Rating Classic High School Books

Like many students in the US, I’ve read my fair share of books for class. As an avid reader, I love this. I adore the discussions, the debates, the questions. If it wasn’t for figures like Hasan Piker getting me into politics, I probably would have been an English major.

As I come to the final year of my undergrad career, I’ve reflected on the past more. With that comes my high school memories – some of the best happening in English class, especially AP Language. So walk down memory lane with me as I rate some of America’s classic high school hits, and some that were probably less so.

Freshman Year

The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho

3/5

The Alchemist is a quick read and because of that I can see why it was chosen as summer reading for students just starting their high school career. However, to me, it’s an average story so it gets an average rating. There are philosophical discussions throughout that present questions to the reader that can make it seem a bit like a self-help book at times. If you’re getting into “the hero’s journey” stories, this is definitely a must read.

Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck

2.5/5

This book is simply sad. Not only does the novel take place upon a backdrop of desolation but nearly every single character suffers. While, yes, the point is to see the misery of the time and empathize with the different characters, it didn’t pull it off for me as well as other novels have. Of Mice and Men is certainly not a bad story: it’s simple, short, and the characters are easy to get attached to – but that’s about it. Some of the stereotypes in this book were discussed in class like Curley’s wife wearing red were perhaps too obvious at times, but that’s a personal note.

The House on Mango Street by Sandra Cisneros

4/5

The first thing I noticed about this book was that it took place in Chicago which I loved since I’m from the area. Because of this, it was far easier to imagine. It’s a coming of age story like The Alchemist and just as sad as Of Mice and Men, but Cisneros’ vignette style and prose makes those factors punch even harder. The House on Mango Street is a modern classic that discusses difficult themes like identity and social class in an easy to digest way that still remains impactful.

Mythology by Edith Hamilton

5/5

Now, technically my class didn’t read the entirety of Mythology in class, but I went along and read the rest of it anyway. For starters, I love Greek mythology with a passion though most of my knowledge originally came from the Percy Jackson series, which isn’t the most true to source. Mythology remedied those gaps in my knowledge with a great introduction to some of the most famous Greek myths. Hamilton knows her stuff and walks readers through in an enjoyable and informative way.

To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee

4/5

Whereas Mythology fueled my love of mythology, To Kill a Mockingbird did the same for law. This novel addresses some of the hardest to digest parts of American history, but that makes them even more important to dive into so that we do not repeat the mistakes of our past. The writing can seem a bit boring at times, I’ll admit that, but it’s worth diving in to understand the importance of this novel. Many of us are like Scout and lack knowledge about the world around us, and To Kill a Mockingbird teaches us the aspects which we do not yet know.

The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini

5/5

The Kite Runner is a heart wrenching tale that everyone should read, a modern classic for the ages. When I first read this book, I didn’t understand the full significance of it, especially not in a world where I was disconnected from politics and social ills. With the knowledge I now have, this novel hits even harder. The Kite Runner leaves the reader feeling utterly moved by the brilliant prose and the imperfection in each of the characters.

Sophomore Year

1984 by George Orwell

3/5

1984 is a classic for a reason and that’s because it has been so highly applicable to the political climate of the past and the present. This novel shouldn’t be treated as a guide, as some leaders may believe, but instead a warning to the people as to what signs they should look for to know when their government begins to slip into authoritarian tendencies. The world that Orwell creates is terrifying and certainly enough to invoke fear into its reader. While I would love to give it a 5/5, Orwell is an author of his time in many of the worst ways. There’s a lot of misogyny in this book, especially coming from the protagonist which can be difficult to read at parts. 1984 is still a father of the dystopian genre and should be revered as such.

Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury

3.5/5

Another dystopia book – could you tell that sophomore year had a bit of a theme? Fahrenheit 451 is a short novel, so if you’re getting into the genre this is a great start. Bradbury had a confusing way of illustrating which can be annoying at times, but it's worth the read. Like 1984 this piece is applicable to today and should always be a part of a high school course to demonstrate the importance of literature. Go support your local library or second hand bookstore to keep those books in circulation.

Slaughterhouse 5 by Kurt Vonnegut

2.5/5

As loved as this book is, Vonnegut’s writing isn’t really for me. It didn’t help that my teacher made the unit absolutely insufferable by knocking down student theories and stifling open conversations with his own point of view. Books such as Slaughterhouse Five are ripe for interpretation so if you like investigating several different avenues, this is the novel for you. Honestly, if I went back and read this novel outside of school, I likely would have enjoyed it a lot more. “So it goes” was repeated so many times that it barely felt like words at the end.

Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston

4.5/5

I’ve read several of Zora Neale Hurston’s pieces now, such as her play Spunk, but this novel is my favorite of the bunch. The writing is beautiful and a backbone for the origins of Black Feminist literature. The characters are written with care and are treated more humanely then other novels published at the same time. The dialect chosen is important given the setting, but can be a bit confusing at times. The in-class projects for Their Eyes Were Watching God also allowed me to use my art skills, which is always a fun time. For lovers of historical fiction, I’d highly recommend this book.

They Say I Say by Cathy Birkenstein, Gerald Graff, and Russel K. Durst

3/5

They Say I Say is a book that simply sits on my shelf. It’s informational and great for new writers or ones that need a bit of a refresher on how to write an argumentative paper. When my University Writing professor mentioned this book, I sat in my seat for a few minutes with wide eyes because I couldn’t believe after years it was coming back to haunt me. The biggest issue I have with this book is that it leads to bland writing since They Say I Say is filled with templates that my Honors English 2 teacher had us write word for word – not the best way to write, especially once you get into college and beyond.

Junior Year

Into the Wild by Jon Krakauer

3.5/5

The writing style of Into the Wild wasn’t for me. It was rather obvious that Krakauer was biased against Chris, a position I don’t hold. The switches between Chris’ story and Krakauer’s own investigation into his death, was off putting at times, though important. A bit more focus in the drafting stage could have prevented this from becoming disorienting. The in class debates bordered on personal at times, but still invigorating. Into the Wild is certainly not perfect, but it was a great way to start the year and get students speaking.

The Crucible by Arthur Miller

4/5

I wasn’t going to talk about all the plays I’ve read, but The Crucible was way too much fun to ignore. Reading through this play was likely the only time in high school where everyone played their parts to the fullest – utilizing accents, real acting, and even stage direction at some points. Like every good class book, The Crucible inspired me to go searching on Tumblr for fan accounts and memes. The play is far from a historical piece on the Salem witch trials, but is a great commentary on the real world McCarthy communist hunts of the 1950s.

The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald

5/5

The Great Gatsby is the magnum opus of high school literature. Truly, I don’t think any AP Language class is complete without a read through of this novel. Both the novel and the history around it is filled with theories, analysis, and questionable choices that warrant investigation. There were so many questions to be answered that the novel inspired me to write a twenty-five page essay, outside of school, about Nick Carraway. For those that love The Great Gatsby and the lead character as much as I do, I suggest checking out some adaptations like Self Made Boys by Anna-Marie McLemore and The Pursued and Pursuing by AJ Odasso.

Senior Year

Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi

4.5/5

This was the start of the changes made to the AP Literature curriculum, and I have to admit, I wasn’t too happy about it. I was looking forward to reading pieces like The Picture of Dorian Gray, but alas that did not happen. Homegoing was a rather good book though. The switching POVs was a little hard to keep track of at first, but after that the novel became a moving generational saga touching on the most heartbreaking moments in American and African history. I wished that some of the chapters were longer to understand each character more, but I’d still recommend this to everyone.

Frankenstein by Mary Shelley

5/5

Frankenstein is by far one of my favorite novels of all time – Mary Shelley is a true genius. The “justice” unit as it was called in my AP Literature class was filled with essays and art projects that I utilized to the fullest. My analysis of the book made many of my classmates roll their eyes, but I adored looking at Frankenstein through an alternative lens. Between Victor’s mania, the relationships with Henry and Elizabeth, and the monster portrayed in his true form, Frankenstein is a wonderful choice.

Lord of the Flies by William Golding

4.5/5

The first time I read this book was in eighth grade, which I didn’t know wasn’t the norm. I loved it back then, and I loved it when I read it in high school. In fact, the discussions that arose during class about this book made me feel like a genius. There are minor points deducted due to some of the problems I have with this book though. I wouldn’t say Lord of the Flies is the greatest representation of humanity, the real case of the Tongan castaways was a stark difference. However, the novel is enthralling nonetheless.

I read a lot throughout high school, this isn’t even touching on the multitude of Shakespeare and Oscar Wilde plays, countless articles, and numerous short stories and poems we discussed in class. In a time when people are quick to drop the book for a phone to TV, I urge you to second guess your action. Sifting through our pasts we can find forgotten treasures and wonderful memories in the books we’ve read.