Classics

Catch 22 by Joseph Heller (1961)

Sponsor(s): Matthew Yu (Gr 11) & William Wei (Gr 11) & Ms. Lyon (Library)

Set in World War II Italy, Catch-22 follows Yossarian, a cunning bombardier desperate to escape the madness of war—but trapped by a twisted military rule: if he tries to avoid dangerous missions, he’s considered sane and must keep flying. Joseph Heller’s legendary satire captures the absurdity of bureaucracy, the chaos of combat, and the desperation of a man fighting for his own survival. This fiftieth-anniversary edition brings readers an essential modern classic, enriched with critical essays, rare archival material, and a new introduction celebrating Heller’s groundbreaking work.

Flowers for Algernon by Daniel Keyes (1966)

Sponsor(s): Nathan Ng (Gr 10) & Joshua Doe (Gr 10)

Charlie Gordon is about to embark upon an unprecedented journey. Born with an unusually low IQ, he has been chosen as the perfect subject for an experimental surgery that researchers hope will increase his intelligence – a procedure that has already been highly successful when tested on a lab mouse named Algernon.

As the treatment takes effect, Charlie's intelligence expands until it surpasses that of the doctors who engineered his metamorphosis. The experiment appears to be a scientific breakthrough of paramount importance, until Algernon suddenly deteriorates. Will the same happen to Charlie?

Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood (1985) (For Grade 10-12 only)

Sponsor(s): Holden Williams (Gr 10) and Mr. Christian MacGillivray (Socials Teacher)

Set in a dystopian future where the U.S. has become a religious dictatorship called Gilead, The Handmaid’s Tale follows Offred, a woman forced into reproductive servitude. Through her eyes, we see a chilling world where the Bible is used to justify oppression. Both haunting and powerful, Margaret Atwood’s novel is a sharp warning about where current social trends could lead.

How Do You Live? by Genzaburo Yoshino (1937)

Sponsor(s): Ms. Rachel Davidson (University Guidance Counsellor)

How Do You Live? is narrated in two voices. The first belongs to Copper, fifteen, who after the death of his father must confront inevitable and enormous change, including his own betrayal of his best friend. In between episodes of Copper’s emerging story, his uncle writes to him in a journal, sharing knowledge and offering advice on life’s big questions as Copper begins to encounter them. Over the course of the story, Copper, like his namesake Copernicus, looks to the stars, and uses his discoveries about the heavens, earth, and human nature to answer the question of how he will live.

The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton (1967)

Sponsor(s): Addison Groenewold (Gr 11) & Miral Nazari (Gr 11)

No one ever said life was easy. But Ponyboy is pretty sure that he's got things figured out. He knows that he can count on his brothers, Darry and Sodapop. And he knows that he can count on his friends - true friends who would do anything for him, like Johnny and Two-Bit. And when it comes to the beating up on "greasers" like him and his friends - he knows that he can count on them for trouble. But one night someone takes things too far, and Ponyboy's world is turned upside down...