What were the most popular books in English classrooms in 2017? The classics continue to dominate our annual list of best-selling paperback books; but this time around, we also saw three new titles crack the top ten. Shakespeare was our most popular author of 2017—he penned three of last year's best sellers. Our Literary Touchstone Classics accounted for seven of the top ten. We're happy to present our top ten books of 2017.
#10 Of Mice and Men
In this American classic, Steinbeck explores themes such as friendship, sexism, racism, and euthanasia, which are as relevant today as when the novel was first written. Most important to the book is the idea of settling down to make a better life, which is the essence of the American Dream that pervades the novel. Because of Steinbeck's Naturalist style of writing, Of Mice and Men is an especially versatile novel that is accessible at all levels of learning.
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#9 The Scarlet Letter
Written by Nathaniel Hawthorne, The Scarlet Letter tells the story of Hester Prynne and explores the classic struggle of personal integrity versus public reputation, while tackling major themes such as repentance, the nature of evil, and one's place in society.
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#8 Adventures of Huckleberry Finn
Hemingway once said, "All modern American literature comes from one book by Mark Twain....it's the best book we’ve had. All American writing comes from that." He may have been engaging in hyperbole, but it’s hard to overestimate the influence this book has had on American literature and culture. Every student needs to read this book—and most will love it.
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#7 Night
The Holocaust is not only one of the most important events in the history of humanity, but also a critical topic for your classroom. Elie Wiesel’s powerful memoir chronicling his time in the Auschwitz and Buchenwald concentration camps helps students explore moral issues such as the danger of remaining silent in the face of oppression. Exploring themes like violence, racism, and anti-Semitism, this text teaches students about social responsibility while keeping alive Wiesel’s message to never forget those whose lives were lost.
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#6 The Great Gatsby
Engage your students with this deceptively simple work detailing the moral decline of upper-class American society during the Roaring Twenties. Within this classic novel, Fitzgerald describes the dreams of Jay Gatsby and the energy and enthusiasm that make feel him superior to the idle rich. Students will examine a variety of themes, including the corruption of the American Dream in the 1920s, violence, class, religion, gender roles, and honesty. They will also benefit from exploring Fitzgerald’s brilliant use of recurring motifs and from the symbolism that enriches this novel.
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#5 Hamlet
Shakespeare’s Hamlet is a necessary read for high school students. It opens up many mysteries into what it means to be human that your classes should explore.
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#4 Macbeth
William Shakespeare’s Macbeth tells the bloody story of prophecy, ambition, betrayal and guilt; it remains one of Shakespeare's most enduring tragedies, one your students will easily understand. Macbeth continues to thrill classes because of its supernatural elements, its depiction of evil, and its unrelenting portrayal of the effects of the desire for power.
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#3 Antigone
Antigone's resolve to do the right thing in spite of the cost becomes a riveting read in this exciting new translation by the same Greek scholar who translated Oedipus Rex and Medea. In the conflict between legitimate governmental authority attempting to do what it thinks is best for society and an individual who believes she has a moral responsibility to her dead brother, which one is in the right? This play will get even your most reluctant students involved.
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#2 Frankenstein
When students begin Frankenstein, they expect a mindless monster story; what they get instead is an insightful exploration of man's place in the universe. There is no better way to share the world of the Romantics with your class than with this classroom favorite.
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#1 Romeo and Juliet
Romeo and Juliet, usually the first Shakespeare your students will read, is the perfect introduction to the power of his poetry. While many of them will know the basic plot, this edition will provide them with the skills to thoroughly understand this classic story of true love and the destructive power of fate.
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