U.S. High School Common Reads?

Hey guys, moving to the U.S. next year and trying to get a head start on the English curriculum. What are some of the most commonly read books in United States high schools?

Given the variety of high school curricula across the United States, the assigned books can change based on the school district, teacher preferences, and sometimes specific themes or issues being focused on. That said, there are a number of literary works that appear frequently in U.S. high school classes. Here are a few:

1. "To Kill a Mockingbird" by Harper Lee: This novel dives into the themes of racism and morality in a small Southern town.

2. "The Catcher in the Rye" by J.D. Salinger: It's a coming-of-age novel that explores themes of alienation, loss, and the critique of superficiality in society.

3. "1984" by George Orwell: A dystopian novel that discusses issues of totalitarianism, surveillance, and truth manipulation.

4. "The Great Gatsby" by F. Scott Fitzgerald: This novel explores themes of idealism, social upheaval, and resistance to change during the Jazz Age.

5. "Lord of the Flies" by William Golding: This book examines the inherent evil in humanity through the lens of a group of boys stranded on an uninhabited island.

6. "Romeo and Juliet" by William Shakespeare: One of the most famous works of literature, this play explores themes of love, fate, and the consequences of family feuds.

7. "The Scarlet Letter" by Nathaniel Hawthorne: This novel offers a critical perspective on puritanical norms and the nature of sins and redemption.

Remember, reading such works in advance can give you a head start, but the discussions, thematic analyses, and supplementary materials that will be part of your classroom experience will also be crucial in understanding these texts. Happy reading!