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.
We’re closing out our 2021 Discovering Literature Digests by showcasing four critically acclaimed books by bestselling authors. Varying in genre and subject matter, these books will resonate with your students, whether it’s Shadow and Bone, the dark fantasy novel that inspired the popular Netflix show; the hit middle-grade short story anthology Flying Lessons and Other Stories; Emmanuel Acho’s Conversations With a Black Boy, a young readers edition of his breakout work; and Amanda Gorman’s highly anticipated collection of poetry, Call Us What We Carry.
Shadow and Bone
The land of Ravka has been torn apart by the Shadow Fold, a swath of unnatural darkness inhabited by monsters. It’s here that Alina, a soldier, unleashes a dormant magical power after her regiment is attacked. With her powers revealed, Alina is chosen to be trained as a member of the Grisha, the magical elite led by the mysterious Darkling. He believes Alina can destroy the Shadow Fold and reunite the country, but only if she can master her untamed gift. As Ravka plunges into turmoil, Alina must uncover the secrets of the Grisha if she is to save the nation. The first book in a trilogy, Shadow and Bone is perfect for students who enjoy dark fantasy novels.
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Flying Lessons and Other Stories
Middle-grade readers will love this collection of short stories by ten of the most famous authors in children’s literature today. Featuring characters from diverse backgrounds, the compelling stories in this anthology explore themes of friendship, family, acceptance, dreams, and more. Edited by Ellen Oh, author and co-founder of We Need Diverse Books, the collection includes works by authors Kwame Alexander, Kelly J. Baptist, Soman Chainani, Matt de la Peña, Tim Federle, Grace Lin, Meg Medina, Walter Dean Myers, Tim Tingle, and Jacqueline Woodson.
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Uncomfortable Conversations with a Black Boy
Adapted from Emmanuel Acho’s Uncomfortable Conversations with a Black Man, this nonfiction work aims to create a dialog with the younger generation about the impact of systemic racism in our society. Using accessible language, historical accounts, and personal anecdotes, Acho dives into taboo or uncomfortable topics that young readers may be afraid to ask questions about, such as implicit bias, white privilege, and cultural appropriation.
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Call Us What We Carry: Poems
No classroom poetry collection is complete without this book by Amanda Gorman, an author, activist, and former National Youth Poet Laureate. Here, she explores themes of history, identity, language, memory, and erasure through masterfully crafted poems, including “The Hill We Climb,” the famous piece she delivered at the inauguration of President Joe Biden on January 20, 2021.
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Find even more exciting books in the Discovering Literature collection!