COLLEGE BOARD’S 101 GREAT BOOKS FOR COLLEGE-BOUND STUDENTS

THIS LIST HAS BEEN MODIFIED TO INCLUDE LISTED AUTHORS’ ADDITIONAL

WORKS.

NOTE: SOME TITLES MAY CONTAIN MATURE THEMES. PLEASE DISCUSS YOUR CHOICE WITH YOUR PARENTS,

TEACHERS, OR LIBRARIAN TO FIND AN APPROPRIATE CHOICE.

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101+ Great Books

BEOWULF, THE ULTIMATE HERO, FIGHTS THE EVIL , “BORN IN SLIME” MONSTER

SEEKING TO AVENGE HIS MONSTER MOTHER’S DEATH

(WRITTEN IN VERSE)

AdventureBeowulf

OKONKWO , LOCAL NIGERIAN WRESTLING CHAMPION, MARRIED TO THREE WIVES,

SHARES THE IMPACT OF CHRISTIAN MISSIONARIES ON HIS COMMUNITY.

DramaThings Fall Apart

WHY CAN’T WE JUST BE FRIENDS?

OPPRESSED, A GROUP OF RABBITS STRUGGLE TO LIVE IN PEACE

AdventureWatership Down

A SUDDEN DEATH DESTROYS A FAMILY EMOTIONAL AND POIGNANT

GRAB YOUR TISSUES

DramaA Death in the Family

MAYA ANGELOU’S AUTOBIOGRAPHICAL NOVEL ABOUT HER EARLY YEARS. SHE

GROWS FROM BEING A VICTIM OF RACISM AND VIOLENCE TO STRONG,

INDEPENDENT WOMAN.

DramaI Know Why The Caged Bird Sings

SINGLE, NOT LOOKING FOR LOVE, EMMA TRIES TO BE THE MATCHMAKER FOR ALL

HER FRIENDS… UNTIL SHE IS DRAWN INTO THE WORLD OF ROMANCE.

RomanceEmma

IT WA S N O T LOVE AT F IR S T S IGHT, BU T W ILL STR O N G -W ILLED ELISA BETH A ND THE

W EALTHY M R . DA R C Y OVER C O M E THEIR PR IDE AN D BE A C O U PLE?

(ME AN W HILE M OM A R R AN GE D O THER EC O N O MI C ALLY A DVAN TAGE O U S M AR R IA GES

FO R THE OTHER DA UGHTER S.

RomancePride and Prejudice

CAN SISTERS EVER GET ALONG?WHEN ONE IS THE PRACTICAL SISTER

AND ONE IS THE EMOTIONAL SISTER…. THE TWO ARE BOUND TO ARGUE

FamilySense and Sensibility

EARTHLINGS HAVE ESCAPED A DYING EARTH TO COME TO MARS TO CONQUER

SPACE AND COLONIZE THE PLANET. L IFE ON MARS IS NOT LIKE IT USED TO BE…

Adventure… Sci-Fi StyleThe Martian Chronicles

A SHY GOVERNESS FINDS HERSELF FALLING IN LOVE WITH HER MYSTERIOUS

EMPLOYER EDWARD

RomanceJane Eyre

FLASHBACK AND FOLLOW THE UPS AND DOWNS OF THE TEMPESTUOUS LOVE AFFAIR BETWEEN HEATHCLIFF AND

CATHERINE

RomanceWuthering Heights

SET IN CHINA, A PEASANT OVERCOMES NATURE’S WRATH TO BECOME A

SUCCESSFUL LANDOWNER

Historical DramaThe Good Earth

WRONG PLACE, WRONG TIMEA MAN IS CAUGHT UP IN A MURDER IN

ANOTHER COUNTRY

Suspense DramaThe Stranger

A MISSIONARY PRIEST TRAVELS TO THE NEW MEXICO TERRITORY TO WORK WITH

THE CATHOLIC BELIEVERS OF THAT REGION.

Historical & EnlighteningDeath Comes for the Archbishop

ALEXANDRIA ENCOURAGES THE FAMILY MEMBERS TO KEEP HER FATHER’S DREAM

ALIVE. AS HIS DYING WISH, HE ENTRUSTS HER WITH THEIR FARM IN NEBRASKA. (SET IN THE 1890 ’S)

Family DramaO Pioneers

ARE WE THERE YET? TRAVELERS ON A TRIP TO CANTERBURY

ENTERTAIN EACH OTHER BY TELLING STORIES… SOME FUNNY, SOME WITH A

LESSON…

Entertaining The Canterbury Tales

THE MURDER OF A COWBOY LEADS TO VIGILANTES FORMING A POSSE TO HUNT

DOWN THE KILLERWORTH NOTING… IT INCLUDES A

LYNCHING

Western AdventureThe Ox-Bow Incident

ADVENTURER MARLOWE TRAVELS THE CONGO. HE IS GREETED BY SAVAGES AND

CANNIBALISM AS HE IS LOOKING FOR A KURTZ, A COMPANY AGENT, WHO HAS

GONE INSANE

AdventureHeart of Darkness

J IM, ALONG WITH FELLOW BRITISH CREW MEMBERS AND THE CAPTAIN, ABANDON A

SINKING SHIP AND ITS PASSENGERS. THE PASSENGERS SURVIVE AND J IM IS LABELED A COWARD. HE WORKS TO OUTRUN AND TO OVERCOME HIS PAST.

AdventureLord Jim

NATTY BUMPPO IS A YOUNG FRONTIERSMAN IN NEW YORK CIRCA

1740 ’S. HE HAS DANGEROUS SKIRMISHES WITH THE HURON TRIBE.

Historical AdventureThe Deerslayer

1 7 5 7 … F R EN C H A N D I N D I A N WA RA MA N A G R EE S T O A C C O MPA N Y T W O S IS T E R S T H R O U G H T H E D A N GE R O U S, H O S T I L E I N D I A N

T ER R I T O RY

T R I VI A : H AW K EY E F R O M M* A * S * H * WA S N A M ED A F T E R T H E MA I N C H A R A C T ER

AdventureThe Last of the Mohicans

A YOUNG SOLDIER EXPERIENCES THE CONFUSION AND HORROR OF A CIVIL WAR

BATTLEFIELD

WarRed Badge of Courage

( INSERT LATIN ACCENT HERE)OH, YES, ADVENTURES OF THE

LEGENDARY, CHIVALROUS, BRAVE KNIGHT… DON QUIXOTE…

16 T H CENTURY SPAIN

Historical AdventureDon Quixote

THE ORIGINAL SURVIVOR CASTAWAY

AN ENGLISHMAN IS THE SOLE SURVIVOR OF A SHIPWRECK. THIS IS HIS STORY OF

HIS ADVENTURES TRYING TO SURVIVE FOR ALMOST 30 YEARS ON A DESERTED

ISLAND.

C U LT U R A L N O T E : T H E P H R A S E “M Y M A N F R I D AY ” A L LU D E S T O T H I S N OV E L

AdventureRobinson Crusoe

WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOUR MOTHER DIES AND YOUR STEPFATHER KICKS YOU OUT? READ TO FIND OUT HOW DAVID, HOPING TO SURVIVE AND EVENTUALLY

FIND HAPPINESS, STRUGGLED THROUGH SCHOOL AND LIFE IN LONDON

DramaDavid Copperfield

A BRITISH MYSTERY WITH AN AMAZING CAST:

PIP, THE ORPHANMAGWITCH, THE CONVICTESTELLA, THE BEAUTIFUL

MISS HAVISHAM, THE SPITEFUL AND BEAUTIFULMR. JAGGERS, THE AMBITIOUS LAWYER

MysteryGreat Expectations

AGAIN… A YOUNG KIND -HEARTED ORPHAN… TRAINED FOR A LIFE OF CRIME

IN ORDER TO SURVIVE THE DESPERATE POVERTY… TRIES TO ESCAPE THAT LIFE. REMINDS ONE OF A HARSHER, DARKER,

DEPRESSING ANNIE

DramaOliver Twist

SET DURING THE FRENCH REVOLUTION, NUMEROUS PLOT TWISTS & SECRETS

SURROUND CHARLES DARNEY, A FRENCH ARISTOCRAT, AS HE FIGHTS FOR HIS LIFE

AND LOVE DURING VIOLENT FRENCH REVOLUTION.

SuspenseA Tale of Two Cities

A MONEYLENDER (LOAN SHARK?) AND HER SISTER ARE MURDERED!

AN INVESTIGATION ENSUES, AND A PROSTITUTE WITH A HEART OF GOLD

CONVINCES THE MURDERER TO CONFESS

DramaCrime and Punishment

RECOUNTS DOUGLASS’ L IFE AS A SLAVE AND HIS AMBITION TO BECOME A FREE

MAN

DramaNarrative of the

Life of Frederick Douglass

SIR HENRY BASKERVILLE HAS BEEN WARNED. IF HE MOVES INTO THE CURSED

FAMILY HOME THAT HE INHERITED, HE WILL DIE… CAN SHERLOCK HOLMES HELP

HIM?

MysteryHound of the Baskervilles

CLYDE GRIFFITHS ’ RUN IN WITH THE LAW IN KANSAS CITY CAUSES HIM TO FLE E TO NEW YORK. HE REESTABLISHES HIS L IFE , BUT BECOMES TANGLED IN LOVE AFFAIRS WITH TWO WOMEN. CLYDE REALIZES THAT ONE

OF HIS LOVES MUST HAVE AN “UNFORTUNATE ACCIDENT.”

DramaAn American Tragedy

SET IN FRANCE & ITALY DURING THE EARLY 1800 ’S, EDMUND WANTS

REVENGE…REVENGE FOR HIS UNJUST PUNISHMENT

OF FOURTEEN YEARS IN PRISON

AdventureCount of Monte Cristo

17 T H CENTURY FRANCEA TALE OF SWASHBUCKLING

FOUR MEN TRY TO OUTWIT THE ENEMIES OF THE KING AND QUEEN

(BUT I THOUGHT IT WAS THE THREE MUSKETEERS?)

AdventureThe Three Musketeers

AS THE FAMILY ATTEMPTS TO CARRY OUT ADDIE’S DYING WISH, THEY EXPERIENCE

SETBACK AFTER TRAGIC SETBACK, INCLUDING A FIRE, A WASHED -OUT

BRIDGE, A SEDUCTION, BROKEN LIMBS… (NOT IN THAT ORDER )

FamilyAs I Lay Dying

FOUR NARRATORS SHARE DIFFERENT EPISODES, SHOWING THE DECLINE OF THE ONCE -NOBLE

COMPTON FAMILY:BENJY: THE 33-YEAR-OLD MENTALLY RETARDED

MANQUENTIN: THE STUDENT WHO COMMITS SUICIDE

JASON: THE BITTER, CYNICAL BROTHERDILSEY: THE FAMILY ’S BLACK SERVANT

Psychological FictionThe Sound and the Fury

STA R - CR OSSED L OV ER S?TO M , A N A B A N DON ED C HIL D, IS DISC OV ER ED A N D R A ISED BY A W EA LTHY L A N DOW N ER. A S

A YO UTH , HE FA L LS IN LOV E , B U T W ITH A G IRL OU T OF HIS SO C IA L CL A SS. T HE ST ORY F OL LO WS T OM A S HE TRAV EL S A R OU ND TH E

C OU NT RY.

ComicThe History of Tom Jones,

a Foundling

A LIFETIME NETWORK MOVIE MOMENT….YOUNG JOHNNY GUNTHER HAS A

CANCEROUS BRAIN TUMOR. THIS IS THE STORY OF HIS STRUGGLE.

FamilyDeath be not proud

“ WH AT H AP PEN S T O A DREAM DEFER RED?DOES I T DRY UP

LI KE A RAI S I N I N TH E SUN? ” - - L A N G S T O N H U G H E S

I N T H I S PL AY, T H E YO UN GER FAM I LY DREAM S OF LEAVI N G TH EI R CRAM PED C H IC AGO

APARTM ENT T O M OVE T O A BETTER NEI GH B OR H OOD

DramaA Raisin in the Sun

LIKE ANY HEROINE OF A MODERN SOAP OPERA, BATHSHEBA HAS THE BEAUTY AND

PRIDE TO TOY WITH THREE MEN’S AFFECTIONS: SHEPHERD GABRIEL , PROSPEROUS FARMER WILLIAM, AND

SERGEANT FRANK.

Romantic ComedyFar from the Madding

Crowd

TESS ’S FATE WAS DECIDED THE MOMENT SHE MET ALEC D ’URBERVILLE . HE TOOK HER

INNOCENCE AND CHANGED IN L IFE . AS SHE ATTEMPTS TO MOVE ON, HE CONTINUALLY

WEAVES IN AND OUT OF HER L IFE , CAUSING HEARTA CHE UNTIL SHE F INA LLY RESOLVES

THE PROBLEM… PERMANENTLY.

DramaTess of the D’urbervilles

HEPZIBAH OPENS A SMALL SHOP IN THE GLOOMY FAMILY MANSION TO HELP

SUPPORT HER BROTHER JUST RELEASED FROM PRISON AFTER SERVING 30 YEARS

FOR MURDER. A MYSTERY UNFOLDS ABOUT THE HOUSE

(FILLED WITH A HISTORY OF WITCHCRAFT AND FRAUD) .

MysteryHouse of the Seven

Gables

YOSSARIAN AND HIS FRIENDS IN THE U.S. ARMY FIGHTING SQUADRON 256 ARE

TIRED OF FLYING MISSIONS DURING WWII . DESPERATE TO STOP, YOSSARIAN

EMPLOYS A NUMBER OF SCHEMES TO AVOID COMBAT FLIGHTS.

War & Social CommentaryCatch 22

LNT. HENRY, AN AMERICAN AMBULANCE DRIVER DURING WWI, EXPERIENCES

BATTLES, INJURY, TREACHERY, LOVE, AND DEFEAT ON THE ITALIAN FRONT

War and RomanceA Farewell to Arms

SPANISH CIVIL WARROBERT JORDAN IS AN EXPLOSIVES

EXPERT SENT TO BLOW UP A BRIDGE. HE AND THE OTHER GUERRILLAS FACE

DEATH.

WarFor Whom the Bell Tolls

1920 ’SEXPATRIATE AMERICAN JAKE BARNS

ATTEMPTS TO FULFILL HIS LIFE WITH DISTRACTING BEHAVIOR:HARD WORK,

DRINKING, AND BULLFIGHTING IN EUROPE

AdventureThe Sun Also Rises

HERRIOT SHARES FUNNY ANECDOTES AND SAD MEMORIES FROM HIS LIFE AS A

COUNTRY VETERINARIAN.

AnimalsAll Creatures Great and

Small

AFTER A PLANE CRASH, THE SURVIVORS STUMBLE UPON A UTOPIA, SHANGRI-LA,

WHERE LIFE IS ETERNAL AND EVERYTHING IS PERFECT .

Fantasy AdventureLost Horizon

WHILE HEROES ENGAGE IN BATTLE, GODS AND GODDESSES INTERFERE TO HELP AND

HURT. . WHY? BECAUSE OF THE MOST BEAUTIFUL WOMAN IN THE WORLD…

HELEN OF TROY… (THE FACE THAT LAUNCHED A THOUSAND SHIPS)

(WRITTEN IN VERSE)

Mythological AdventureThe Iliad

ODYSSEUS, THE ULTIMATE LADIES’ MAN AND ULTIMATE HERO, TRAVELS ON A TEN-

YEAR JOURNEY TO GET BACK HOME. HE ANGERS GODS AND MEETS FANTASTIC

CREATURES ALONG THE WAY(WRITTEN IN VERSE)

Mythological AdventureThe Odyssey

MEDIEVAL PARIS, THE DISFIGURED QUASIMODO, THE

LONELY BELL RINGER, SAVES THE GYPSY DANCER, ESMERALDA FROM EXECUTION

Romance & AdventureHunchback of Notre Dame

VALJEAN, WAS SENTENCED TO PRISON FOR 19 YEARS FOR STEALING BREAD. NOW OUT, BUT OFF PAROLE , THE EX-CONVICT, F IGHTS

AGAINST THE ODDS (AND THE CRAZED POLICE INSPECTOR WHO WANTS TO

RECAPTURE HIM) TO RISE FROM SLAVE TO MAYOR.

Adventure Les Miserables

NOT ONLY DOES THE NEW GOVERNESS NEED TO DEAL WITH TWO YOUNG

CHILDREN, BUT ALSO WITH THE GHOSTS OF TWO EVIL SERVANTS WHO DISTURB A

REMOTE COUNTRY ESTATE

SuspenseThe Turn of the Screw

NAVAJO INDIANS, LAUGHING BOY AND SLIM GIRL, FALL IN LOVE, MARRY, AND

TRY TO LIVE HAPPILY EVER AFTER. WHAT LAUGHING BOY DOESN’ T KNOW IS

THE SECRET LIFE SLIM GIRL LIVES.

Adventure & LoveLaughing Boy

SENIOR DEMON SCREWTAPE WRITES LETTERS TO YOUNGER DEMON

WORMWOOD DESCRIBING HOW TO TEMPT AND PROMOTE SIN AMONG MAN.

FROM THE DEMON’S POINT OF VIEW…

SatireThe Screw-tape letters

BABBITT LIVES A LIFE OF CONFORMITY. TAKES AN ALMOST COMICAL LOOK AT THE

DAY-TO -DAY GRIND AND THE UNHAPPINESS BEHIND IT.

Social CommentaryBabbitt

CAROL, A CITY GAL, MARRIES DOCTOR WILL , A COUNTRY BOY, AND MOVES TO GOPHER PRAIRIE. DISCONTENT WITH

SMALL TOWN LIFE, CAROL TRIES TO CHANGE THINGS. IS THE GRASS

GREENER IN THE CITY?

Social CommentaryMain Street

AFTER AN ACCIDENT AT SEA, HUMPHREY VAN WEYDEN IS “RESCUED” BY A CRUEL,

BRUTAL SEA CAPTAIN WOLF LARSEN. WOLF TERRORIZES HIS CREW.

AdventureSea Wolf

KLONDIKE GOLD RUSH… A WILD WOLF DOG BECOMES ADVENTURES IN THE

YUKON TERRITORY

Animal AdventureWhite Fang

A DOMESTICATED DOG LEARNS TO SURVIVE IN THE BRUTAL CONDITIONS OF

THE YUKON TERRITORY DURING THE KLONDIKE GOLD RUSH.

Animal AdventureCall of the Wild

A YOUNG ENGLISHWOMAN IS SWEPT OFF HER FEET BY THE HANDSOME, CHARMING MAX DE WINTER. BUT CAN SHE COMPETE WITH THE MEMORY OF THE HIS PERFECT

LATE WIFE, REBECCA? AND WAS HER DEATH AN ACCIDENT?

Romance & SuspenseRebecca

BILLY JEFFS IS AN ORPHAN SET TO WORK ON THE HMS BELLIPOTENT . NOT

EVERYONE TAKES A LIKING TO THE INNOCENT BILLY, AND A FALSE CHARGE AGAINST HIM BEGINS A TRAGIC SERIES

OF EVENTS FOR BILLY.

AdventureBilly Budd

WHO DOESN’T KNOW THIS STORY OF ONE MAN’S INSATIABLE QUEST TO KILL THE

GREAT WHALE?

AdventureMoby Dick

DEATH OF THE AMERICAN DREAM… WILLY LOMAN IS THE CLASSIC TRAGIC

HERO… A SALESMAN TRYING TO GET AHEAD, BUT FOR WHOM NOTHING CAN

SEEM TO GO RIGHT.

DramaDeath of a Salesman

FOLLOWS THE STORY OF SETHE AND HER DAUGHTER AFTER ESCAPING THEY FROM

SLAVERY. AS THEY STRUGGLE WITH MEMORIES AND DAILY LIFE, THEY ARE

CONFRONTED WITH THEIR VIOLENT MEMORIES.

Historical DramaBeloved

A BRITISH CREWMEMBER TELLS THE STORY OF MUTINY AGAINST THE CRUEL COMMANDER OF THE ROYAL NAVY SHIP,

THE BOUNTY

AdventureMutiny on the Bounty

THE LEAGUE OF SCARLET PIMPERNEL IS A SECRET SOCIETY WHO ATTEMPT TO SAVE FRENCH ARISTOCRATS FROM EXECUTION.

A TALE OF MYSTERY, DANGER, AND SECRET IDENTITIES SET DURING THE

REIGN OF TERROR OF THE FRENCH REVOLUTION.

Adventure & Suspense Scarlet Pimpernel

BIG BROTHER IS WATCHING. WRITTEN IN 1949, THIS WAS A GRIM LOOK AT WHAT THE WORLD WOULD BE LIKE IN

1984.

Drama/ Social commentary1984

YURI ZHIVAGO IS A RUSSIAN DOCTOR (AND POET) IN LOVE WITH TWO WOMEN DURING THE REVOLUTION OF 1917 AND

THE RUSSIAN CIVIL WAR.

Romance & DramaDoctor Zhivago

STEPHEN KUMALO, AN PRIEST SEARCHES FOR HIS SON AND HIS SISTER. WHAT HE LEARNS ABOUT THEM DURING HIS QUEST

IS DISTURBING.

Adventure & FamilyCry the Beloved Country

FROM THE GLAMOUR OF MANHATTAN TO THE DREARY INSANE ASYLUM, FOLLOW A

WOMAN’S EMOTIONAL BREAKDOWN

Psychological DramaThe Bell Jar

FOLLOWS THE UNLIKELY FRIENDSHIP OF TWO JEWISH BOYS FROM BROOKLYN IN

THE 1940’S.

Family DramaThe Chosen

EXPERIENCE JODY BAXTER'S PATH FROM CHILDHOOD TO MATURITY, A HEART

WRENCHING ADVENTURE SET IN THE ANIMAL-FILLED FLORIDA BACKWOODS.

IF CRIED AT BAMBI , THIS ONE’S FOR YOU.

Animal & FamilyThe Yearling

FIRST PERSON NARRATOR DESCRIBES THE HARSH, BRUTAL CONDITIONS OF LIFE ON

THE FRONT DURING WORLD WAR I

WarAll Quiet on the Western

Front

ART, LOVE, AND CRITICS…HOWARD ROARK, COMPETES WITH RIVAL

ARCHITECT, PETER KEATING. THE STRENGTH OF THE INDIVIDUAL IS TESTED AS ROARK STRUGGLES TO MAINTAIN HIS

WORK PHILOSOPHY.

DramaThe Fountainhead

AN IMMIGRANT FAMILY STRUGGLES TO MAKE A LIVELIHOOD FROM FARMING IN LATE 1880 ’S ON THE AMERICAN PLAINS.

Drama Giants in the Earth

17 T H CENTURY FRENCH SWORDSMAN WANTS TO DATE THE MOST BEAUTIFUL

GIRL . BUT WILL HIS UNSIGHTLY, LONG NOSE STAND IN THE WAY?

Romantic ComedyCyrano de Bergerac

IVANHOE, A KNIGHT, RETURNS FROM FIGHTING IN THE CRUSADES TO FIND

ENGLAND IN CHAOS. ENEMIES RULE AND HE MUST FIGHT FOR LOVE AND HONOR.

(SETTING: 1166)

AdventureIvanhoe

SOMEONE KILLED HAMLET’S DAD. THE GHOST TELLS HAMLET THAT IT WAS HIS

UNCLE… WHO IS NOW MARRIED TO HAMLET’S MOTHER. SHOULD HE AVENGE

HIS FATHER’S DEATH? CAN HE TRUST HIS MOM?

Suspense DramaHamlet

THREE WITCHES GIVE A SURPRISING PROPHECY TO MACBETH. AS THE

PREDICTIONS BEGIN TO COME TRUE, SHOULD MACBETH MURDER THE KING TO

HELP FULFILL THEM?

Drama & WarMacbeth

SMUG HENRY HIGGINS ATTEMPTS TO TRANSFORM A SIMPLE FLOWER GIRL INTO

A “LADY” IN THIS PLAY.

Romantic ComedyPygmalion

THIS NOVEL FOLLOWS THE EGOTISTICAL DRIVE OF DR. VICTOR FRANKENSTEIN IN

HIS DESIRE TO CREATE LIFE FROM DEATH. HIS CREATURE IS AN

UNFORTUNATE RESULT.

SuspenseFrankenstein

AMERICAN CLASSIC. WRITTEN DURING THE INDUSTRIAL REVOLUTION, THIS

NOVEL EXPOSED THE UNDERBELLY OF THE MEAT-PACKING INDUSTRY… THE

DEPLORABLE CONDITIONS OF THE SLAVE LABOR.

Social CommentaryThe Jungle

FRANCIE NOLAN IS GROWING UP POOR IN BROOKLYN. SHE STRUGGLES TO BETTER

HER LIFE.

Family DramaA Tree Grows in Brooklyn

IVAN WAS IMPRISONED FOR EIGHT YEARS IN A SOVIET LABOR CAMP. HE

DESCRIBES IN DETAIL , ONE DAY OF THESE DEHUMANIZING CONDITIONS.

A Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich

STRUGGLING TO SURVIVE, A FAMILY OF MIGRANT WORKERS IS DRIVEN FROM

THEIR FARM AND FACE HUNGER, HUMILIATION, AND SQUALOR AS THEY

TRAVEL TO CALIFORNIA IN HOPE OF FINDING WORK DURING THE 1930’S.

Family The Grapes of Wrath

DR. JEKYLL , A KINDLY SCIENTIST, IS TRAGICALLY CHANGED AS A RESULT OF A

SCIENTIFIC EXPERIMENT, AND HE ADOPTS HIS ALTER EVIL EGO BY NIGHT.

SuspenseDr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde

AN INNKEEPER AND HER SON FIND A TREASURE MAP. THEY FOLLOW IT TO

FIND TREASURE AND DANGER.SPECIAL GUEST APPEARANCE: LONG

JOHN SILVER

AdventureTreasure Island

UNCLE TOM, A SLAVE, SERVES AS A DYNAMIC HERO CONFRONTED BY THE

CRUEL WORLD OF SLAVERY.

Historical DramaUncle Tom’s Cabin

IN THIS FICTIONAL ACCOUNT, NAT TURNER CONFESSES HIS ROLE IN A SLAVE REVOLT IN VIRGINIA IN 1831 .

DramaConfessions of Nat Turner

GULLIVER IS LOST AT SEA AND HAPPENS UPON STRANGE LANDS OF TINY PEOPLE,

GIANTS, AND TALKING HORSES. ALTHOUGH SOME HAVE CAPITALIZED ON

THIS AS A CHILDREN’S STORY, SWIFT MEANT IT AS A SOCIAL COMMENTARY.

AdventureGulliver’s Travels

THE SUBTITLE OF VANITY FAIR IS “A NOVEL WITHOUT A HERO” REFERRING TO

THE STORY’S ANTI-HEROES, SUCH AS SMART AND MANIPULATIVE BECKY

SHARP’S SCHEMING PLANS TO ADVANCE THROUGH LIFE.

Drama & Social CommentaryVanity Fair

THOREAU LIVED AT WALDEN POND FOR OVER TWO YEARS IN ATTEMPT TO LIVE

SIMPLY AND BECOME MORE SELF-RELIANT.

Philosophical AdventureWalden

A YOUNG WOMAN IS DESTROYED WHEN SHE ATTEMPTS TO LIVE OUTSIDE THE

MORAL LAW OF HER SOCIETY.

DramaAnna Karenina

THREE CHARACTERS WITH DIVERSE BACKGROUNDS DEPICT THEIR

STRUGGLES DURING THE EVENTS IN RUSSIA DURING NAPOLEONIC WAR IN THE

EARLY 1800 ’S.

DramaWar and Peace

SUFFERING FROM A HEAD INJURY, HANK MORGAN IS MAGICALLY TRANSPORTED

BACK TO KING ARTHUR'S CAMELOT

AdventureConnecticut Yankee in King Arthur’s

Court

WILSON IS A MISUNDERSTOOD AND UNDERESTIMATED LAWYER WHO

ULTIMATELY MANAGES TO CLEAR UP SEVERAL MISTAKEN IDENTITIES.

DramaPudd’nhead Wilson

PROFESSOR HARDWIG AND HIS TEAM INVESTIGATE A VOLCANIC CRATER IN

ICELAND. IT LEADS TO THE CENTER OF THE EARTH AND THE INCREDIBLE AND

HORRIFYING DISCOVERIES FOUND THERE.

AdventureJourney to the Center of the Earth

FRENCH PROFESSOR AND HIS COMPANIONS ARE PRISONERS ON A

SUBMARINE PILOTED BY CRAZY CAPTAIN NEMO. THEY TRAVEL ABOVE AND BELOW

THE SEA ON A DERANGED ADVENTURE.

Adventure20, 000 Leagues Under the

Sea

BILLY PILGRIM SURVIVES A FIRE -BOMBING DURING WWII . SCENES FROM

WWII AND BILLY’S TIME TRAVELS TO THE PLANET TRALFAMADORE INTERTWINE AS BILLY JUMPS FROM PAST TO PRESENT TO

FUTURE.

War AdventureSlaughter-House Five

THE LIVES OF TWO SISTERS ARE REVEALED IN LETTERS EXCHANGED OVER THIRTY YEARS. SET IN RURAL GEORGIA, THEIR CORRESPONDENCE REVEALS THE LOW SOCIAL POSITION THAT SOUTHERN

BLACK WOMEN HELD IN THE 30 ’S.

DramaThe Color Purple

JACK BURDEN, A YOUNG JOURNALIST, BECOMES INVOLVED IN WILLIE STARK’S

QUEST FOR POLITICAL POWER AS A GOVERNOR OF A SOUTHERN STATE.

Political DramaAll the King’s Men

A SCIENCE FICTION ADVENTURE ABOUT A SCIENTIST WHO INVENTS A TIME TRAVEL

MACHINE

Adventure… Sci-fi StyleThe Time Machine

LA R GE , TEN TA C L ED M A RTIA N S IN VA DE ENG LA ND IN T HIS SCIEN C E F IC T ION

A DV EN T UR EC ULTU RA L N OT E : P RO B A B LY B EST- K NO WN F OR THE R A DIO P R OGR A M O RSO N WEL LES PER FO R M ED IN 19 39 . M A N Y A M ER IC A NS

B ELIEV ED TH IS WA S T RU LY H A P PEN ING

Adventure… Sci-fi StyleThe War of the Worlds

NEWLAND ARCHER IS ENGAGED TO BE MARRIED AND MADLY IN LOVED… BUT

NOT WITH HIS FIANCÉE. HE STICKS TO THE SOCIAL CODE AND THUS, CANNOT BE

WITH THE WOMAN HE WANTS.

RomanceAge of Innocence

A NEW ENGLAND FARMER FALLS FOR HIS WIFE’S COUSIN. IS IT EVER A HAPPY

ENDING?

DramaEthan Frome

IN ANOTHER TAKE ON THE KING ARTHUR TALE,

FOLLOW WART, WHO WILL EVENTUALLY BECOME KING ARTHUR, AS HE GROWS UP

TO BE THE NEXT RIGHTFUL KING OF ENGLAND.

AdventureThe Once and Future King

DEFIES DESCRIPTION

The Picture of Dorian Gray

SEVERAL PEOPLE DIE IN THE COLLAPSE OF SUSPENSION BRIDGE IN PERU IN 1714 .

A WITNESS, A FRANCISCAN MONK, INVESTIGATES THE LIVES OF THE

VICTIMS AND EXAMINES WHY GOD WOULD ALLOW SUCH A TRAGEDY.

DramaBridge of San Luis Rey

WILKERSON SPENT HIS FIRST FIVE YEARS IN NEW YORK MINISTERING TO GANG

YOUTH. HE ENCOURAGED THEM TO TURN AWAY FROM THIS WAY OF LIFE.

DramaCross and the Switchblade

WITHOUT TELLING THE WHOLE TRUTH, BLANCHE DUBOIS MOVES IN WITH HER SISTER STELLA AND BROTHER-IN-LAW

STANLEY AFTER SHE LOSES THE FAMILY HOME.

BLANCHE AND STANLEY CLEARLY DO NOT LIKE EACH OTHER AND A TWISTED

FAMILY DRAMA ENSUES.

DramaA Street Car Named Desire

REVOLVES AROUND THE JOHNSON COUNTY WAR (1890 , WYOMING) , A BATTLE

BETWEEN WEALTHY LANDOWNERS AND SMALLER LANDOWNERS OVER CATTLE

THIEVERY.

DramaThe Virginian

A RATHER MISFIT NAVAL CREW SLACKS OFF ON THE CAINE , UNTIL A NEW

COMMANDER ARRIVES… HOWEVER, THE CREW SOON DISCOVERS HIM TO

MENTALLY UNSTABLE AND THEY MUTINY.

AdventureThe Caine Mutiny

REACTING TO THE HARSH, PREJUDICED WORLD IN WHICH HE LIVES, BIGGER

THOMAS RESORTS TO ACTS OF VIOLENCE AND MURDER TO FEEL FREE.

DramaNative Son

AUTOBIOGRAPHICAL, THIS NOVEL DESCRIBES WRIGHT'S LIFE FROM AGE 4

TO AGE 19 . AS WRIGHT IS SUBJECTED TO HARSH PUNISHMENTS AND LACK OF

SYMPATHY, SHOWING THE EXPERIENCE OF AFRICAN AMERICANS LIVING IN THE

SOUTH DURING THE EARLY 20 T H CENTURY.

DramaBlack Boy

NOTE: SOME TITLES MAY CONTAIN MATURE THEMES. PLEASE DISCUSS YOUR CHOICE WITH YOUR PARENTS,

TEACHERS, OR LIBRARIAN TO FIND AN APPROPRIATE CHOICE.

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