Family

Leo Tolstoy famously begins the novel Anna Karenina with the sentence: "All happy families are alike; each unhappy family is unhappy in its own way." In this thematic collection, we have gathered noteworthy texts that navigate the joyous and sorrowful emotional terrain of the family unit.

A Single Shard

by Linda Sue Park

Publication year 2001

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Emotions/Behavior: Courage, Perseverance, Childhood & Youth, Family, Art, Beauty, Fear

Tags Historical Fiction, Children`s Literature, Asian Literature, Realistic Fiction, Arts & Culture, Asian History, Poverty, American Literature, Education, Education, World History

A Single Shard (2001) is an award-winning, middle-grade historical novel by Korean American author Linda Sue Park. Park has written multiple children’s books, picture books, and volumes of poetry. Some of her better-known titles include A Long Walk to Water (2010), The Thirty-Nine Clues series in nine volumes (2010), and Prairie Lotus (2020). Much of her historical fiction is based on Korean history.A Single Shard is intended for readers in grades 5 to 7, though... Read A Single Shard Summary

Ask Again, Yes

by Mary Beth Keane

Publication year 2019

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Family, Forgiveness

Tags Modern Classic Fiction, Romance, Mental Illness

Ask Again, Yes, a New York Times best seller, is a multigeneration family epic that covers over 40 years in the lives of two Irish American families. A work of domestic realism comparable to works by Anne Tyler and Ann Padgett, the novel was placed on best novel of the year lists by both People magazine and National Public Radio, and it was also optioned to be developed as a limited television series.In 2011, author... Read Ask Again, Yes Summary

Ask Me No Questions

by Marina Budhos

Publication year 2006

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Immigration, Family, Perseverance, Nation

Tags Historical Fiction, Education, Education, Realistic Fiction, Modern Classic Fiction, Arts & Culture

Ask Me No Questions by Marina Budhos, published in 2006, is a young adult novel that delves into the complex realities of immigrant life in post-9/11 New York City. The story centers on two teenage sisters from Bangladesh living illegally in the United States during a time of significant immigration policy changes that particularly affect Muslim communities. Author Marina Budhos draws from her personal experiences growing up in a diverse community in Queens, New York... Read Ask Me No Questions Summary

Ask Not

by Maureen Callahan

Publication year 2024

Genre Biography, Nonfiction

Themes Shame & Pride, Femininity, Masculinity, Sexual Identity, Family, Marriage, Social Class, Nation, Politics & Government, Good & Evil, Justice, Loyalty & Betrayal, Power & Greed, Safety & Danger, Trust & Doubt, Truth & Lies, Wins & Losses

Tags World History, Biography, Politics & Government, Gender & Feminism

... Read Ask Not Summary

A Spool of Blue Thread

by Anne Tyler

Publication year 2015

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes The Past, Family

Tags Modern Classic Fiction, Historical Fiction

A Spool of Blue Thread was published in 2015 and is the twentieth novel by American author Anne Tyler. The novel falls under the subgenre of Women’s Fiction. A Spool of Blue Thread received mixed reviews by critics upon publication but fared far better with the general public. After its commercial success, it was shortlisted for the 2015 Man Booker Prize, as well as the Baileys Women’s Prize for Fiction. Other works by Tyler include... Read A Spool of Blue Thread Summary

A Storm of Swords

by George R. R. Martin

Publication year 2000

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Conflict, Emotions/Behavior: Courage, Perseverance, Guilt, Memory, Revenge, Disability, Femininity, Masculinity, Mental Health, Climate, Place, Family, Self Discovery, Social Class, Politics & Government, War, Fate, Justice, Loyalty & Betrayal, Power & Greed, Safety & Danger

Tags Fantasy, Science Fiction, Action & Adventure

... Read A Storm of Swords Summary

A Study in Charlotte

by Brittany Cavallaro

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Conflict, Perseverance, Self Discovery, Family, Truth & Lies, Safety & Danger, Revenge, Justice

Tags Mystery & Crime Fiction, Horror & Suspense, Romance, Addiction & Substance Abuse, Education, Relationships, Technology, Crime & Law, Modern Classic Fiction

... Read A Study in Charlotte Summary

A Tale of Two Cities

by Charles Dickens

Publication year 1859

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Family, Fate

Tags British Literature, Historical Fiction, Victorian Period, Classic Fiction, Education, Education, World History

A Tale of Two Cities, published in 1859, is a historical drama written by Charles Dickens. The backdrop of the novel takes place in London and Paris prior to the French Revolution. The novel, told in three parts, is a literary classic and has been adapted into numerous productions for film, theater, radio, and television.In 1775, a banker named Jarvis Lorry travels to Dover, where he meets a young, half-French woman named Lucie Manette. Together... Read A Tale of Two Cities Summary

A Thousand Acres

by Jane Smiley

Publication year 1991

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Family, Conflict, Revenge, Gender Identity, Appearance & Reality, Power & Greed

Tags Drama, Historical Fiction, American Literature, Modern Classic Fiction, Classic Fiction

A Thousand Acres is a historical fiction novel by the American author Jane Smiley. Taking place on an Iowa farm in the 1970s, the novel is a contemporary retelling of William Shakespeare’s tragedy King Lear. Shakespeare’s play focuses on King Lear as he determines which of his three daughters will inherit his kingdom depending on how much they flatter him. Smiley’s novel reimagines Shakespeare’s tragedy on an Iowa farm in the 1970s as Larry Cook... Read A Thousand Acres Summary

A Thousand Never Evers

by Shana Burg

Publication year 2008

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Emotions/Behavior: Courage, Perseverance, Fear, Hate & Anger, Race, Coming of Age, Daughters & Sons, Family, Community, Education, Politics & Government

Tags Children`s Literature, World History, Historical Fiction, Arts & Culture

... Read A Thousand Never Evers Summary

A Thousand Steps into Night

by Traci Chee

Publication year 2022

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Conflict, Emotions/Behavior: Courage, Perseverance, Fear, Forgiveness, Hate & Anger, Grief, Hope, Love, Regret, Revenge, Shame & Pride, Beauty, Equality, Fate, Good & Evil, Justice, Loyalty & Betrayal, Order & Chaos, Trust & Doubt, Truth & Lies, Power & Greed, Religion & Spirituality, Safety & Danger, Wins & Losses, Appearance & Reality, Space, Animals, Place, Daughters & Sons, Friendship, Fathers, Family, Teamwork, Femininity, Gender Identity, Masculinity, Sexual Identity, Social Class

Tags Fantasy, Action & Adventure, Mythology, Coming of Age, Historical Fiction, Gender & Feminism, Asian Literature, Japanese Literature

... Read A Thousand Steps into Night Summary

Atmosphere

by Taylor Jenkins Reid

Publication year 2025

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Emotions/Behavior: Courage, Perseverance, Fear, Hope, Joy, Love, Gender Identity, Sexual Identity, Midlife, Death, Future, The Past, Appearance & Reality, Space, Family, Friendship, Marriage, Siblings, Teamwork, Self Discovery, Community, Politics & Government, Equality, Fate, Justice, Loyalty & Betrayal, Order & Chaos, Religion & Spirituality, Safety & Danger, Science & Technology, Trust & Doubt, Truth & Lies

Tags Historical Fiction

... Read Atmosphere Summary