School Book List Titles

Browse a Collection of texts frequently assigned in literature classrooms, including well-studied classics and contemporary literature. Representitive of the breadth of the literary tradition, the School Book List Titles Collection features texts for readers of all age levels, from children's literature to plays and novels centered on adult themes.

Publication year 1914

Genre Poem, Fiction

Tags Lyric Poem, Sociology, Arts / Culture, American Literature, Realism, Food


Publication year 1970

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Society: Community, Values/Ideas: Safety & Danger, Natural World: Animals, Emotions/Behavior: Shame & Pride, Values/Ideas: Power & Greed

Tags Animals, Children's Literature, Action / Adventure, Fantasy, Humor, Classic Fiction

Fantastic Mr. Fox (1970) is a children’s novel by British author Roald Dahl. One of Dahl’s most acclaimed and enduring titles, the novel follows an anthropomorphic fox—the titular Mr. Fox—and his animal friends, who live near three cruel farmers. Although the farmers continually attempt to kill the animals, Mr. Fox and his friends are able to outsmart them and steal all the food they want. Fantastic Mr. Fox, like many of Dahl’s works, is a... Read Fantastic Mr Fox Summary


Publication year 2001

Genre Book, Nonfiction

Themes Natural World: Food, Society: Economics, Values/Ideas: Power & Greed, Values/Ideas: Science & Technology

Tags Food, Sociology, Education, Education, Science / Nature, Arts / Culture, History: World, Health / Medicine, Agriculture, Business / Economics, Journalism, Politics / Government, Social Justice

IntroductionFast Food Nation: The Dark Side of the All-American Meal is a 2001 nonfiction book by Eric Schlosser that investigates the business practices of the American fast food industry and the associated agricultural industries that supply it. Following the precedent of Upton Sinclair’s famous 1906 work The Jungle, Schlosser provides readers with a glimpse into the questionable ethics of these large food corporations. Schlosser likewise provides brief historical accounts of fast food’s origins and traces... Read Fast Food Nation Summary


Publication year 2021

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Identity: Race, Life/Time: Coming of Age, Relationships: Family

Tags Realistic Fiction, Coming of Age / Bildungsroman, Sports, Children's Literature, Mystery / Crime Fiction, Modern Classic Fiction


Publication year 2019

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Identity: Mental Health, Identity: Race, Life/Time: Coming of Age, Relationships: Friendship, Society: Immigration

Tags Realistic Fiction, Humor, Romance, Coming of Age / Bildungsroman, Modern Classic Fiction


Publication year 2020

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Identity: Mental Health, Relationships: Family

Tags Realistic Fiction, Trauma / Abuse / Violence, Children's Literature, Modern Classic Fiction, Mental Illness


Publication year 2010

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Emotions/Behavior: Joy, Emotions/Behavior: Regret, Identity: Femininity, Life/Time: Childhood & Youth, Natural World: Appearance & Reality, Natural World: Objects, Relationships: Friendship, Self Discovery, Values/Ideas: Fate

Tags Realistic Fiction, Fantasy, Children's Literature, Humor, Contemporary Literature


Publication year 1939

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Identity: Language, Natural World: Appearance & Reality, Emotions/Behavior: Memory, Emotions/Behavior: Love, Emotions/Behavior: Fear, Emotions/Behavior: Determination / Perseverance, Emotions/Behavior: Nostalgia

Tags History: World, Classic Fiction, Irish Literature, Fairy Tale / Folklore

Finnegans Wake is a 1939 novel by James Joyce. The experimental style of the novel has given Finnegans Wake a reputation for being one of the most challenging texts in the English language. Joyce’s use of idiosyncratic language and phrasing, his structural innovations, and his ambitious themes attempt to explore the boundaries between sleep, dreams, and waking life. Though Finnegans Wake has not been adapted into other media in its totality, its influence and legacy... Read Finnegans Wake Summary


Publication year 1920

Genre Poem, Fiction

Themes Emotions/Behavior: Hate & Anger, Emotions/Behavior: Conflict, Values/Ideas: Order & Chaos, Relationships: Teams, Values/Ideas: Safety & Danger

Tags Lyric Poem, Natural Disaster, Relationships, Climate Change, American Literature, Classic Fiction


Publication year 2006

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Relationships: Friendship

Tags Realistic Fiction, Coming of Age / Bildungsroman, Bullying, Children's Literature, Education, Education, Modern Classic Fiction

Seventh grade loner Tom Bender’s life is changed by his friendship with Jessica, a severely disfigured burn survivor in Tony Abbott’s moving contemporary middle grade novel, Firegirl (2006). Shy and empathetic, Tom gradually overcomes his fear of Jessica and gets to know his new classmate, causing a rift between Tom and his friend, Jeff. While Jeff spreads malicious talk about Jessica, Tom sees past Jessica’s exterior to the person inside. Abbott sensitively explores themes of... Read Firegirl Summary


Publication year 2020

Genre Graphic Novel/Book, Fiction

Themes Life/Time: Coming of Age, Identity: Sexuality

Tags LGBTQ, Realistic Fiction, Coming of Age / Bildungsroman, Relationships


Publication year 2013

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Relationships: Family, Relationships: Friendship

Tags Humor, Children's Literature, Fantasy, Action / Adventure, Animals

Flora and Ulysses: The Illuminated Adventures is a middle-grade magical realism novel written by Kate DiCamillo, illustrated by K. G. Campbell, and originally published in 2013. DiCamillo is a renowned middle-grade author who also wrote Because of Winn-Dixie and The Tale of Despereaux, among other books. Flora and Ulysses was the recipient of the John Newbery Medal for the Most Distinguished Contribution to American Literature for Children in 2014. It was also adapted into a... Read Flora And Ulysses Summary


Publication year 1986

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Relationships: Family, Values/Ideas: Literature, Values/Ideas: Truth & Lies, Identity: Femininity

Tags Gender / Feminism, Historical Fiction, Education, Education, History: World, Classic Fiction

Foe is a 1986 novel by J. M. Coetzee. Foe is a parallel novel, reimagining the story of Daniel Defoe’s 1719 novel Robinson Crusoe from the perspective of a shipwrecked woman named Susan Barton, who then tries to convince a fictionalized version of Defoe to write her story.This guide refers to the 2015 Penguin edition.Content Warning: The source material uses outdated, offensive terms for Black people throughout, which is replicated in this guide only in... Read Foe Summary


Publication year 2015

Genre Poem, Fiction

Themes Values/Ideas: Religion & Spirituality, Natural World: Environment

Tags Lyric Poem, Inspirational, Religion / Spirituality


Publication year 2013

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Life/Time: Childhood & Youth, Relationships: Family, Relationships: Fathers

Tags Fantasy, Humor, Science-Fiction / Dystopian Fiction, Action / Adventure, Children's Literature


Publication year 1940

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Emotions/Behavior: Courage, Emotions/Behavior: Determination / Perseverance, Emotions/Behavior: Fear, Identity: Gender, Identity: Masculinity, Relationships: Marriage, Society: War, Values/Ideas: Loyalty & Betrayal

Tags American Literature, Classic Fiction, Historical Fiction, Military / War, History: World

For Whom the Bell Tolls (1940) is a novel by the Modernist American author Ernest Hemingway. The novel tells the story of Robert Jordan, an American volunteer working as a demolition specialist for the Republican army during the Spanish Civil War. Robert, sent to blow up a bridge to aid a Republican offensive, enlists the aid of a band of guerrilla fighters in the mountains. Robert falls in love with a woman in their care... Read For Whom the Bell Tolls Summary


Publication year 1993

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Relationships: Friendship

Tags Realistic Fiction, Bullying, Disability, Children's Literature, Education, Education, Modern Classic Fiction, Classic Fiction

Freak the Mighty tells the story of two boys—a slow-learning giant and a genius in a disabled body—who become friends, share adventures, and defend themselves against bullies and social rejection. Published in 1993, Freak the Mighty sold two million copies in nine languages, received multiple awards, and was made into a Golden Globe-nominated film, The Mighty, starring Sharon Stone, Kieran Culkin, Gillian Anderson, and Harry Dean Stanton. Max’s adventures continue in a sequel called Max... Read Freak the Mighty Summary


Publication year 1978

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Values/Ideas: Truth & Lies, Society: Community

Tags Realistic Fiction, Humor, Children's Literature, Education, Education, Classic Fiction


Publication year 2019

Genre Autobiography / Memoir, Nonfiction

Themes Relationships: Family, Relationships: Mothers, Emotions/Behavior: Shame & Pride, Emotions/Behavior: Hope, Emotions/Behavior: Gratitude, Emotions/Behavior: Hate & Anger

Tags Realistic Fiction, Poverty, Trauma / Abuse / Violence, Children's Literature, Biography


Publication year 1986

Genre Poem, Fiction

Themes Natural World: Environment, Emotions/Behavior: Love, Emotions/Behavior: Nostalgia, Relationships: Family, Emotions/Behavior: Determination / Perseverance

Tags Lyric Poem, American Literature, Food