Reading recommendations

Some books I recommend for the classroom; some I recommend to the teacher who will teach them. Often they are the same books. Here is the case for the ones that have meant something to me — why they are worth the time, and worth giving to students.

Watercolour of a small-town street at sunset seen from a porch, illustrating why teach To Kill a Mockingbird
Reading recommendations

Why Teach To Kill a Mockingbird: A Novel About Learning to See Each Other

Beyond its themes and its place in the canon, To Kill a Mockingbird teaches something rarer: how to truly know another person — by first being willing to love them. A literature teacher’s case for why the novel is still worth reading, and worth teaching, and how to give it the depth it deserves.

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Cicero speaking to the Roman Forum, capturing the political and rhetorical intensity of ancient Rome as depicted in Robert Harris’ novel Imperium.
Reading recommendations

When History Needs a Story: Why Imperium Is a great Historical Fiction About Cicero for Students

Cicero comes alive in the streets and Forum of ancient Rome—his speeches, ambitions, and moral challenges unfolding in real time. In Robert Harris’ Imperium, students encounter the drama, tension, and intrigue of the Roman Republic in a way that captivates even those usually reluctant to read novels.

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Assaf and his dog Dinka running through the streets of Jerusalem in search of Tamar, from Someone to Run With
Reading recommendations

Why Every High School Student Should Read D. Grossman’s “Someone to Run With”

David Grossman’s Someone to Run With is more than a novel—it’s a powerful journey through friendship, courage, and self-discovery. Follow Assaf and Tamar with your students across Jerusalem as they face impossible challenges, discover the true meaning of love and loyalty, and learn what it means to grow up.

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Snowy Narnia with the two Beavers near the glowing lamp-post, evoking the magical world of The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe.
Reading recommendations

Why Teach The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe in Your Middle School Classroom?

Why does The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe continue to captivate both students and educators? Its magical adventure, timeless themes of courage and sacrifice, and rich cross-curricular connections create a powerful story that inspires meaningful reflection and lasting engagement in the classroom. Let’s explore why.

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