When it comes to literature, teaching the classics is important. But it's a good idea to add contemporary titles to your curriculum, too, especially if your students sometimes have trouble connecting with older texts.
That’s why we created the Discovering Literature collection, a curated selection of noteworthy books that are capturing the attention of teachers and students across the country.
This month’s Discovering Literature Digest showcases stories of varying genres that explore the impact of relationships on shaping one’s identity, from the importance of family and friends to the bonds between team members.
Vincent and Theo: The Van Gogh Brothers
In this biography, Deborah Heiligman explores the relationship between Vincent and Theo Van Gogh, two brothers whose enduring friendship helped shape one of the most prominent figures in art history. This book chronicles the brothers’ lives, from Vincent’s successes and struggles as a painter to Theo’s unwavering support of his brother’s craft, drawing information from the letters Vincent wrote to Theo over the course of his lifetime.
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The Great Gatsby
The rich and powerful Jay Gatsby appears to have it all but struggles with a deep secret—he has reinvented himself as a millionaire to impress his lost love, the married socialite Daisy Buchanan. Gatsby is certain that money can buy happiness, as well as Daisy’s heart. However, his obsessive pursuit of her affection has consequences that he never expected. Nick Carraway, Daisy’s cousin, tells Gatsby’s story after the turbulent events of the summer of 1922. Considered the Great American Novel by many, F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby is a portrait of the Roaring Twenties and a timeless exploration of American identity.
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Aurora Rising
In the year 2380, the graduating cadets of Aurora Academy are assigned their first missions. Tyler Jones, the academy’s star pupil, hopes to recruit the perfect team, but fate hands him a squad of misfits instead. Tyler finds himself in even deeper trouble after he rescues Aurora, a girl who was trapped in cryo-sleep for two centuries. When powerful forces come looking for Aurora, Tyler and his eccentric crew must work to protect her and save the galaxy. Packed with action and humor, Aurora Rising by authors Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff is a great choice for older students who enjoy imaginative science fiction.
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The Field Guide to the North American Teenager
Winner of the William C. Morris Debut Award, this novel by Ben Philippe tells the story of Norris, a Black French Canadian teen who finds his world turned upside down when his family moves to Texas. At his American high school, the cynical teenager keeps to himself, passing the time by journaling about the students he meets: the Cheerleaders, the Jocks, the Loners, and so on. But against all odds, those labels soon become actual people to Norris. As he learns the harm of making snap judgments of others, Norris realizes it might be time to stop hiding behind his snarky opinions and welcome others into his life.
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Find even more exciting books in the Discovering Literature collection!