1960
 Awards won: Pulitzer Prize
 Grade Level: 8.1
 Content Connection: Provides insight of American life and literature during the Great
Depression from the outlook of a young child.
 Genre: Historical Fiction
 Summary of the book: A story of Scout Finch, her brother Jem, her father Atticus, and
the events that encompassed their lives for three years. The novel discusses the
negativity their virtuous father faces for being the lawyer of an African American man
wrongfully accused of assault and rape.
 Website: http://www.scholastic.com/teachers/book/kill-mockingbird
The Adventures of Tom Sawyer
 By: Mark Twain
 Publication Year:
 Awards won:
 Grade Level: 5.9
 Content Connection:
 Genre: Adventure; comedy
 Summary of the book: A tale of two friends growing up in the same area in the 19th
century. Tom Sawyer is the type of boy who wants to play with everything that he could
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possibly get his hands on, and Huck, who doesn’t go to school or church, has the time
and the will to play along with him. When Tom and Huck go grave robbing near the
middle of the story, they find themselves in a predicament that no young boy or girl
should face in their entire life! What will they do?
 Website: http://www.gradesaver.com/the-adventures-of-tom-sawyer/
Uncle Tom’s Cabin
 By: Harriet Beecher Stowe
 Publication Year: 1852
 Awards won: 2nd best selling novel of the 19th century, following only the Bible
 Grade Level: 7.5
 Content Connection: Directly relates to the American Civil War and describes the events
that were not well known to the entire country.
 Genre: Historical Fiction
 Summary of the book: This novel describes the events leading up to the American Civil
War in the Northern States from the perspective of a group of African Americans. The
story focuses around a particular slave that is brave enough to the save the life and gain
the freedom of hundreds.
 Website: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Uncle_Tom's_Cabin
Watchmen
 By: Alan Moore
 Publication Year: 1986-1987
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 Awards won:
 Grade Level: 6.2
 Content Connection: Provides uniqueness to the lessons
 Genre: Graphic comic series
 Summary of the book: The story of famous characters from some of British Literature’s
most popular novels and their struggle to protect the well-being of England.
 Website: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Watchmen