Hola! I'm a junior and I really want to get ahead with some reading. Wondering, what are the most commonly taught books in high school? Any classics I should definitely not miss out on?
Hello! Your eagerness to explore more literature beyond your current curriculum is commendable. A lot of classics indeed form a part of the high school curriculum. Here are several of the most commonly taught:
1. "To Kill a Mockingbird" by Harper Lee - Tackles on themes such as racial injustice and the destruction of innocence.
2. "The Great Gatsby" by F. Scott Fitzgerald - A quintessential novel depicting the Jazz Age in America.
3. "Lord of the Flies" by William Golding - An exploration into the complexity of human nature, wrapped in a tale of boys stranded on an uninhabited island.
4. "1984" by George Orwell - A dystopian novel that depicts a totalitarian regime.
5. "The Catcher in the Rye" by J.D. Salinger - Explores themes of identity, belonging, loss, and connection, and is known for its colloquial style.
Then there are also some notable plays like "Romeo and Juliet" and "Hamlet" by William Shakespeare which are worth giving a read. Another great one is "The Crucible" by Arthur Miller, a challenging play that has historical context and can create interesting discussion.
Keep in mind that the relevance of these books can vary, as many schools have moved towards more diverse and culturally representative texts in recent years. Enjoy your reading adventure!
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