READING
CONTEMPORARY FICTION
Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver. A deeply human and gripping modern reimagining of David Copperfield set in modern Appalachia. It is a brilliant read that tackles the difficult topics of poverty, the foster care system, and institutional addiction in a compelling way.
A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman. A heartwarming and bittersweet story about a grumpy, isolated old man whose life is completely turned upside down by his boisterous new neighbors. Important themes include community, grief, and the beauty of found family.
The Secret History by Donna Tartt. A dark, suspenseful, and highly atmospheric story about a group of eccentric classics students at an elite New England college. It is a compelling look at peer pressure, obsession, and moral dilemmas in a dark academia setting.
Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir. A fast-paced space survival story about a lone astronaut who wakes up with amnesia and must use his scientific wit to save humanity from an extinction-level event. It is full of optimistic science and high-stakes problem-solving.
The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time by Mark Haddon. A beautifully written and unique story told from the perspective of a 15-year-old autistic boy. A mystery about a neighbor’s murdered dog leads to many family secrets being revealed.
A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini. A powerful and beautifully written historical memoir-style narrative that chronicles thirty years of Afghan history. The story follows the deeply moving friendship of two women navigating war, trauma, and survival.
Little Fires Everywhere by Celeste Ng. A very engaging book for readers of all ages. In addition to telling several coming-of-age stories, the book also discusses the themes of racism, motherhood, interracial adoption, classism, etc. Entertaining and thought provoking.
Everything I Never Told You by Celeste Ng. A coming-of-age story about a mixed-race Chinese-American family in the 1970s. A death in the family leads to many secrets being revealed. Themes include race, gender, mental health, sexuality.
Sing, Unburied, Sing by Jesmyn Ward. An intense, dark, excellent read that won the 2017 National Book Award. Themes include racism/racial violence, drug abuse/addiction, child neglect/abuse, death, and the impact of the prison system in America.
The Death of Vivek Oji by Akwaeke Emezi. A central theme of this book is the protagonist’s exploration of their gender identity and sexuality in conservative Nigerian society. It is another read that tackles a lot of difficult topics in a compelling way.
Long Way Down by Jason Reynolds. Told in verse, this story takes place during the course of a one-minute elevator ride as a 15 year old boy grapples with how/if to avenge the murder of his brother. Important themes include masculinity and cycles of violence.
Concrete Rose by Angie Thomas. The prequel to “The Hate You Give.” It is told from the point of view of a 17 year-old single father, a perspective not often shown in YA literature.
The Poet X by Elizabeth Acevedo. This book won the 2018 National Book Award for Young People’s Literature. It is told in verse by a 15 year old Dominican American girl living in Harlem as she navigates her complicated family life through poetry.
Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe by Benjamin Alire Saenz. This is a really great coming-of-age book about
two teeange boys navigating their racial, ethnic, and sexual identities.
Now Is Not the Time to Panic by Kevin Wilson. The secret art project of two teenagers becomes a national sensation, but not necessarily in a good way (this is partially set during the Satanic Panic). As the main characters grow up, they must reckon with the choices they made as teens.
Scythe by Neal Shusterman. It’s a young adult dystopian story that explores themes of death and morality, political intrigue, and is set in a future in which a benevolent AI governs the world and has largely eliminated hunger, disease, poverty, and even death.
1984 by George Orwell. There are important themes to consider, such as language, surveillance, and the importance of freedom and critical thinking
The Long Walk by Stephen King. The Long Walk is a dystopian horror novel by American writer Stephen King, published in 1979, under the pseudonym Richard Bachman. Set in a dystopian alternative version of the United States ruled by a totalitarian regime, the plot follows the contestants of a grueling annual walking contest.
FANTASY
The House in the Cerulean Sea by TJ Klune. This book is a “hug in book form.” It’s a comforting, feel-good story about the celebration of found family. The story centers around Linus Baker, a rule-following caseworker, and the magical children he meets at an orphanage. If you need emotional relief or just want a book to lift your spirits, this book delivers on every page.
The Reformatory by Tananarive Due. This book won the 2024 Bram Stoker Award and the 2024 World Fantasy Award. Robbie, a 12-year-old African American boy living in 1950s Florida, is sentenced to a reformatory following a sham trial. In addition to the everyday horrors, the reformatory is also haunted. This is an excellent historical fiction horror novel.
The Raven Boys by Maggie Stiefvater. A teenage girl encounters a group of entitled boys attending an exclusive private/boarding school in Virginia. They join forces to track down the tomb of a mystical Welsh king. Spoiler alert - some of the teachers might secretly be murderous villains.
The Poppy War by R.F. Kuang. The first book in a military fantasy trilogy heavily inspired by 20th-century Chinese history. The book explores themes of colonialism, militarism, and racial prejudice. Interestingly, the main character is not a hero - the author once described her series as “what if Mao Zedong was a teenage girl?” It is a compelling view into how power corrupts.
Legendborn by Tracy Deonn. This YA fantasy takes the Arthurian legend and infuses it with Black history and Southern Gothic elements.
HISTORICAL FICTION
The Things They Carried by Tim O’Brien. A brilliant semi-autobiographical collection of stories that serves as a definitive look at the Vietnam War. It explores the immense physical, emotional, and psychological burdens that soldiers carry.
The Lincoln Highway by Amor Towles. This is an adventurous tale about 4 boys traveling across the country in 1954 with very different goals and plans. It is a very fun, very twisty read.
Code Name Verity by Elizabeth Wein. This YA book focuses on the often-overlooked role of women in WW2. The book is told from the point of view of two young women - one is a spy who has been captured by the Nazis and is currently being interrogated; the other is the female pilot who flew her to occupied France and is working to free her best friend. The book has a big twist and plays mind games with the reader.
MYSTERY & THRILLER
Bluebird, Bluebird by Attica Locke. A Southern noir crime novel about Darren Mathews, a Black Texas Ranger who is conflicted about his identity and role in a society that is still strongly shaped by racial tensions. The book is an excellent mystery with complex, well-developed characters.
Paradise Coast by Suzanne Young. A fast-paced mystery and thriller for young adults set in a sun-drenched, seemingly perfect coastal town. It is a compelling view into high stakes and tension that keeps the reader guessing.
The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafon. Coming-of-age story set in Francoist Spain that combines Gothic mystery with topics such as fascism and censorship.
Bluebird, Bluebird by Attica Locke. A Southern noir crime novel about Darren Mathews, a Black Texas Ranger who is conflicted about his identity and role in a society that is still strongly shaped by racial tensions. The book is an excellent mystery with complex, well-developed characters.
All the Colors of the Dark by Chris Whitaker. A multi-genre novel that is a mystery, a serial killer thriller, a coming-of-age story, and a love story. It’s just a really good story!
NONFICTION
The Boys in the Boat by Daniel James Brown. A non-fiction book about the University of Washington’s underdog rowing team, composed of working class young men, who won the gold medal at the 1936 Berlin Olympics, defeating the favored German team under Adolf Hiter.
Persepolis and Persepolis 2 by Marjane Satrapi. These highly engaging graphic memoirs do a magnificent job explaining the last century of Iranian history to unfamiliar Western audiences. Told through the eyes of a young girl growing up during the Islamic Revolution, the books tackle difficult topics like war, political oppression, and radical cultural shifts in a highly accessible and deeply personal way.
Into Thin Air by Jon Krakauer. A harrowing, first-person narrative about the disastrous 1996 Everest expedition. It offers a brutal and deeply reflective look into the extreme realities of mountaineering and survival.
Educated by Tara Westover. An unforgettable memoir about a young girl who leaves her survivalist family in the mountains of Idaho to teach herself enough to enter college at 17. Important themes include the power of education, family loyalty, and self-invention.
The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls. A remarkable and deeply moving memoir about growing up in a fiercely eccentric, nomadic, and deeply dysfunctional family. It explores themes of resilience, poverty, and complicated family bonds.
The Poisoner’s Handbook by Deborah Plum. This book presents the advances in Chemistry and how they shaped forensics science in a digestible way. Fantastic for sparking interest in STEM.
Win The Day by Jerry Lynch. This book is all about building team culture. This will serve as our coaching book club book for the fall. “Win the Day” was the athletic theme for the 2025-26 school year!
I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou. A powerful memoir that offers up a perspective likely explored to a limited extent as is about Maya Angelou’s younger years and the trauma and hardship she experienced as a young black girl at the time. It’s beautifully written, and can easily connect to what most teachers in English and probably history class cover.
Know My Name by Chanel Miller. Memoir by Chanel Miller, Emily Doe in the People v. Turner criminal case. Her book and victim statement sparked a national discussion about rape on college campuses and the way that victims of sexual assault are often silenced.
They Called Us Enemy by George Takei. This book is a graphic memoir about Takei’s childhood experiences in a Japanese internment camp. The format makes the story highly accessible and impactful.
The March Trilogy by John Lewis. This is an autobiographical graphic novel trilogy about the Civil Rights Movement told by late Congressman John Lewis. It is highly engaging, informative, and emotionally compelling.
Just Mercy: Adapted for Young Adults by Bryan Stevenson. A memoir by Bryan Stevenson, a lawyer and founder of the Equal Justice Initiative. Most of the book centers around individuals unfairly sentenced to death row.
Everything Is Tuberculosis by John Green. This is a short nonfiction book that was just released. It is super interesting and accessible. It brings up very good points about global health inequities.