Top 10 most popular books of 2016

Are the classics still being taught? Do “dead white men” still dominate the curriculum? Do other teachers love teaching these books as much as I? What books are other teachers teaching?

In 2016, Prestwick House shipped over half a million paperbacks to schools around the country. That's more than 106 million pages or a stack of books almost 2 miles high! Because we sell so many books, people often ask us, “What are the most popular books in English classes this year?” To answer that question, we’re happy to present the top 10 most popular books in 2016.

Are the classics still being taught? Do “dead white men” still dominate the curriculum? Do other teachers love teaching these books as much as I? What books are other teachers teaching?

In 2016, Prestwick House shipped over half a million paperbacks to schools around the country. That's more than 106 million pages or a stack of books almost 2 miles high! Because we sell so many books, people often ask us, “What are the most popular books in English classes this year?” To answer that question, we’re happy to present the top 10 most popular books in 2016.

Are the classics still being taught? Do “dead white men” still dominate the curriculum? Do other teachers love teaching these books as much as I? What books are other teachers teaching?

In 2016, Prestwick House shipped over half a million paperbacks to schools around the country. That's more than 106 million pages or a stack of books almost 2 miles high! Because we sell so many books, people often ask us, “What are the most popular books in English classes this year?” To answer that question, we’re happy to present the top 10 most popular books in 2016.

10. Oedipus Rex

Sophocles' classic Greek tragedy leads off the list after jumping from number 13 last year.

9. The Great Gatsby

There's no better book for introducing your students to the theme of the American Dream than F. Scott Fitzgerald's masterpiece.

8. Hamlet

The first of three Shakespeare plays in this year's list, Hamlet always makes the list of top books.

7. Macbeth

For the first time in three years, Macbeth jumped over Hamlet as our second-most-popular Shakespeare play, claiming the 7th spot on our list.

6. To Kill a Mockingbird

The release of Go Set a Watchman didn't lift To Kill a Mockingbird this year as it slipped from 5th to 6th place.

5. Antigone

The most popular Greek play for schools, Antigone comes in at #5 in this year's list of top books.

4. Pygmalion

A surprise contender thanks to some very large school adoptions, Shaw's play about social class—and the source of My Fair Lady—joins our top ten for the first time this year.

3. The Scarlet Letter

Always a favorite, The Scarlet Letter barely missed the list last year, but rebounded nicely with a #3 finish in 2016.

2. Frankenstein

Students love a monster story, and there's so much great material to teach in Frankenstein, that it's no wonder Shelley's creation is number 2 on our list for the second year running.

1. Romeo and Juliet

The winner and still champion, Romeo and Juliet leads our list as the #1 book of 2016!