Embedded Files
1. "The Raven" Edgar Allen Poe, 1849
This poem is a classic for a reason. Its use of iambic pentameter is brilliant and showcases to young readers that with enough precision and care, beats can be written into lyrics noticeable even without musical accompaniment. Anyone with an appreciation for music, especially in the hip-hop genre will gravitate to this poem, not to mention how it simultaneously plays with elements of psychological horror. This combination of top notch meter, rhyme, motion and genre use make it an ideal poem for young people to experience.
2. "How it Feels to be Colored Me" Zora Neal Hurston, 1928
Zora Neal Hurston offers a unique perspective on who she is, and how she both is and is not defined by her skin color. We learn about how she grew up as a black girl in early 1900’s America and how her take on racial identity both aligns and differs from others who look like her, along with how that informs her actions. This combination of unique perspectives from an American black woman nearly a century ago offers valuable insight to challenge modern assumptions from young Americans of all skin tones.
3. The Long Way Down Jayson Reynolds, 2017
This modern masterpiece blends poetry and storytelling along with clever use of the physical placement of words and letters on the page. This book needs to be experienced by young people. It can’t just be read to them- they must see the letters on the page and hear the author's voice. It speaks to powerful themes of generational violence, gang influences and internal pressures some youth battle daily. This story will resonate strongly with those who can relate to it directly, and it will teach essential lessons in empathy to those who can’t.
4. Monster Walter Deane Myers, 1999
This story offers a deep and meaningful exploration into racial inequities of our justice system, and challenges us to question the implications of detaining and imprisoning our young people, whether they are ruled guilty or not.
5. Jurassic Park Michael Crichton, 1990
Just as the film made my list, this book is worthy of young reader’s attention for many of the same themes. This is the only book/movie combo to make my list, but it does a good job of showcasing the differences and similarities that are due to occur between mediums. One of the best scenes from this book would have been impractical to include in the film, and it’s absolutely worth experiencing in this thrilling read.
6. "Harlem" Langston Hughes, 1951
This short and poignant piece from Hughes challenges young readers who may be tempted to defer their dreams by their own volition, as many through history had their dreams deferred for them.
7. "The Road Not Taken" Robert Frost, 1916
This is a beautiful combination of nature and philosophy to which all young people can either relate, or they will relate to soon- when they have to make difficult dichotomous choices with limited information. The ambiguity at the end of this piece also speaks to that of life itself in a way that many writers aspire, but few pull off as Frost does in this piece.
8. "This is Just to Say" William Carlos Williams, 1962
In just a handful of words, Williams is able to create a delightful piece that plays to emotions of anger, love, sadness, and humor. This is one of the greatest bangs for their bucks we can ask young people to read.
9. "The Things They Carried"
Tim O'Brien, 1990
This reading supplements this history of the song “Fortunate Son” from my song list. It is written by someone who was drafted to Vietnam and uses the genre of historical “fiction” brilliantly to tell young people the truth about war in a way that is tasteful yet honest. It’s this kind of honesty they desperately need to cut through billions of dollars and multiple generations of pro-war propaganda.
10. "To Build a Fire" Jack London, 1908
Jack London’s story-telling is delightful in this short piece, which offers a much shorter alternative to books like Call of the Wild while still transporting modern students to a time place, and a series of elements that most of them will never go to learn the kids of lessons that most of them otherwise never would. Isn't that one of the best reasons to read a great work of fiction?
Page updated
Report abuse