Wednesday, November 16, 2011

RTW- School Daze


Road Trip Wednesday is a "Blog Carnival," where YA Highway's contributors post a weekly writing- or reading-related question that begs to be answered.

In high school, teens are made to read the classics - Shakespeare, Hawthorne, Bronte, Dickens - but there are a lot of books out there never taught in schools. So if you had the power to change school curriculums, which books would you be sure high school students were required to read?

My pick would be 13 Reasons Why by Jay Asher.  I'm sure lots of school are using this as part of curriculums.  It is a compelling book and has the power to make people think about how they treat each other.

I also really liked Matched by Allie Condie and I could see it being used in schools.  The idea of choice and having access to the written word and music.  The use of poetry in the book also seems like it would work well in a classroom.



10 comments:

Juliana said...

I didn't read Thirteen Reasons Why yet, but I'll soon.
As for Matched, I didn't like it much. I think I expected more after reading so many praises ... shouldn't have such high hopes lol

Sara {Rhapsody and Chaos} said...

13 Reasons Why FOR THE WIN. I completely agree.

Yael said...

Why would you use "Matched" when you could use "The Giver"?

Jennifer Hoffine said...

13 Reasons Why...I totally agree.

Meredith said...

13 Reasons Why would be so wonderful to read as a teenager--great choice!

Jaime Morrow said...

Love your choices! Thirteen Reasons Why was also on my list :)

stephanie kuehn said...

Ah, I'm terrible in that I haven't read 13 Reasons Why yet. I need to!

Unknown said...

Lots of people choosing 13 Reasons Why and I still haven't read it! :( But on subject matter alone, I think it would be important for teen readers.

Angelica R. Jackson said...

Both of these are on my TBR list, though I think 13 reasons might be a hard read for me judging by things I've heard about it.

Mary Aalgaard said...

Way back when I was teaching English, I had the junior high kids read The Giver. We can add some titles, sometimes.

Loved catching up on your posts, especially a day in the life of a custume maker. Cool.
I'll be at the Guthrie this Sunday night for A Christmas Carol. I'll be coming for blogger night, and will bring all four of my boys. Super excited!!!