Contemporary Books Teachers Should Add to Their "Must-Read" Lists

children reading

With the return to school, the compulsory readings for young people return. Many of the lists that teachers prepare are full of classics such as Count Lucanor, The matchmaker, The Quijote and a great variety of works that, at times, are not to the reader's taste. Although I do not want to belittle the classics by this, simply a young reader can be overwhelmed by this type of work.

For this reason, today I wanted to bring a contemporary book series that I think would be ideal for young readers, readings that, if I were a teacher, I would add to my reading list for students. These are contemporary books that have received very good reviews in general and that make the reader think in addition to teaching and suppose some pleasant, entertaining and interesting readings for a young man who is still in school.

"I am Malala" by Malala Yousafzai

I start with the only book on the list that I haven't read. Although I have not read this particular book, although it is among my pending, Malala's story is known worldwide and I have seen some of her videos in which they speak. Malala is a girl who has made a big impact and with good reason, that's why I think your book has to be a real change for the reader's mind.

I am Malala tells the story of Malala, the situation of the Taliban and how she rose to become the icon that she is today.

"Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe" by Benjamin Alire Sáenz

This book is in Spanish (Aristotle and Dante discover the secrets of the universe) but not in an edition of Spain, but of Mexico, however it is easily accessible to him through amazon Spain and different stores that sell books in epub format.

Es a contemporary book about friendship, family and love. It is an innocent book starring a shy and introverted boy who befriends a transparent boy. The book shows the friendship that is built as well as the way in which the protagonist changes the way he sees the world.

On the other hand I think it can be a good read in English as I consider it the best book to start with the language. It is not a graded reading but it has a very simple level, which does not detract from the charm of the book.

"The Perks of Being an Outcast" by Stephen Chbosky

The Advantages of Being an Outcast tells the story of Charlie, an innocent and naive boy who likes to read and reflect on life but who has no friends. His life begins to change when he meets the two most popular boys in school and is fully into adolescence.

Charlie is a unique character and, as such, it is very curious to see his way of observing life since it escapes the thought of a conventional adolescent. It is a simple story but with the charm of the vision of a naive boy who enters adolescence, who learns to relate and have fun but without losing what characterizes him.

"A son" by Alejandro Palomas

Taking into account the type of books that I am recommending, I could not skip the Spanish author Alejandro Palomas, author of several books that present the reader with a new meaning of life.

In “A son”, Alejandro Palomas tells the vision of Guille, an introverted boy with a lot of imagination and a single friend. In addition to telling us the story from Guille's point of view, he also shows us it from the people who relate to him, taking the story to what is hidden behind that child with a permanent smile.

A son es a book that moves and surprises in equal parts due to the very human way of showing the problems, as well as the mystery of what the protagonist is hiding in the background.

"Eleanor & Park" by Rainbow Rowell

Eleanor & Park Not only does it tell the sweet love story between two teenagers but it also shows the reality of each one of them: that of a half-Asian boy and that of a girl who dresses strangely. Two very different characters who end up coming together despite seeming to have nothing in common. A romantic story but also raw and real.

"The Lesson of August" by JR Palacio

Finally I would add August's lesson, a story starring a boy who has a deformed face and decides he wants to go to school instead of taking private lessons. More than being a book of improvement, which is what it may seem, The book shows us not only the cruelty that young children can have but also teaches us how to deal with these types of situations: without showing surprise or disgust.

These are some of the contemporary books that, if I were a teacher, I would put on a list for students to choose other types of stories, because the classics are very good, but it is necessary to introduce variety and, above all, give the student the option to choose a story that you really like.

What books would you add?


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