The literary canon is a hot debate in academia, but the American classroom has its favorites: The “Outsiders” by S.E. Hinton, “1984” by George Orwell, and “Frankenstein” by Mary Shelley are just the tip of the iceberg.
While each novel taught in English class has its own characters and plot, there are common themes that expand students’ understanding of humanity and society. American Philosopher Sandra Harding, in her Standpoint Theory, said that the only way to overcome prejudice is by using stories to teach empathy and understanding of other identities.
While there are hundreds of recent novels that are likely to enter the classroom in the coming decades, particularly depending on whether or not Americans come to their senses and stop banning them, I’ve selected novels from the twenty-first century that I believe should become the next classroom canon.
Middle school
Starting at the middle school level, “The Hate U Give” by Angie Thomas, 2017, is a must-read for future students. Much like “The Outsiders,” Thomas’ novel explores themes of identity and class struggle. This book also moves us forward in time towards a world more recognizable by modern teens, adding discussions about race relations and law enforcement in America.
My second recommendation for the middle school classroom is “The Hunger Games” by Suzanne Collins, 2008. The themes of government corruption, oppression and human nature bring about important discussions, especially in our modern America where democracy needs attention from its people.
High school
Off to the high school level, my first recommendation is “All the Light We Cannot See” by Anthony Doerr, 2014. The novel takes place in 1944 France during the German air raids, and follows characters on both sides of the war. As the veterans of World War II begin to pass away and politics begin to wash memory into conspiracy, it is important for students to read about a time period where literature’s classic “man’s inhumanity to man” theme is rampant.
My second choice is “Demon Copperhead” by Barbara Kingsolver, 2022. This novel is a retelling of Charles Dickens’ novel “David Copperfield,” translating the institutional poverty of Victorian England into the opioid age of Appalachia. This book is important to teach for two reasons. On one hand, it can deepen understanding and empathy for the children of poverty and drug abuse, but it can also tell children raised in those circumstances that they are not alone.
Bringing together the complications of race relations, dystopian themes, poverty and human nature, my oldest pick, from 1993, is “Parable of the Sower” by Octavia Butler. This novel is set in 2025 America that has fallen apart due to prejudice breeding into institutionalized hate, abuse of presidential power, and environmental destruction. The parallels to poverty and violence in modern America are terrifying, but that’s the exact reason why we must read these novels. By imagining and feeling the worst outcomes, we have motivation to prevent them from happening.
On the note of topical narratives, my last suggestion is “The Distance Between Us: A Memoir” by Reyna Grande, 2012. The memoir explores Grande’s childhood experience growing up as a first-generation Mexican-American trying to make her parent’s “American Dreams” come true. In order to prevent the violence against immigrants through governmental structures like ICE, future voters must understand and empathize with the individuals being forced into family separation and fear in the place they call home.
Each of my selections touch on very real issues in America while exploring and expanding upon the traditional themes of the American classroom. In order to develop critically thinking, well-informed citizens, the literary canon ought to explore contemporary political and social issues. Stories provide an experience distinct from being told the history; they give students the opportunity to put themselves in another person’s shoes.
Right now, the diversity in my suggested reading list would be rendered impossible if the current legislative session passes SB26 into law, giving local governing authorities the right to fire librarians that act against local book banning movements. If you believe well read, diverse-minded readers are essential to our democracy, Read Free Alabama has made a form you can fill out in just a few minutes to contact Alabama lawmakers and make it known that this bill does not have citizen
