English Department Lists of Literary Titles and Themes

2010-2011

The inclusion of specific titles and themes on each of the following lists reflects the consensus reached by grade-level teachers during the annual review of their specific course's literature offerings. Placement within categories is based on agreement about which titles may be taught as well as how they may be used in classroom instruction. Each grade-level list is organized into three categories:

Category 1 -

This category includes literary works that will be taught to all students in a given course. These common/core titles represent a body of literature that will establish a shared literary experience across grade levels. In some grade levels, specific authors are listed to ensure that students become acquainted with the work of these writers.

Category 2 -

These are titles that have been approved for use as required reading for an entire class. These texts have been reviewed by several teachers and a librarian or reading specialist and/or have traditionally been included in our planned courses of study.

Category 3 -

These titles may be used only as optional/student choice selections. These books have been reviewed by individual teachers who have determined that they should be made available to students during units of study that involve small-group rather than whole-class instruction.

Category 4 -

There is an additional category, called Category 4, that does not appear on any of the lists. This category includes titles that students choose for independent reading. Using titles that are in our libraries, teachers may provide lists of suggested titles or genres––for example, mystery, biography, or classics––but they generally allow great latitude in individual choices.

To access grade-level lists, please click on the following: