Suggested Reading for High School Students
A - D
The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes (Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)
-- MYSTERY --
Argued to be some of the greatest collection of short stories, this collection of mysteries takes place in late 19th century England with the world famous detective Sherlock Holmes.
-- MYSTERY --
Argued to be some of the greatest collection of short stories, this collection of mysteries takes place in late 19th century England with the world famous detective Sherlock Holmes.
The Alchemist (Paulo Coelho)
-- FICTION --
Paulo Coehlo introduces Santiago, an Andalusian shepherd boy who one night dreams of a distant treasure in the Egyptian pyramids. And so he's off: leaving Spain to literally follow his dream.
-- FICTION --
Paulo Coehlo introduces Santiago, an Andalusian shepherd boy who one night dreams of a distant treasure in the Egyptian pyramids. And so he's off: leaving Spain to literally follow his dream.
Almost Lost: an Anonymous Teenager’s Life on the Streets (Beatrice Sparks)
-- NON-FICTION --
This is the Real-life story of Sam's Recovery, told from tapes of his therapy sessions. It tells what drove him to leave home, how he survived on the streets, and why he was desperate to escape from the brutality of the gang that had become his "family".
-- NON-FICTION --
This is the Real-life story of Sam's Recovery, told from tapes of his therapy sessions. It tells what drove him to leave home, how he survived on the streets, and why he was desperate to escape from the brutality of the gang that had become his "family".
Amazing Grace (Jonathan Kozol)
-- NON-FICTION --
This book is a window into the lives of children in the South Bronx.
-- NON-FICTION --
This book is a window into the lives of children in the South Bronx.
The Amulet of Samarkand (Jonathan Stroud)
-- FANTASY --
A young magician’s apprentice finds himself caught up in a whirlwind of espionage, murder, and rebellion. (This is the first book of a trilogy, but you don’t need to read the others.)
-- FANTASY --
A young magician’s apprentice finds himself caught up in a whirlwind of espionage, murder, and rebellion. (This is the first book of a trilogy, but you don’t need to read the others.)
And on the 8th Day She Rested (J. D. Mason)
-- FICTION --
This is a story of Ruth Johnson, a victim of 14 years of domestic violence at the hands of her "psycho" husband, Eric. It is told from her perspective and provides the reader with a unique glimpse into the mind of an abused woman.
-- FICTION --
This is a story of Ruth Johnson, a victim of 14 years of domestic violence at the hands of her "psycho" husband, Eric. It is told from her perspective and provides the reader with a unique glimpse into the mind of an abused woman.
Anne Frank: The diary of a young girl (Anne Frank)
-- NON-FICTION (memoir) --
The personal diary of a young girl as she lives through the holocaust.
-- NON-FICTION (memoir) --
The personal diary of a young girl as she lives through the holocaust.
Angels and Demons (Dan Brown)
-- FICTION/MYSTERY --
An ancient secret brotherhood. A devastating new weapon of destruction. An unthinkable target: Rome.
-- FICTION/MYSTERY --
An ancient secret brotherhood. A devastating new weapon of destruction. An unthinkable target: Rome.
Animal Farm (George Orwell)
-- FICTION --
The famous allegorical story of a group of animals taking over a farm and running it themselves.
-- FICTION --
The famous allegorical story of a group of animals taking over a farm and running it themselves.
Autobiography of Martin Luther King Jr. (Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.)
-- NON-FICTION --
The autobiography of the leader of the passive aggressive movement during the Civil Rights era.
-- NON-FICTION --
The autobiography of the leader of the passive aggressive movement during the Civil Rights era.
Balzac and the Little Chinese Seamstress (Dai Sijie)
-- FICTION --
A love story set against the backdrop of the tumultuous Cultural Revolution in China.
-- FICTION --
A love story set against the backdrop of the tumultuous Cultural Revolution in China.
The Bell Jar (Sylvia Plath)
-- FICTION --
The searing account of a beautiful, talented woman’s descent into insanity.
-- FICTION --
The searing account of a beautiful, talented woman’s descent into insanity.
Beloved (Toni Morrison)
-- FICTION --
A compelling story about the devastating effects of slavery on a young mother, whose murdered child returns to reclaim her.
-- FICTION --
A compelling story about the devastating effects of slavery on a young mother, whose murdered child returns to reclaim her.
Blues for Mister Charlie (James Baldwin)
-- DRAMA --
Loosely based on the murder of Emmett Till in 1955, this powerful play examines the brutal effects of racism on both blacks and whites.
-- DRAMA --
Loosely based on the murder of Emmett Till in 1955, this powerful play examines the brutal effects of racism on both blacks and whites.
The Book of Ruth (Jane Hamilton)
-- FICTION --
A passionate coming-of-age story about an uneducated small-town girl with far more romance in her soul than she can ever hope to express in her life.
-- FICTION --
A passionate coming-of-age story about an uneducated small-town girl with far more romance in her soul than she can ever hope to express in her life.
Boy: Tales of Childhood (Roald Dahl)
-- NON-FICTION --
This is the exciting autobiography of the childhood of the distinguished Roald Dahl (author of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory). His childhood is by anymeans, non traditional.
-- NON-FICTION --
This is the exciting autobiography of the childhood of the distinguished Roald Dahl (author of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory). His childhood is by anymeans, non traditional.
Brave New World (Aldous Huxley)
-- FICTION --
"Community, Identity, Stability" is the motto of Aldous Huxley's utopian World State. Although there is no violence and everyone is provided for, Bernard Marx feels that something is missing and senses that his relationship with a young woman has the potential to be much more than the confines of their existence allow.
-- FICTION --
"Community, Identity, Stability" is the motto of Aldous Huxley's utopian World State. Although there is no violence and everyone is provided for, Bernard Marx feels that something is missing and senses that his relationship with a young woman has the potential to be much more than the confines of their existence allow.
Brother Ray: Ray Charles’ Own Story (Ray Charles + David Ritz)
-- NON-FICTION --
Autobiography of a prolific singer with a very difficult life, as he fights addiction, anger, illness and loss of eyesight.
-- NON-FICTION --
Autobiography of a prolific singer with a very difficult life, as he fights addiction, anger, illness and loss of eyesight.
Burned Alive (Souad)
-- NON-FICTION --
This is the autobiography of the life of a woman in Palestine who survived after her brother in law doused her in gasoline and set her on fire for being pregnant. She lives to tell the story of how women are mistreated in many countries all over the world.
-- NON-FICTION --
This is the autobiography of the life of a woman in Palestine who survived after her brother in law doused her in gasoline and set her on fire for being pregnant. She lives to tell the story of how women are mistreated in many countries all over the world.
Catch-22 (Joseph Heller)
-- FICTION/SATIRE --
This comic masterpiece exposes the absurdities of war, as well as several other human follies.
-- FICTION/SATIRE --
This comic masterpiece exposes the absurdities of war, as well as several other human follies.
The Catcher in the Rye (J. D. Salinger)
-- FICTION --
Holden Caulfield is a young boy exploring adolescence and the lessons of the life of a teenager.
-- FICTION --
Holden Caulfield is a young boy exploring adolescence and the lessons of the life of a teenager.
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (Roald Dahl)
-- FICTION --
A mysterious chocolate factory opens up to the winners of 5 golden tickets for a tour, one of whom will receive an incredible prize at the end.
-- FICTION --
A mysterious chocolate factory opens up to the winners of 5 golden tickets for a tour, one of whom will receive an incredible prize at the end.
A Child Called “It” (Dave Pelzer)
-- NON-FICTION (MEMOIR) --
The story and survival of a boy who was beaten and abused by his mentally unstable and alcoholic mother.
-- NON-FICTION (MEMOIR) --
The story and survival of a boy who was beaten and abused by his mentally unstable and alcoholic mother.
Chocolate War (Robert Cormier)
-- FICTION --
A high school freshman discovers the devastating consequences of refusing to join in the school's annual fund raising drive and arousing the wrath of the school bullies.
-- FICTION --
A high school freshman discovers the devastating consequences of refusing to join in the school's annual fund raising drive and arousing the wrath of the school bullies.
The Chosen (Chaim Potok)
-- FICTION --
In 1940s Brooklyn, New York, an accident throws Reuven Malther and Danny Saunders together. Despite their differences (Reuven is a Modern Orthodox Jew with an intellectual, Zionist father; Danny is the brilliant son and rightful heir to a Hasidic rebbe), the young men form a deep, if unlikely, friendship. Together they negotiate adolescence, family conflicts, the crisis of faith engendered when Holocaust stories begin to emerge in the U.S., loss, love, and the journey to adulthood.
-- FICTION --
In 1940s Brooklyn, New York, an accident throws Reuven Malther and Danny Saunders together. Despite their differences (Reuven is a Modern Orthodox Jew with an intellectual, Zionist father; Danny is the brilliant son and rightful heir to a Hasidic rebbe), the young men form a deep, if unlikely, friendship. Together they negotiate adolescence, family conflicts, the crisis of faith engendered when Holocaust stories begin to emerge in the U.S., loss, love, and the journey to adulthood.
The Chronicles of Narnia (C.S. Lewis)
-- FANTASY --
This is the story of an adventure that happened in Narnia and Calormen and the lands between, in the Golden Age when Peter was High King in Narnia and his brother and his two sisters were King and Queens under him.
-- FANTASY --
This is the story of an adventure that happened in Narnia and Calormen and the lands between, in the Golden Age when Peter was High King in Narnia and his brother and his two sisters were King and Queens under him.
The Coldest Winter Ever (Sister Souljah)
-- FICTION --
A coming of age story of a young girl named winter Santiaga, growing up in inner city New York.
-- FICTION --
A coming of age story of a young girl named winter Santiaga, growing up in inner city New York.
The Color of Water (James McBride)
-- NON-FICTION/TRIBUTE --
The remarkable story of Ruth McBride Jordan, the two good men she married, and the 12 good children she raised. Jordan, born Rachel Shilsky, a Polish Jew, immigrated to America soon after birth; as an adult she moved to New York City, leaving her family and faith behind in Virginia. (A black man’s tribute to his white mother)
-- NON-FICTION/TRIBUTE --
The remarkable story of Ruth McBride Jordan, the two good men she married, and the 12 good children she raised. Jordan, born Rachel Shilsky, a Polish Jew, immigrated to America soon after birth; as an adult she moved to New York City, leaving her family and faith behind in Virginia. (A black man’s tribute to his white mother)
The Color Purple (Alice Walker)
-- FICTION --
Celie is a poor black woman whose letters tell the story of 20 years of her life, beginning at age 14 when she is being abused and raped by her father and attempting to protect her sister from the same fate, and continuing over the course of her marriage to "Mister," a brutal man who terrorizes her.
-- FICTION --
Celie is a poor black woman whose letters tell the story of 20 years of her life, beginning at age 14 when she is being abused and raped by her father and attempting to protect her sister from the same fate, and continuing over the course of her marriage to "Mister," a brutal man who terrorizes her.
The Complete Stories and Poems of Edgar Allan Poe (Edgar Allan Poe)
-- POETRY --
The stories and poems written by Edgar Allan Poe. Filled with dark mystery and horror.
-- POETRY --
The stories and poems written by Edgar Allan Poe. Filled with dark mystery and horror.
The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged): The Reduced Shakespeare Company
A condensed and extremely humorous version of every one of Shakespeare’s plays all rolled into one under 3 hour play. SO FUNNY!
A condensed and extremely humorous version of every one of Shakespeare’s plays all rolled into one under 3 hour play. SO FUNNY!
Confessions of a Not It Girl (Melissa Kantor)
-- FICTION --
The amusing story of a high school senior trying to cope with the demands of life, school, and love.
-- FICTION --
The amusing story of a high school senior trying to cope with the demands of life, school, and love.
Confessions of an Ugly Stepsister (Gregory Maguire)
-- FANTASY --
This is a creative version of the Cinderella fairy tale written from the perspective of one of Cinderella’s ugly stepsisters.
-- FANTASY --
This is a creative version of the Cinderella fairy tale written from the perspective of one of Cinderella’s ugly stepsisters.
Crocodile on the Sandbank (Elizabeth Peters)
-- MYSTERY --
First book in a mystery series, a Victorian woman with 21st century ideals and a strong will goes to Egypt with a girl with a shady past where they will encounter romance, ancient Egyptian curses, murder and a walking mummy.
-- MYSTERY --
First book in a mystery series, a Victorian woman with 21st century ideals and a strong will goes to Egypt with a girl with a shady past where they will encounter romance, ancient Egyptian curses, murder and a walking mummy.
The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time (Mark Haddon)
-- FICTION --
An autistic boy is accused of a ghastly crime and tries to solve it by emulating Sherlock Holmes.
-- FICTION --
An autistic boy is accused of a ghastly crime and tries to solve it by emulating Sherlock Holmes.
Cut (Patricia McCormick)
-- FICTION --
While confined to a mental hospital, thirteen-year-old Callie slowly comes to understand some of the reasons behind her self-mutilation, and gradually starts to get better.
-- FICTION --
While confined to a mental hospital, thirteen-year-old Callie slowly comes to understand some of the reasons behind her self-mutilation, and gradually starts to get better.
The Da Vinci Code (Dan Brown)
-- FICTION --
A murder mystery where Robert Langdon solves the secret religious code of thousands of years of secret societies and uncovers a religious conspiracy theory.
-- FICTION --
A murder mystery where Robert Langdon solves the secret religious code of thousands of years of secret societies and uncovers a religious conspiracy theory.
Deathwatch (Robb White)
-- FICTION --
The suspenseful story of an honest young man’s fight to the finish against a cynical businessman.
-- FICTION --
The suspenseful story of an honest young man’s fight to the finish against a cynical businessman.
Demian (Hermann Hesse)
-- FICTION --
A brilliant psychological portrait of a young man’s quest for self-awareness .
-- FICTION --
A brilliant psychological portrait of a young man’s quest for self-awareness .
Different Seasons (Stephen King)
-- FICTION (HORROR) --
A novella of 3 shorter stories rolled into one book. You may recognize, Rita Hayworth and Shawshank Redemption, or Apt Pupil. And the third story is called The Body. These three creepy stories will keep you on the edge of your seat.
-- FICTION (HORROR) --
A novella of 3 shorter stories rolled into one book. You may recognize, Rita Hayworth and Shawshank Redemption, or Apt Pupil. And the third story is called The Body. These three creepy stories will keep you on the edge of your seat.
Digital Fortress (Dan Brown)
-- FICTION --
Internet user's spy novel where the good guys and bad guys struggle over secrets somewhat more intellectual than just where the secret formula is hidden--they have to gain understanding of what the secret formula actually is.
-- FICTION --
Internet user's spy novel where the good guys and bad guys struggle over secrets somewhat more intellectual than just where the secret formula is hidden--they have to gain understanding of what the secret formula actually is.
Dispatches (Michael Herr)
-- NON-FICTION --
A reporter’s account of the surreal experiences of infantrymen during the Vietnam War.
-- NON-FICTION --
A reporter’s account of the surreal experiences of infantrymen during the Vietnam War.
Do It! Scenarios of the Revolution (Jerry Rubin)
-- NON-FICTION (REVOLUTION) --
This is a declaration of war between the hippie generation and their parents.
-- NON-FICTION (REVOLUTION) --
This is a declaration of war between the hippie generation and their parents.
Don’t Let’s Go to the Dog’s Tonight (Alexandra Fuller)
-- NON-FICTION --
The story of a white girl growing up in War-torn Rhodesia.
-- NON-FICTION --
The story of a white girl growing up in War-torn Rhodesia.