Caleb's Crossing, written by Geraldine Brooks

Dr. Fritsen says: This historical novel explores the life of Caleb Cheeshahteaumauk, who was the first Native American to graduate from Harvard College, in the seventeenth century. Great storytelling and fine writing, it explores the crossing of cultures, and questions faith, through its two main characters, Caleb and a strong female protagonist, Bethia.

The Perks of Being a Wallflower, written by Stephen Chbosky

Ms. Jarnagin says: A friend of mine gave me this to read when I was a senior in high school and I absolutely devoured it.  I fell in love with the characters and the way Chbosky tells the story.  I think students will feel more connected to others through this book; it helps us develop empathy and compassion, and reminds us that everyone's story is worth telling. 

Rain of Gold, written by Victor Villaseñor

Ms. Moses says: Rain of Gold is a captivating account of the author's Mexican heritage. It tells of his parents' parallel struggles through immigration and poverty, of love and perseverance, dating back three generations to the time of Pancho Villa's presence in Mexico and into the Prohibition Era in California. I couldn't put it down. 

A Year in Provence, written by Peter Mayle

Mme. Owens says: Thanks to this book, you will gain an insight of French culture as you follow a British author's account of his first year leaving full time in Provence. Each chapter corresponds to a month of the year. Narrated with humour, you will turn the pages quickly and think: Ils sont fous ces Français! Wonderful resource for the Cultural Comparison task of the AP French Language and Culture exam.

The Light We Lost, written by Jill Santopolo

Ms. Quarles says: This novel makes readers engage with and question their ideas about love and fate. It also shows how individual and collective memories are woven together and how national and international events become a part of our identities. The prose is uncomplicated, but gorgeous. 

Greenlights, written by Matthew McConaughey

Ms. Rester says: It's hilarious, interesting, inspiring and full of so many notable quotes. This is someone who puts it all on the table for the world to see and isn't ashamed of being human. 

Calypso, written by David Sedaris

Mr. Bryan says: You can always count on Sedaris to be reliably hilarious in every book, but Calypso also has a depth of emotion that will break your heart (in the best possible way). This is arguably his strongest work to date.

The Fire Next Time, written by James Baldwin

Mrs. Cernoch says: This book is really two "letters" written by American novelist, essayist, and activist James Baldwin and would be a great choice for rising juniors and seniors (although any upper school student interested in the Civil Rights Movement, American history, or intellectualism would enjoy it). It's part philosophy, part narrative, and part argument, and it's simply a masterpiece, probably one of the most important texts of the 20th century.

The Remains of the Day, written by Kazuo Ishiguro

Dr. Civello says: Not only is this a love story, but it also provides a subtle glimpse into pre-World War II English political thought among the aristocracy.

Every Man Dies Alone, written by Hans Fallada

Also recommended: 

An Odyssey,: a Father, a Son, and an Epic, written by Daniel Mendelsohn

The Nickel Boys: A Novel, written by Colson Whitehead

Mrs. Salz says: I just can't even find the words to describe the rich complexity of characterization and conflict in this novel, which is based upon a real juvenile institution and is set during the 1960s. The spirit of survival, the strength of character, and a few twists that you might not see coming will resonate with you long after you finish the last chapter.

Apeirogon, written by Colum McCann

Ms. Hansell says: This beautifully written novel is based on the true stories of two fathers (one Palestinian, one Israeli) who lost their daughters and how they have coped with their grief and have helped others to understand that a solution needs to be found for the conflict between the Palestinians and Israelis. An apeirogon is a polygon with an infinite number of sides and reflects the multitude of complications involved in the deaths of the girls and the Middle East conflict. This book provides great insight into both perspectives.

Atlas Shrugged, written by Ayn Rand

Ms. Livingston says: Atlas Shrugged provides an insight into a world where government constraint and intimidation attempts to stifle individual freedoms and choices. It promotes the values of individualism in a capitalist world.

The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue, written by V.E. Schwab 

Ms. McAbee says: I inhaled this book in one sitting. Schwab will make you ponder deeply about the human experience and what legacy means to you. You won't regret giving Addie LaRue your time. 

The Pearl, written by John Steinbeck

Mr. McCarthy says: I remember having this book as a summer read in high school. It is one of my favorite novellas because it provides an approachable commentary on big ideas like human greed and our purpose in life. This is a great easy read to take on any vacation. 

Devil in the White City, written by Erik Larson

Mrs. Mrozek says: I would recommend any of Larson's books, (Isaac's Storm is a hidden gem,) because they always blend quality historical research with his journalistic knack for telling a vivid story. This one twines the story of the Chicago World's Fair of 1893 with the story of a serial killer. What's not to like?

Also recommended:

The Poisonwood Bible, written by Barbara Kingsolver

Mrs. Mrozek says: This is an old favorite that I find myself coming back to periodically.  A great family story, a great tale of colonialism in the Belgian Congo-- well worth a read.

Killers of the Flower Moon, written by David Grann

Mr. Salz says: Having the opportunity to read an extraordinary tale of discrimination, true crime, and the advent of the FBI folded into one story made the book so readable and informative. The book also serves as a microcosm for racial relations in the United States and systems of racial injustice. And, don't forget, it's so good that Hollywood paid millions for the rights and got DiCaprio to star in the movie.  

Axiom's End, written by Lindsay Ellis

Mr. Damian says: A most imaginative first contact science fiction novel full of adventure, love, and profound ideas wrapped in elegant story telling. 

Sapiens. A Brief History of Mankind, written by Yuval Harari 

Mr. Fiala says: This book is very educational about the evolution of mankind. I gained good knowledge from this book.

The Left Hand of Darkness, written by Ursula K. Le Guin

Mr. Larsen says: In this book Le Guin tackles themes of sex and gender, acculturation, misunderstanding, and conflict. It is still as relevant 52 years after it was published, if not more so.

Memory (Whitechapel: Documents of Contemporary Art), edited by Farr Ian

Mr. Negroni says: Short readings about memory and its different aspects such as forgetting and how memory can be on one hand haunting and on the other can be an endless resource for creating.

The Night Circus, written by Erin Morgenstern

Ms. Redmond says: The way that your imagination can soar while reading the author's beautiful visuals makes you feel like you are a vital part of the story. You will be fully immersed. 

Letters to a Young Poet, written by Rainer Maria Rilke

Mr. Weiss says: I read this book in high school and then again my freshman year of college. Rilke's profound wisdom has stuck with me to this day.

This Tender Land, written by William Kent Kreuger

Ms. Henderson says: Amazing story. Uplifting. Touching.

Also recommended:

The Rose Code, written by Kate Quinn

Ms. Henderson says: Amazing Historical Fiction about breaking codes in WWII.

The Genius of Birds, written by Jennifer Ackerman

Call of the Wild, written by Jack London

Mr. Varvir says: Jack London was a complex human being; while I am bothered by many of his positions (particularly with regard to race), I cannot help but feel a connection with his writing due to his obvious love for nature.  The Call of the Wild is, at its core, a story about struggle.  While I, a professed dog lover, have a hard time reading some of the more brutal passages, I have found myself gravitating toward this book for over twenty years because it treats our canine companions with the same complexity usually devoted to human beings.

The Last Stand of the Tin Can Sailors: The Extraordinary World War II Story of the U.S. Navy's Finest Hour, written by James D. Hornfischer

Mr. Buchholz says: This is one of the best written, most amazing stories of heroism, dedication to duty and skill in US military history. I highly recommend all of Hornficher's writing especially Neptune's Inferno and The Fleet at Flood Tide.

Open, written by Andre Agassi

Mr. Chein says: Open by Andre Agassi is perhaps the most honest and vulnerable autobiography I have read. It's not often that you get a hall of fame athlete (tennis player), who, in the first page of their autobiography writes, "I hate tennis."  Within that honesty and vulnerability is an invitation to consider your own life and examine your own sense of purpose.

The Great Alone, written by Kristin Hannah

Ms. England says: Usually I stick to the thriller/mystery genre, but this book really held my attention. It beautifully captures a time period and way of life, homesteading in the remote Alaskan wilderness in the 1970s, I had very little knowledge of before and is equal parts heartbreaking and inspiring.

The Splendid and the Vile, written by Erik Larson

Mr. Heil says: A compelling narrative about a fascinating individual as well as an important dive into the qualities of leadership during a dark time in the history of the Western world.

Illuminae, written by Aime Kaufman and Jay Kristoff

Ms. Lyons says: I listened to this book - the whole series, actually - in less than two weeks! The narration was more than just a reading of the text. I felt like I was alongside the characters, hurling through space trying to survive in order to be the hero and get back to tell the truth of what really happened.