Top Ten Books that would be on my Syllabus if I taught YA Fiction 101.
I am a high school math teacher, but IF I could teach about these books (and have the freedom to include other awesome YA Fiction books) I would totally consider making the switch to high school English. Due to the overwhelming need to include series in the required reading for the course, it will run longer than one semester.
Ender's Game by Orson Scott CardThis book is chock full of themes to be explored: children who are in adult situations, war, leadership, power, humanity, just to name a few. It's also a keep you on the edge of your seat kind of book. Optional supplemental reading: Ender's Shadow.
Harry Potter and the Sourcerer's Stone by JK Rowling
Because DUH! If my students haven't already read this series, then I will hope to convert them as soon as possible. But also, I think that there is a lot to glean from this series, especially books 5,6, & 7.
Throne of Glass by Sarah J Maas
We NEED to discuss strong female characters in my YA Fiction 101 course and Celaena is the perfect way to ease into that topic. She is flawed but powerful. Of course we will plan to read all the published books in this series too.
Continuing the discussion on strong female characters, we will read The Graceling Realm Series. Each book focuses on a different female character, with different strengths and different challenges to overcome.
Scarlet by AC GaughenScarlet will serve as our transition between strong female characters and fairy tale retellings. A large portion of our discussion will focus on the author's choice to take a traditionally male character (Will Scarlet) and write the character as a female. Again, we will plan to read the entire series.
Cinder by Marissa Meyer
Continuing the discussion on fairy tale retellings, we will read the Lunar Chronicles. For this series, we will discuss the weaving of several fariy tales together and the phenomenal world building.
The Winner's Curse by Marie Rutkowski
In order to discuss fabulous world building and beautiful writing, we will read The Winner's Curse. There is lots to discuss here in terms of forbidden love and politics.
Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher
In order to address the unique struggles of being a Young Adult, we will read this book and discuss bullying and suicide.Hopefully this book will serve as an eye opener for how we treat others.
Staying Fat for Sarah Byrnes by Chris CutcherAnother important book that addresses the struggles of being a young adult and focuses on being a good friend to someone in a terrible situation.
Glass Arrow by Kristen Simmons
In order to discuss women's (reproductive) rights and the way that we envision the future.
