While classic literature will always have its place in the classroom, it never hurts to see what else is out there! Contemporary books have the power to not only captivate but also resonate with the experiences and interests of today’s students.
In this curated list, discover a collection of thought-provoking reads that offer new ways to explore five timeless topics and themes. These modern titles provide the perfect bridge between the literary traditions of the past and the vibrant narratives shaping the future. Let’s check them out!
The Hero’s Journey
Found in countless stories from cultures all over the world, the hero’s journey is one of literature’s most enduring narrative archetypes. This type of story follows a character who is called to adventure, faces challenges, and ultimately returns from the journey transformed in some way.
![Hatchet](https://www.prestwickhouse.com/ProductImages//023a11a6-009e-4d4a-853d-d86a1ee4a6d1/images/302243.jpg) Hatchet, by Gary Paulsen |
![The Alchemist](https://www.prestwickhouse.com/ProductImages//1b2060a7-344c-49ef-ab62-2a008a93ce38/images/202413.jpg) The Alchemist, by Paulo Coelho |
![Black Ships Before Troy](https://www.prestwickhouse.com/ProductImages//539094ce-d06c-4653-abb3-d444f6a33c05/images/301876.jpg) Black Ships Before Troy, by Rosemary Sutcliff |
![The Lightning Thief](https://www.prestwickhouse.com/ProductImages//5029f12e-e0e0-43d8-85c3-43a035cdca15/images/302914.jpg) The Lightning Thief, by Rick Riordan |
![The Golden Compass](https://www.prestwickhouse.com/ProductImages//59faaed5-de7e-44f6-b61c-14e9d7f0c2e0/images/206459.jpg) The Golden Compass, by Philip Pullman |
![Cinder](https://www.prestwickhouse.com/ProductImages//945ccbd0-5f49-4b5f-ade0-bbb4e281fc9f/images/309798.jpg) Cinder, by Marissa Meyer |
![Eragon](https://www.prestwickhouse.com/ProductImages//93d9300b-c0d7-4447-bbb0-38392c7c502c/images/302356.jpg) Eragon, by Christopher Paolini |
![Scythe](https://www.prestwickhouse.com/ProductImages//9c6a31b7-941f-4bcc-9d8a-652ed7738415/images/310528.jpg) Scythe, by Neal Shusterman |
Loss of Innocence
Loss of innocence captures the moment when characters experience a transformative shift from naivety to awareness. Some stories focus on the loss of childhood innocence or a coming of age. Others focus on the shattering of ideals or beliefs as characters’ assumptions about the world are challenged.
![A Long Way Gone](https://www.prestwickhouse.com/ProductImages//2e31c054-b0bd-4023-aaf8-f74e790b32d0/images/307597.jpg) A Long Way Gone, by Ishmael Beah |
![Grown](https://www.prestwickhouse.com/ProductImages//f2b29647-fa45-4fd4-a118-0a51a12bf3db/images/313177.jpg) Grown, by Tiffany D. Jackson |
![The Grace Year](https://www.prestwickhouse.com/ProductImages//ee001882-6f30-437a-a3b2-b74fcfedc23d/images/312725.jpg) The Grace Year, by Kim Liggett |
![Amal Unbound](https://www.prestwickhouse.com/ProductImages//6ceeca96-ea1f-49d3-b03f-167d1a81cea2/images/311024.jpg) Amal Unbound, by Aisha Saeed |
![The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time](https://www.prestwickhouse.com/ProductImages//44cffa10-1184-4c69-87db-98f23fa83324/images/301706.jpg) The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time, by Mark Haddon |
![Bridge to Terabithia](https://www.prestwickhouse.com/ProductImages//50081d5e-891b-4c37-b80d-5fd48785e6b7/images/200155.jpg) Bridge to Terabithia, by Katherine Paterson |
![Hey, Kiddo](https://www.prestwickhouse.com/ProductImages//672b40bb-44d9-4ec6-8f05-f64980f184ea/images/311876.jpg) Hey, Kiddo, by Jarrett J. Krosoczka |
![All the Light We Cannot See](https://www.prestwickhouse.com/ProductImages//64712670-c1ec-46e1-9d1c-170239d3eef1/images/310264.jpg) All the Light We Cannot See, by Anthony Doerr |
Identity
Countless stories explore the complexities of identity, including cultural heritage, personal beliefs, and societal expectations. Characters grapple with questions of who they are and where they belong, often resonating with readers on a personal level. These types of stories serve as powerful tools for fostering empathy and understanding.
![I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter](https://www.prestwickhouse.com/ProductImages//845f4766-f7bc-4e89-8f6e-f520e7d9c876/images/310789.jpg) I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter, by Erika Sánchez |
![Brown Girl Dreaming](https://www.prestwickhouse.com/ProductImages//6a1f4cb6-c9b3-4285-89d4-83746872a7f5/images/309743.jpg) Brown Girl Dreaming, by Jacqueline Woodson |
![The Other Wes Moore](https://www.prestwickhouse.com/ProductImages//def7fe1b-5423-4451-8bd1-6e9aa1d4ff75/images/309298.jpg) The Other Wes Moore, by Wes Moore |
![Hillbilly Elegy](https://www.prestwickhouse.com/ProductImages//e697127e-5bd0-44f9-8ec1-14af40f7ccbb/images/310693.jpg) Hillbilly Elegy, by J. D. Vance |
![Crying in H Mart](https://www.prestwickhouse.com/ProductImages//45da73d6-3b56-4647-92d0-6a8d7ea29a1e/images/313936.jpg) Crying in H Mart, by Michelle Zauner |
![Genesis Begins Again](https://www.prestwickhouse.com/ProductImages//279ade8b-ef9b-4ff7-bf3f-b04e0596a8fb/images/312334.jpg) Genesis Begins Again, by Alicia D. Williams |
![Girl in Translation](https://www.prestwickhouse.com/ProductImages//2b94b1f6-c8a4-492d-8dfe-c894d5bd5ae2/images/312214.jpg) Girl in Translation, by Jean Kwok |
![New Kid](https://www.prestwickhouse.com/ProductImages//7d4b8f48-5a8e-431d-9c0d-0699efc52c24/images/311603.jpg) New Kid, by Jerry Craft |
The American Dream
The American Dream, the idea that anyone can achieve success through hard work and determination, has inspired authors of all backgrounds for years. In literature, the American Dream is usually depicted either with optimism or with cynicism, as not everyone believes in its core message.
![The Glass Castle](https://www.prestwickhouse.com/ProductImages//e4031bc9-729a-4bc4-9567-a44378e8859c/images/308215.jpg) The Glass Castle, by Jeannette Walls |
![Interior Chinatown](https://www.prestwickhouse.com/ProductImages//2db54fc8-bdcd-4140-a905-674d541ad9c3/images/313303.jpg) Interior Chinatown, by Charles Yu |
![Between the World and Me](https://www.prestwickhouse.com/ProductImages//99c3c4a2-dfad-459e-8feb-528a44f195d2/images/309925.jpg) Between the World and Me, by Ta-Nehisi Coates |
![Behold the Dreamers](https://www.prestwickhouse.com/ProductImages//e616582f-d80c-4d4a-88a0-8d5b9b801a41/images/310851.jpg) Behold the Dreamers, by Imbolo Mbue |
![Crossing the Line](https://www.prestwickhouse.com/ProductImages//edbb5319-dd9a-40ea-ab21-d37a3c50c279/images/314137.jpg) Crossing the Line, by Kareem Rosser |
![The Best We Could Do](https://www.prestwickhouse.com/ProductImages//bf8c5683-58a9-404b-adc6-7a29ce9518ea/images/312533.jpg) The Best We Could Do, by Thi Bui |
![This Is My America](https://www.prestwickhouse.com/ProductImages//4df1125e-35e6-4488-a462-a1ada8acdf45/images/312962.jpg) This Is My America, by Kim Johnson |
![The Distance Between Us](https://www.prestwickhouse.com/ProductImages//3a5f0724-337c-4f61-892d-4c64149495bd/images/311544.jpg) The Distance Between Us, by Reyna Grande |
Justice
In a perfect world, everyone would be treated with fairness and respect. Authors know reality is much different. Contemporary works often examine the theme of justice from different angles, including legal battles, personal vendettas, and social struggles.
![Monster](https://www.prestwickhouse.com/ProductImages//d04345f2-ac8c-4b9e-9732-646cd150b3d6/images/200059.jpg) Monster, by Walter Dean Myers |
![Dear Martin](https://www.prestwickhouse.com/ProductImages//4f695253-adaa-427e-b78e-b9af6242ff70/images/310855.jpg) Dear Martin, by Nic Stone |
![Patron Saints of Nothing](https://www.prestwickhouse.com/ProductImages//f4db8e34-a9a4-498c-a758-a0ae74c5cf66/images/311996.jpg) Patron Saints of Nothing, by Randy Ribay |
![Just Mercy](https://www.prestwickhouse.com/ProductImages//25018c80-b39e-45fb-a960-6c1591ca0fbc/images/311130.jpg) Just Mercy, by Bryan Stevenson |
![The Hate U Give](https://www.prestwickhouse.com/ProductImages//7899cf29-c1bb-430c-b6f2-17120dfd7270/images/310584.jpg) The Hate U Give, by Angie Thomas |
![The 57 Bus](https://www.prestwickhouse.com/ProductImages//4a7fb271-32ee-4e82-b071-0887430f3282/images/310926.jpg) The 57 Bus, by Dashka Slater |
![Firekeeper's Daughter](https://www.prestwickhouse.com/ProductImages//69225a44-9641-465f-805c-c593d3950eba/images/313515.jpg) Firekeeper’s Daughter, by Angeline Boulley |
![Ghost Boys](https://www.prestwickhouse.com/ProductImages//a15e1b6e-a053-4892-807d-3d41db6433cb/images/310920.jpg) Ghost Boys, by Jewell Parker Rhodes |
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