Education

The Education Collection focuses on titles that explore teaching, learning, and knowledge through fiction and nonfiction genres. Offering perspectives from educators and students alike, these selections examine the formal and informal ways people gain and share knowledge and the social institutions that define education and schooling.

Publication year 2025

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Identity: Mental Health, Life/Time: Childhood & Youth, Life/Time: Coming of Age, Self Discovery, Society: Class, Society: Community, Society: Education, Values/Ideas: Justice & Injustice, Values/Ideas: Truth & Lies

Tags Coming of Age / Bildungsroman


Publication year 1976

Genre Autobiography / Memoir, Nonfiction

Themes Relationships: Friendship, Emotions/Behavior: Determination / Perseverance, Emotions/Behavior: Courage, Emotions/Behavior: Fear, Emotions/Behavior: Gratitude, Emotions/Behavior: Hope, Emotions/Behavior: Joy, Emotions/Behavior: Loneliness, Emotions/Behavior: Love, Emotions/Behavior: Shame & Pride, Identity: Disability, Identity: Mental Health, Life/Time: Childhood & Youth, Natural World: Appearance & Reality, Natural World: Nurture v. Nature, Natural World: Place, Relationships: Teams, Self Discovery, Society: Community, Society: Education, Society: Politics & Government, Values/Ideas: Equality, Values/Ideas: Justice & Injustice, Values/Ideas: Loyalty & Betrayal, Values/Ideas: Safety & Danger, Values/Ideas: Science & Technology, Values/Ideas: Trust & Doubt

Tags Memoir / Autobiography, Children's Literature, Disability


Publication year 2024

Genre Book, Nonfiction

Themes Emotions/Behavior: Apathy, Emotions/Behavior: Loneliness, Identity: Gender, Identity: Mental Health, Life/Time: Childhood & Youth, Natural World: Place, Society: Community, Society: Education, Values/Ideas: Science & Technology

Tags Education, Education, Science / Nature, Sociology, Parenting, Psychology, Psychology, Mental Illness, Self Help, Health / Medicine


Publication year 2011

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Life/Time: Coming of Age, Emotions/Behavior: Conflict, Emotions/Behavior: Courage, Emotions/Behavior: Determination / Perseverance, Emotions/Behavior: Fear, Emotions/Behavior: Forgiveness, Emotions/Behavior: Guilt, Emotions/Behavior: Hope, Emotions/Behavior: Love, Emotions/Behavior: Shame & Pride, Identity: Masculinity, Identity: Mental Health, Identity: Sexuality, Life/Time: Midlife, Life/Time: Mortality & Death, Natural World: Place, Relationships: Family, Relationships: Friendship, Relationships: Teams, Self Discovery, Society: Community, Society: Education, Values/Ideas: Beauty, Values/Ideas: Fate, Values/Ideas: Good & Evil, Values/Ideas: Loyalty & Betrayal, Values/Ideas: Safety & Danger

Tags Sports, Relationships, Psychological Fiction

Published in 2011, The Art of Fielding by Chad Harbach is a work of literary fiction depicting the interwoven journeys of characters at Westish, a fictional small liberal arts college in Wisconsin. Henry Skrimshander is a talented baseball shortstop whose future is jeopardized by an errant throw. His development intersects with that of his teammate Schwartz; his roommate, Owen; college president Guert; and Pella, Guert’s daughter and a newly enrolled student of Westish. The novel... Read The Art of Fielding Summary


Publication year 1994

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Society: Education, Emotions/Behavior: Revenge, Life/Time: Childhood & Youth, Relationships: Mothers, Relationships: Siblings, Society: Class, Society: Community, Values/Ideas: Justice & Injustice

Tags Humor, Children's Literature, Realistic Fiction


Publication year 1947

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Society: Education, Emotions/Behavior: Determination / Perseverance, Life/Time: Mortality & Death, Society: Community

Tags Historical Fiction, Classic Fiction, Children's Literature, Education, Education, Japanese Literature


Publication year 2021

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Relationships: Family, Emotions/Behavior: Love, Identity: Femininity, Life/Time: Mortality & Death, Life/Time: The Future, Life/Time: The Past, Natural World: Animals, Natural World: Appearance & Reality, Natural World: Objects, Natural World: Place, Relationships: Mothers, Relationships: Siblings, Self Discovery, Society: Community, Society: Education, Values/Ideas: Art, Values/Ideas: Beauty, Values/Ideas: Fate, Values/Ideas: Good & Evil, Values/Ideas: Literature, Values/Ideas: Loyalty & Betrayal, Values/Ideas: Order & Chaos, Values/Ideas: Religion & Spirituality

Tags Fantasy, Romance, Historical Fiction


Publication year 2024

Genre Book, Nonfiction

Themes Emotions/Behavior: Determination / Perseverance, Identity: Disability, Relationships: Teams, Self Discovery, Society: Class, Society: Education, Values/Ideas: Win & Lose


Publication year 2009

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Relationships: Family, Emotions/Behavior: Conflict, Emotions/Behavior: Courage, Emotions/Behavior: Determination / Perseverance, Emotions/Behavior: Fear, Emotions/Behavior: Guilt, Emotions/Behavior: Hope, Emotions/Behavior: Loneliness, Emotions/Behavior: Memory, Relationships: Daughters & Sons, Relationships: Friendship, Relationships: Grandparents, Relationships: Fathers, Relationships: Mothers, Relationships: Teams, Identity: Disability, Identity: Indigenous, Identity: Gender, Identity: Race, Society: Immigration, Society: Class, Society: Community, Society: Education, Society: War, Society: Nation, Self Discovery, Society: Politics & Government, Natural World: Place, Values/Ideas: Equality, Values/Ideas: Fate, Values/Ideas: Loyalty & Betrayal, Values/Ideas: Safety & Danger, Values/Ideas: Win & Lose, Values/Ideas: Truth & Lies, Life/Time: Aging, Life/Time: Childhood & Youth, Life/Time: Coming of Age, Life/Time: The Past, Life/Time: Midlife, Life/Time: Mortality & Death

Tags Historical Fiction, Children's Literature, Sports, Realistic Fiction, History: World


Publication year 2017

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Natural World: Animals, Emotions/Behavior: Conflict, Emotions/Behavior: Courage, Emotions/Behavior: Determination / Perseverance, Emotions/Behavior: Fear, Emotions/Behavior: Hope, Emotions/Behavior: Joy, Emotions/Behavior: Loneliness, Emotions/Behavior: Love, Emotions/Behavior: Memory, Life/Time: Coming of Age, Life/Time: Mortality & Death, Life/Time: The Future, Life/Time: The Past, Natural World: Appearance & Reality, Relationships: Friendship, Relationships: Grandparents, Relationships: Teams, Self Discovery, Society: Community, Society: Economics, Society: Education, Values/Ideas: Art, Values/Ideas: Beauty, Values/Ideas: Fate, Values/Ideas: Good & Evil, Values/Ideas: Justice & Injustice, Values/Ideas: Literature, Values/Ideas: Loyalty & Betrayal, Values/Ideas: Order & Chaos, Values/Ideas: Power & Greed, Values/Ideas: Science & Technology, Values/Ideas: Truth & Lies

Tags Fantasy, Magical Realism, Japanese Literature, Contemporary Literature


Publication year 1987

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Emotions/Behavior: Determination / Perseverance, Emotions/Behavior: Hope, Emotions/Behavior: Loneliness, Emotions/Behavior: Shame & Pride, Life/Time: Childhood & Youth, Natural World: Appearance & Reality, Natural World: Flora/plants, Self Discovery, Society: Community, Society: Education, Values/Ideas: Art, Values/Ideas: Beauty

Tags Children's Literature


Publication year 1974

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Emotions/Behavior: Courage, Emotions/Behavior: Hate & Anger, Identity: Masculinity, Life/Time: Coming of Age, Self Discovery, Society: Education, Values/Ideas: Good & Evil, Values/Ideas: Justice & Injustice, Values/Ideas: Power & Greed

Tags Realistic Fiction, Coming of Age / Bildungsroman, Bullying, Education, Education, Modern Classic Fiction, Classic Fiction

The Chocolate War by Robert Cormier, first published in 1974, is a novel that delves into the dark aspects of adolescence, authority, and conformity. Set in an all-boys Catholic high school called Trinity, the story centers around Jerry Renault, a freshman who defies the school’s two most powerful forces–the secret student group known as the Vigils, and acting Headmaster Brother Leon–by refusing to participate in the annual chocolate sale. Jerry’s act of defiance exposes the... Read The Chocolate War Summary


Publication year 1997

Genre Short Story Collection, Fiction

Themes Relationships: Family, Values/Ideas: Justice & Injustice, Society: Immigration, Emotions/Behavior: Determination / Perseverance, Society: Education, Life/Time: Childhood & Youth

Tags Historical Fiction, Poverty, Immigration / Refugee, Children's Literature, Education, Education, Arts / Culture


Publication year 1940

Genre Short Story, Fiction

Themes Values/Ideas: Religion & Spirituality, Values/Ideas: Art, Society: Education

Tags Fantasy, Allegory / Fable / Parable, History: World, Magical Realism, Philosophy, Philosophy, Classic Fiction

Jorge Luís Borges’s short story “The Circular Ruins” was originally written in 1939 and was first published under the title “Las ruinas circulares” in the Argentinian literary journal Sur in 1940. By the time “The Circular Ruins” was finally translated into English for American audiences in 1962, Borges was on his way to international renown. In 1961, he was awarded the Prix Formentor (an elite international award), and he traveled to the US to become... Read The Circular Ruins Summary


Publication year 2024

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Relationships: Family, Emotions/Behavior: Conflict, Emotions/Behavior: Courage, Emotions/Behavior: Determination / Perseverance, Emotions/Behavior: Forgiveness, Emotions/Behavior: Guilt, Emotions/Behavior: Joy, Emotions/Behavior: Memory, Identity: Femininity, Identity: Indigenous, Identity: Mental Health, Life/Time: Midlife, Life/Time: The Past, Natural World: Place, Relationships: Friendship, Relationships: Mothers, Self Discovery, Society: Colonialism, Society: Community, Society: Education, Society: Nation, Society: Politics & Government, Values/Ideas: Equality, Values/Ideas: Fate, Values/Ideas: Good & Evil, Values/Ideas: Justice & Injustice, Values/Ideas: Loyalty & Betrayal, Values/Ideas: Power & Greed, Values/Ideas: Religion & Spirituality, Values/Ideas: Safety & Danger, Values/Ideas: Trust & Doubt, Values/Ideas: Truth & Lies

Tags Historical Fiction, Mystery / Crime Fiction, Literary Fiction, Gothic Literature, Modern Classic Fiction, History: World


Publication year 2022

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Relationships: Friendship, Values/Ideas: Religion & Spirituality, Values/Ideas: Truth & Lies, Society: Education

Tags Mystery / Crime Fiction, Horror / Thriller / Suspense Fiction, Fantasy, Gothic Literature, Religion / Spirituality, Modern Classic Fiction, Arts / Culture


Publication year 1987

Genre Book, Nonfiction

Themes Society: Education, Values/Ideas: Good & Evil, Society: Community

Tags Philosophy, Education, Education, American Literature, Social Science, Sociology, History: World, Philosophy, Arts / Culture, Politics / Government

The Closing of the American Mind: How Higher Education Has Failed Democracy and Impoverished the Souls of Today’s Students, by Allan Bloom, is a non-fiction book published in 1987. The work is a critique of American culture and higher education and was considered a landmark in the culture wars of the 1980s. It was a surprise bestseller and a New York Times Book Review Notable Book of the Year. This guide refers to the page... Read The Closing of the American Mind Summary


Publication year -423

Genre Play, Fiction

Themes Society: Education, Values/Ideas: Good & Evil, Values/Ideas: Justice & Injustice

Tags Classic Fiction, Play: Drama, Play: Comedy / Satire, Ancient Greece, Philosophy, Religion / Spirituality

Clouds is an Attic Comedy by Aristophanes (circa 450-385 BCE). The play was initially produced at the City Dionysia in 423 BCE, where it placed third in a drama festival. Aristophanes subsequently worked on a revision that he never completed, and it is this incomplete revision that represents the surviving text of the play known today. Clouds centers on the character of Strepsiades and his ill-conceived attempt to learn sophistry, or fallacious arguments, from Socrates... Read The Clouds Summary


Publication year 2023

Genre Essay Collection, Nonfiction

Themes Emotions/Behavior: Grief, Emotions/Behavior: Memory, Life/Time: Aging, Life/Time: Mortality & Death, Life/Time: The Future, Life/Time: The Past, Natural World: Animals, Natural World: Climate, Natural World: Environment, Natural World: Flora/plants, Natural World: Food, Natural World: Nurture v. Nature, Natural World: Objects, Natural World: Place, Relationships: Family, Self Discovery, Society: Community, Society: Education, Society: Globalization, Values/Ideas: Beauty, Values/Ideas: Equality, Values/Ideas: Fate, Values/Ideas: Good & Evil, Values/Ideas: Justice & Injustice, Values/Ideas: Order & Chaos, Values/Ideas: Safety & Danger, Values/Ideas: Truth & Lies

Tags Animals, Science / Nature


Publication year 1990

Genre Book, Nonfiction

Themes Society: Economics, Society: Colonialism, Society: Community, Relationships: Teams, Society: Class, Society: Immigration, Society: Globalization, Values/Ideas: Science & Technology, Society: Education, Values/Ideas: Order & Chaos, Society: Nation, Life/Time: The Future, Society: War, Life/Time: The Past, Values/Ideas: Power & Greed, Values/Ideas: Equality, Society: Politics & Government, Values/Ideas: Win & Lose

Tags Business / Economics, Finance / Money / Wealth, Leadership/Organization/Management, Social Science, History: World, Politics / Government

The Competitive Advantage of Nations is a 1990 work of economics by American author Michael E. Porter, a Harvard Business School professor and expert in corporate competitive strategy whose influential works are frequently cited in business and economics. In this book, Porter dismantles traditional economic theories about how well a nation fares in global competition (factor costs and macro-economic policy) and proposes a model that focuses on active and malleable factors of business rather than... Read The Competitive Advantage Of Nations Summary