# Recommend a book for a class of 11th grade students. **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [June 9, 2008, 8:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-book-for-a-class-of-11th-grade-students/452368 "2008-06-09T20:55:25Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![DadWagonDriver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/edb3f5/32.png) [@DadWagonDriver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DadWagonDriver)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2008, 8:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-book-for-a-class-of-11th-grade-students/452368/1 "2008-06-09T20:55:25Z")
Let’s suppose that I have funds to buy a class set of novels for my 11th grade English class. This school is 60% Hispanic, 39% African-American, and 1% White. Many of them read below grade level, but most enjoy the challenge when I give them a book which they consider tough. I’ve taught _Lord of the Flies_, _Of Mice and Men_ (which they loved), _Into Thin Air_ (which we quit because we all hated it), _Monster: Diary of an LA gang member_, and _Life is Funny_. Most of them were lukewarm to LotF, like OM&M, disliked _Monster_ (too repetitive), and like _Life is Funny_. What would you suggest I order for them to read? I’m not against another canonical work, but I would like to throw in something that more of my Hispanic students can identify with. It seems like a lot of YA lit is focused on black culture, or I’m just looking in the wrong place. ---
**Author:** ![garygnu](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/garygnu/32/2924_2.png) [@garygnu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/garygnu)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2008, 9:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-book-for-a-class-of-11th-grade-students/452368/2 "2008-06-09T21:09:07Z")
_The House on Mango Street_ by Sandra Cisneros _One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich_ by Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn _Fahrenheit 451_ by Ray Bradbury ---
**Author:** ![powerjacob](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/f05b48/32.png) [@powerjacob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/powerjacob)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2008, 9:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-book-for-a-class-of-11th-grade-students/452368/3 "2008-06-09T21:33:15Z")
I’m not sure if this qualifies, but I’ve always enjoyed Kurt Vonegut’s work. “Breakfast of Champions,” “Slaughterhouse Five,” “Slapstick,” “Hocus Pocus,” and so on. The first book I read of his was “Timequake” soon after it had been published. That was the book that hooked me to his work. In High School I did not like to read, but if I would have discovered him earlier in my teen years I probably would have read a great deal more than I did. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Them](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/898d66/32.png) [@The\_Them](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Them)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2008, 9:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-book-for-a-class-of-11th-grade-students/452368/4 "2008-06-09T21:51:42Z")
There’s a good chance that this is too advanced, but 11th graders might be ready for _Love in the Time of Cholera,_ by Garcia-Marquéz, and the Hispanic kids might like that there are some names and cultural details that are familiar to them. The book is not offputting at all, I didn’t think. ---
**Author:** ![AuntiePam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/f19dbf/32.png) [@AuntiePam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AuntiePam)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2008, 10:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-book-for-a-class-of-11th-grade-students/452368/5 "2008-06-09T22:18:03Z")
How about [The Book Thief](http://www.amazon.com/Book-Thief-Markus-Zusak/dp/0375831002) by Markus Zusak? It’s not difficult to read – the style is simple and straightforward – but there’s plenty to talk about in the book’s theme and structure. Another one that the kids could relate to is [The Hummingbird’s Daughter](http://www.amazon.com/Hummingbirds-Daughter-Luis-Alberto-Urrea/dp/0316154520) by Luis Alberto Urrea. It’s based on actual events in Mexico’s history, and has a lot to say about race relations. There’s some sex, but it’s not titillating, in case school administrators worry about that. ---
**Author:** ![OtakuLoki](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/ac8455/32.png) [@OtakuLoki](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OtakuLoki)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2008, 10:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-book-for-a-class-of-11th-grade-students/452368/6 "2008-06-09T22:38:32Z")
[QUOTE=garygnu] _One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich_ by Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn [/QUOTE] I want to second this. It’s a simply written book, and still hugely powerful. I read it first, in ninth grade (Russian History, actually) and everyone in my class found it fascinating reading. Not precisely comfortable, but beautiful. Or perhaps awesome, in the classic sense of the word. Other suggestions: _Winesburg, Ohio_, by Sherwood Anderson: a collection of short stories about turn of the century middle America. (Turn of the twentieth century, that is.) It’s where I first heard the thesis that the grotesque could be beautiful. If you’re willing to go with a bit of thinking fluff (if that’s not a contradiction in terms) and would enjoy a discussion of Greek/Roman and Egyptian myth to back up the book, you might try [Pyramid Scheme](http://webscription.net/10.1125/Baen/067131839X/067131839X.htm) by Eric Flint and Dave Freer. Grand fun, and a rather iconoclastic view of some familiar myths. Also the cast has a varied mis of races amongst the characters, removing one potential barrier for your class’ enjoyment. Though, to be fair the main benefit of the book that I can see would be instilling an iconoclastic view of early Mediterranean myth. It’s fun, I’m not sure it’s literature. (Link goes to a complete, free, and legal copy of the book available online, so you can preview if you’re interested.) ---
**Author:** ![ZebraShaSha](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/eada6e/32.png) [@ZebraShaSha](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZebraShaSha)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2008, 10:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-book-for-a-class-of-11th-grade-students/452368/7 "2008-06-09T22:45:18Z")
Camus’s _The Stranger_, so everyone identifies! Camus isn’t taught enough in high school, although he seems perfect for it. His works can often be taken at straight value, as a simple, yet compelling, story. He often uses really interesting literary devices if that’s what you happen to be teaching. Or, you can read into them, and find extended metaphors on WWII, modern life, etc. And you can also read up all about absurdism. I think most people go through an absurdist stage, especially in high school through college, so to teach the classics/standards. ---
**Author:** ![liirogue](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/dbc845/32.png) [@liirogue](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/liirogue)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2008, 10:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-book-for-a-class-of-11th-grade-students/452368/8 "2008-06-09T22:53:13Z")
We read two in highschool that continue to stick out in my mind, and the majority of my class liked: _Night_ by Elie Wiesel _To Kill a Mockingbird_ by Harper Lee Much of the other stuff we read received lukewarm response, though I think a lot of it was simply because we _had_ to read it, it wasn’t our choice. Vonnegut was hated by most, as was Ralph Ellison (_Invisible Man_ in particular). ---
**Author:** ![OtakuLoki](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/ac8455/32.png) [@OtakuLoki](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OtakuLoki)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2008, 10:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-book-for-a-class-of-11th-grade-students/452368/9 "2008-06-09T22:54:29Z")
**ZebraShaSha** , I hope you’ll take this in the spirit it is intended. 😉 Nooooooooooooooooo!!! Not _The Stranger_! Anything but _The Stranger_! More seriously, if you want to include some absurdist, or existentialist literature, I’d suggest plays. Jean Paul Satre’s _No Exit_ Eugene Ionesco’s _Rhinoceros_, which I think could lead to some lovely classroom discussions. Jean Anouhil’s _Antigone_ even Beckett’s _Waiting for Godot_ was more fun than _The Stranger_. ---
**Author:** ![MandaJo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ac91a4/32.png) [@MandaJo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MandaJo)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2008, 10:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-book-for-a-class-of-11th-grade-students/452368/10 "2008-06-09T22:57:51Z")
I teach 11th grade English. For regular (not AP) kids, I’d suggest: _Ender’s Game_ (They really like this) _Of Mice and Men_ _Raisin in the Sun_ _The Crucible_ I have taught these to classes pretty much exactly as you describe and had good success. If they seem to easy, try _The Princess Bride_ and _The Great Gatsby_. They need more help with those. ---
**Author:** ![Emmy2635](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/919ad9/32.png) [@Emmy2635](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Emmy2635)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2008, 10:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-book-for-a-class-of-11th-grade-students/452368/11 "2008-06-09T22:59:45Z")
The Perks of Being a Wallflower, by Stephen Chbosky. The kids will love it! ---
**Author:** ![MandaJo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ac91a4/32.png) [@MandaJo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MandaJo)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2008, 11:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-book-for-a-class-of-11th-grade-students/452368/12 "2008-06-09T23:01:28Z")
[QUOTE=liirogue] We read two in highschool that continue to stick out in my mind, and the majority of my class liked: _Night_ by Elie Wiesel _To Kill a Mockingbird_ by Harper Lee Much of the other stuff we read received lukewarm response, though I think a lot of it was simply because we _had_ to read it, it wasn’t our choice. Vonnegut was hated by most, as was Ralph Ellison (_Invisible Man_ in particular). [/QUOTE] I will say that I had a LOT of trouble with _TKAM_ among this sort of population. The word “nigger” is in there more than you remember, and that turns some kids off when you read aloud (and all the logical reasons why it shouldn’t are meaningless if the kids have shut you out). There is also a lot of assumed prior knowledge about Southern small town life that is lost on these kids. You spend a LOT of time explaining the jokes. ---
**Author:** ![davidw](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/c4cdca/32.png) [@davidw](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davidw)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2008, 11:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-book-for-a-class-of-11th-grade-students/452368/13 "2008-06-09T23:08:53Z")
The Toughest Indian in the World by Sherman Alexie Norwegian Wood by Haruki Murakami Cavalier and Clay by Michael Chabon Lilith’s Brood by Octavia Butler The White Boy Shuffle by Paul Beatty ---
**Author:** ![myskepticsight](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/cc9497/32.png) [@myskepticsight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/myskepticsight)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2008, 11:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-book-for-a-class-of-11th-grade-students/452368/14 "2008-06-09T23:13:53Z")
[QUOTE=Emmy2635] The Perks of Being a Wallflower, by Stephen Chbosky. The kids will love it! [/QUOTE] Dunno. I like the book. But it’s very “white, emo-kid” bordering on hipster (music, books, and other pop culture stuff mentioned). Not sure if the students in question will be able to relate. I thought Ivan Denisovich was a bit boring, but that’s just me. Readable though. ---
**Author:** ![Harriet\_the\_Spry](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/e56c9b/32.png) [@Harriet\_the\_Spry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Harriet_the_Spry)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2008, 12:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-book-for-a-class-of-11th-grade-students/452368/15 "2008-06-10T00:52:41Z")
What about something by Arturo Perez Reverte? ---
**Author:** ![schnuckiputzi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecb155/32.png) [@schnuckiputzi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/schnuckiputzi)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2008, 1:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-book-for-a-class-of-11th-grade-students/452368/16 "2008-06-10T01:05:45Z")
I’ve taught “Cry the Beloved Country” by Alan Paton (I think that’s spelled correctly), and most of my classes really got into the themes of racial injustice/apartheid and the fact that the boy in the story gets caught up in some bad companions and ends up paying the price. There are several movies that feed into learning about the South African culture that we also watch. ---
**Author:** ![Clothahump](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/51bf81/32.png) [@Clothahump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Clothahump)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2008, 1:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-book-for-a-class-of-11th-grade-students/452368/17 "2008-06-10T01:40:11Z")
[QUOTE=ZebraShaSha] Camus’s _The Stranger_, so everyone identifies! Camus isn’t taught enough in high school, although he seems perfect for it. His works can often be taken at straight value, as a simple, yet compelling, story. He often uses really interesting literary devices if that’s what you happen to be teaching. Or, you can read into them, and find extended metaphors on WWII, modern life, etc. And you can also read up all about absurdism. I think most people go through an absurdist stage, especially in high school through college, so to teach the classics/standards. [/QUOTE] Please tell us that was posted as a joke. I would not inflict Camus on my worst enemy. ---
**Author:** ![j666](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/9de0a6/32.png) [@j666](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/j666)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2008, 2:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-book-for-a-class-of-11th-grade-students/452368/18 "2008-06-10T02:13:52Z")
Hemingway. _The Old Man and the Sea_ comes to mind. And he wrote _lots_ of short stories. Hemingway is dirty and noble and simple in construct; they can relate to the grit and misery; they might find a clue of something outside their lives; they will be able to grasp the vocabulary and sentence structure; you, as a teacher, will probably love it. Re-read “A Clean, Well-lighted Place”; I’ll bet your students will get that, even if they won’t admit in class. [I hated Hemingway; left with a choice between Faulkner and Hemingway, I’d learn to knit.] You might mix it with some Dickens or Scott; both would seem equally exotic to kids, and, in comparison to H., it would touch on the fun and exuberance of _language._ _A Tale of Two Cities_ and _Ivanhoe_ come to mind; relatively short, the ‘good guys’ win, and both embody unpopular socio-political sentiments. Just don’t expect them to read every word, and let them make fun of the characters. [Aside] My favorite memory of a presentation at a high school is when one girl declared, “That Medea, she wasn’t wrapped too tight”. My least favorite is seeing that her instructor was about to correct her. And my proudest was telling her that she (the student) was right. [/Aside] ---
**Author:** ![Skylark](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e274bd/32.png) [@Skylark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skylark)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2008, 2:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-book-for-a-class-of-11th-grade-students/452368/19 "2008-06-10T02:26:58Z")
[QUOTE=powerjacob] I’m not sure if this qualifies, but I’ve always enjoyed Kurt Vonegut’s work. “Breakfast of Champions,” “Slaughterhouse Five,” “Slapstick,” “Hocus Pocus,” and so on. The first book I read of his was “Timequake” soon after it had been published. That was the book that hooked me to his work. In High School I did not like to read, but if I would have discovered him earlier in my teen years I probably would have read a great deal more than I did. [/QUOTE] _Slaughterhouse Five_ was one of the many books which in a small way changed my life. Anything by Vonnegut is pretty good. He’s funny, blasphemous, creative; he’ll hold your attention (up yours, Dickens!) and give your brain a heavy thinking spell. [QUOTE=OtakuLoki] Jean Anouhil’s _Antigone_ [/QUOTE] We did Antigone when I was a sophomore. It was a chore. We read it in class. 30+ bored 16 & 17 year olds reading translated Greek in monotone. "This lays cities low this drives… men from their homes their trains and… wuharps honest souls… till they set themselves to… werx of shame; this steel teches folk to… practice vill-ain-ees, and to know ev-ery godless deed but all… the men who --what’s that? “wrought” “this thing for higher haf made it sure… that soon or late they shall… pay the price. Popcorn Michael when do we get out.” Zzzzzzzz… _WHAM!_ That was the sound of my head hitting the desk. ---
**Author:** ![OtakuLoki](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/ac8455/32.png) [@OtakuLoki](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OtakuLoki)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2008, 2:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-book-for-a-class-of-11th-grade-students/452368/20 "2008-06-10T02:33:10Z")
[QUOTE=Skylark] We did Antigone when I was a sophomore. It was a chore. We read it in class. 30+ bored 16 & 17 year olds reading translated Greek in monotone. "This lays cities low this drives… men from their homes their trains and… wuharps honest souls… till they set themselves to… werx of shame; this steel teches folk to… practice vill-ain-ees, and to know ev-ery godless deed but all… the men who --what’s that? “wrought” “this thing for higher haf made it sure… that soon or late they shall… pay the price.” Zzzzzzzz… _WHAM!_ That was the sound of my head hitting the desk. [/QUOTE] I can’t speak for the Sophocles tragedy. I was referencing an [modern version of the play, written by one of the contemporaries of Satre and Camus](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antigone_(Anouilh_play)). I had it taught as part of the Existentialist movement. (I misspelled Anouilh’s name, though.) It moves a lot more comfortably than Greek. Honest. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-book-for-a-class-of-11th-grade-students/452368.md?page=2)