Classic Novels

[arkiewriter]

I'm working on some new classics for the boys to read, as they've plowed through the basic list for middle schoolers I had.  Anyone want to give me input on the "To Read" section of whether or not I'd be torturing the poor munchkins or if a book was just one of your youthful favorites?   (I have Jane Austen on there, but considering the boys hated

Comments

[laozi]

When I was 10, I read The Giver, by Lois Lowry, and it completely changed my worldview. I guess it hasn't quite been around long enough yet to be considered a "classic", but it's certainly already a young-adult classic.

Another book that had a profound impact on me was The Chocolate War, by Robert Cormier, which I read at the age of 14. I don't know how many unsettling themes you're willing to expose your kids to, so if you haven't already, you might want to read that one yourself before you give it to them. It's got quite a bit of violence and sexual content, and the good guy definitely does not win. However, it teaches some very valuable lessons.

Also, anything by James Baldwin comes highly recommended from me. Personally, my favorite work of his was Just Above My Head, but a more age-appropriate one would probably be Go Tell It On the Mountain. All of his books can be pretty emotionally painful things to read, but again, like the other recommendations I've given here, they can go a really long way towards instilling a social conscience in young readers. I didn't start reading Baldwin until my junior year of high school, though, so maybe that would be overshooting it a bit. But maybe not.

[arkiewriter]

The boys *loved* The Giver (as well as Lowry's Number the Stars). Lowry has a gift for making you see things through new eyes, I think. I need to add more of her works to the list.

I'll add The Chocolate War and pre-read. Thanks for the tips on it. They are at an age where they need to start exploring more topics, so getting outside the standard comfort zone can be a good idea.

I've only read Go Tell It On the Mountain by Baldwin, so I'll check into the other one, which sounds interesting. Might be good to pair with Maya Angelou, which I can't believe I left off the list.

I also may start splitting the books off, since I think my older son's ready to tackle more of the issues than his younger brother (who tends to be more of an innocent in grasping strong concepts than his brother).

Thanks!