Do you assign homework during breaks? Here are the top five books that would be great to assign during Winter break.
A CHRISTMAS CAROL by Charles Dickens
While not all students may celebrate Christmas, a seasonal opportunity to open their minds to the works of Charles Dickens is always welcome. Though the text may be dense, the book itself is quite short, and its iconic story will help students recognize the timeless quality of the novel.
HARRY POTTER AND THE SORCERER’S STONE by J.K. Rowling
This is just the first installment in the wizarding fantasy series that ignited an entire generation to realize just how wonderful reading can be. If your students have never read a Harry Potter book, this is a perfect season to have them start their journey, and discover why these stories have become modern classics.
THE ODYSSEY by Homer
Curriculum continues to move away from the classics, so take this holiday break opportunity to have your students read the ultimate heroic classic tale. Challenge students to see if they can compare it to the epic adventure stories of today.
TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD by Harper Lee
One of the most important American novels ever written, this book continues to be relevant today. It’s partly a story of growing up, and also a look at the racial divide that permeates through our history. It’s too essential of a work of literature to be missed, so make sure your students all have had the wonderful opportunity to read it.
READY PLAYER ONE by Ernest Cline
A recent sci-fi novel that depicts a dystopian future caused by an energy crisis and global warming, that created widespread social and economic problems. This book tells the story of people who escape these problems by plugging into a large interconnected virtual video game. It’s currently being made into a movie by Steven Spielberg and is primed for hot button discussions with students who have their own experiences living in a time where so many of us escape into digital worlds. Start the in depth conversations when students return in the new year!