Which books would you teach as an English teacher?

*The Book of the Thousand Nights and One Night*

It shows up **everywhere** and also opens some interesting doors into things like translation

My first thought was The Alchemist! It was a beautiful read and demonstrates endless examples of metaphors and symbolism.

You’re an English teacher, and started the sentence by using the word me as the subject?

I’m becoming an English teacher (Canada; I’m going into my last year in the fall) so I like to think about this question a lot.

I’ll be teaching anywhere from grades 7-12, but I think the main book I would love to teach is The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins for any grade. I’m 24 and grew up with this series. I don’t think there is any grade between 7-12 where the discussions surrounding this book that wouldn’t be amazing. It’s an old enough series that not all kids have read/seen the movies, but it’s new enough that it’s also pop culture. I have not heard any teachers in Canada teach this series (there probably is but not in my area/who I talk to).

Some other ideas:
– Seven Devils by LR Lam and Elizabeth May (space opera). This would be for grade 11 or 12, and the book dives into an Empire that focuses heavily on imperialism and capitalism. It also has an AI system that can control people who have an implant (which is most citizens of the Empire)
– A Girl Names Echo series by katherena vermette. It’s a graphic novel series perfect for grades 7-9, and can be easily taught alongside a social studies teacher. It’s a fictional story about Echo, a Métis girl, who wants to learn about who the Métis are and where her ancestors came from. She is able to time travel and meet her actual ancestors (who are also real people). It’s a blend between fiction and real history, but it’s done so in a way that is fun for the reader
– some authors that would be great for books by people who are from Canada: Xiran Jay Zhao, Michelle Good, Cherie Dimaline, Wab Kinew

“The Catcher in the Rye,” by J.D. Salinger – It’s very relatable to a lot of teenagers.

“A Wizard of Earthsea,” by Ursula K. Le Guin – It’s a fun fantasy, with good morals and a relatable protagonist.

“The Greatest Gift,” by Philip Van Doren Stern – It has a great message.

“Spirits Rebellious,” by Kahlil Gibran – The first two stories deal with good messages about understanding others, and anyone who loves rebellion (which many teenagers do) will love the third story.

“To Kill a Mockingbird,” by Harper Lee – Has great messages about civil rights and justice.

“Fall Down 7 Times Get Up 8,” by Naoki Higashida, and, “I Raise My Eyes to Say Yes,” by Ruth Sienkiewicz-Mercer – They are good books that also spread disability awareness.

Slaughterhouse Five

In my last lit class, I taught The Bluest Eye and Frankenstein.