Jewish American Literature

Including Pulitzer Prize winners like Art Spiegelman's groundbreaking Maus and Michael Chabon's The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Clay, the texts in this collection celebrate the literary contributions and stories of Jewish Americans.

Publication year 2020Genre Novel, FictionThemes Relationships: Friendship, Relationships: Teams, Values/Ideas: Fate, Values/Ideas: Safety & Danger, Emotions/Behavior: Fear, Values/Ideas: Equality, Values/Ideas: Power & Greed, Values/Ideas: Good & Evil, Emotions/Behavior: Loneliness, Values/Ideas: Win & Lose, Natural World: Appearance & RealityTags Horror / Thriller / Suspense Fiction, Romance, Religion / Spirituality, Fantasy, Coming of Age / Bildungsroman, Class

Publication year 1966Genre Essay / Speech, NonfictionThemes Values/Ideas: Art, Values/Ideas: Literature, Values/Ideas: BeautyTags Arts / Culture

Publication year 1947Genre Play, FictionThemes Emotions/Behavior: Grief, Emotions/Behavior: Guilt, Relationships: Family, Society: War, Values/Ideas: Truth & LiesTags Play: Tragedy, Classic Fiction, American Literature, Military / War, Education, Education, History: World, Drama / Tragedy

All My Sons is a play by Arthur Miller, first performed in 1947. Based on a true story, All My Sons tells the story of a munitions factory owner who is accused of producing defective engines for aircraft. The play received many awards, ran for 328 shows on Broadway, and has been twice adapted as a film. This guide is based on the 2015 Penguin Classics edition of Miller’s Collected Plays. Plot SummaryJoe Keller is... Read All My Sons Summary


Publication year 1982Genre Book, NonfictionThemes Values/Ideas: Art, Society: Community, Society: Politics & Government, Values/Ideas: Science & TechnologyTags Literary Criticism, Philosophy, Arts / Culture, Philosophy, History: World, Sociology, Politics / Government, Modernism

Publication year 2007Genre Autobiography / Memoir, NonfictionTags Coming of Age / Bildungsroman, History: World, WWII / World War II, Holocaust, Military / War, Biography

A Lucky Child: A Memoir of Surviving Auschwitz as a Young Boy, first published in Germany 2007, is author Thomas Buergenthal's account of his childhood during the Nazi Occupation. Buergenthal was 6 years old when forced to abandon his home and spend the rest of his childhood running from Nazis and struggling to survive the Holocaust. Buergenthal’s horrific journey took him through bombings, labor camps, concentration camps, and “death marches.” He lost most of his... Read A Lucky Child Summary


Publication year 2019Genre Novel, FictionThemes Natural World: Space & The Universe, Emotions/Behavior: Memory, Values/Ideas: Science & Technology, Society: Community, Values/Ideas: Safety & Danger, Values/Ideas: Power & Greed, Society: WarTags Science-Fiction / Dystopian Fiction, Fantasy, LGBTQ, Mystery / Crime Fiction

Publication year 1975Genre Play, FictionThemes Relationships: FriendshipTags History: U.S., History: World, Classic Fiction, Play: Drama, American Literature, Mystery / Crime Fiction, Drama / Tragedy

American Buffalo is a 1975 off-Broadway play written by American playwright David Mamet. It first premiered in Chicago’s Goodman Theater in 1975, reaching Broadway in 1977. Along with two other plays, The Duck Variations (1971) and Sexual Perversity in Chicago (1974), American Buffalo established Mamet as a reputable writer. The play explores friendship and greed among the working classes. The 1976 publication from Grove Press (New York) serves as the basis for this guide.The play... Read American Buffalo Summary


Publication year 1997Genre Novel, FictionThemes Relationships: Fathers, Relationships: Daughters & Sons, Values/Ideas: Justice & Injustice, Values/Ideas: FateTags Historical Fiction, American Literature, Relationships, History: U.S., Modern Classic Fiction, Classic Fiction

American Pastoral (1997) by Philip Roth examines in detail one man’s quest for the American dream and the fragility of the entire enterprise. Roth, one of the most critically acclaimed novelists of the 20th century, focuses his narrative microscope through the eyes of Nathan Zuckerman, his literary alter ego from whose perspective he has written 10 other novels, including Zuckerman Unbound (1981), The Anatomy Lesson (1983), The Human Stain (2000), and The Plot Against America... Read American Pastoral Summary


Publication year 1985Genre Book, NonfictionThemes Society: Community, Society: Education, Values/Ideas: Science & Technology, Society: Politics & Government, Values/Ideas: Religion & SpiritualityTags Sociology, Education, Science / Nature, History: World, Psychology, Psychology, Philosophy, Arts / Culture, Politics / Government, Philosophy, Technology, Information Age, Education

Amusing Ourselves to Death: Public Discourse in the Age of Show Business is a nonfiction book by Neil Postman, published in 1985. Postman was a professor of education and communication at New York University with a special interest in the role of technology and media in society. He earned a bachelor’s degree from the State University of New York in Fredonia and a master’s degree and doctorate from the Teachers College of Columbia University. In... Read Amusing Ourselves to Death Summary


Publication year 1993Genre Play, FictionThemes Identity: Sexuality, Identity: Mental Health, Values/Ideas: Religion & SpiritualityTags Play: Drama, LGBTQ, History: U.S.

Angels in America: A Gay Fantasia on National Themes by the American playwright Tony Kushner is an epic story that spans two plays – Millennium Approaches, first produced in 1991, and Perestroika, which debuted in 1992. The entire two-part work premiered on Broadway in 1993. Angels in America is Kushner’s most well-known work and is widely considered to be one of the greatest and most significant American plays of the 20th century. Angels in America... Read Angels in America Summary


Publication year 1985Genre Novel, FictionThemes Identity: Femininity, Life/Time: Coming of Age, Relationships: Family, Relationships: Mothers, Society: ColonialismTags Classic Fiction, Coming of Age / Bildungsroman, Education, Education, History: World, Historical Fiction

Annie John, published in 1985, is the second book by the Antiguan American author Jamaica Kincaid (née Elaine Cynthia Potter Richardson). Annie John is a coming-of-age novel that follows the life of a young girl from age 10 to 17, until she leaves her home in Antigua, bound for nursing school in England. In the novel, Annie describes her most important relationships, and the bond with her mother is chief among them. Life is heaven... Read Annie John Summary


Publication year 1938Genre Novella, FictionThemes Values/Ideas: Good & Evil, Values/Ideas: Equality, Society: Politics & Government, Society: Community, Self DiscoveryTags Science-Fiction / Dystopian Fiction, Classic Fiction, Psychological Fiction, Philosophy, Education, Education, Philosophy, Politics / Government

Anthem is a short novella written by Ayn Rand and published in 1938. Rand is known for her polarizing fiction, which includes the well-known novels Atlas Shrugged and The Fountainhead. She is also known as the founder of a controversial philosophy known as Objectivism. In 1987, Anthem won the Libertarian Futurist Society’s Hall of Fame Award. Since its publication, the novella has been met with mixed reviews due to the controversy around its Objectivist themes... Read Anthem Summary


Publication year 1980Genre Book, NonfictionThemes Society: Colonialism, Society: Class, Society: Immigration, Society: Community, Society: Economics, Emotions/Behavior: Hate & Anger, Emotions/Behavior: Determination / Perseverance, Emotions/Behavior: Conflict, Values/Ideas: Safety & Danger, Values/Ideas: Justice & Injustice, Values/Ideas: Equality, Values/Ideas: Power & GreedTags History: U.S., Politics / Government, Social Justice, Race / Racism, American Literature, History: World, Classic Fiction

Howard Zinn’s A People’s History of the United States is one of the most famous American history books published in recent decades. It has sold over two million copies. First published in 1980, the book was nominated for the American Book Award and has gone through at least six major revisions. Although controversial when first published, the book has become comfortably mainstream. It is mentioned by name in the film Good Will Hunting and the... Read A People’s History of the United States Summary


Publication year 1970Genre Novel, FictionThemes Life/Time: Coming of Age, Values/Ideas: Religion & Spirituality, Self Discovery, Society: Community, Relationships: Mothers, Relationships: Grandparents, Relationships: FriendshipTags Realistic Fiction, Children's Literature, Modern Classic Fiction, Classic Fiction

Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret is a 1970 middle-grade novel by bestselling American author Judy Blume. The story focuses on 11-year-old Margaret Ann Simon and her family’s move to New Jersey at the beginning of her sixth-grade year. As Margaret navigates her new public school and new friend dynamics, she struggles to form a positive self-image about her changing body and starts exploring her religious beliefs. Although it was not Blume’s first novel... Read Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret Summary


Publication year 1957Genre Novel, FictionThemes Society: Economics, Society: Politics & Government, Values/Ideas: Power & GreedTags Science-Fiction / Dystopian Fiction, Classic Fiction, Philosophy, Business / Economics, Philosophy, Politics / Government

The novel Atlas Shrugged (1957) was written by Russian American author Ayn Rand. Widely considered to be the author’s magnum opus, Atlas Shrugged is a divisive text that has remained popular in the public consciousness despite harsh criticism from academics and philosophers across the political spectrum. Set in a dystopian US wherein the collectivist government bureaucracy has a stranglehold on industry, the narrative follows protagonist Dagny Taggart as she fights to defend her family’s transcontinental... Read Atlas Shrugged Summary


Publication year 1983Genre Short Story, FictionThemes Relationships: Mothers, Relationships: Daughters & Sons, Life/Time: Mortality & Death, Self Discovery, Values/Ideas: ArtTags Prose poetry, Post Modernism, Women's Studies (Nonfiction), Gender / Feminism, Classic Fiction

Publication year 2024Genre Book, NonfictionThemes Society: Nation, Society: Politics & Government, Values/Ideas: Order & Chaos, Values/Ideas: Power & Greed

Publication year 1955Genre Play, FictionThemes Society: Immigration, Identity: Masculinity, Society: Community, Values/Ideas: Loyalty & BetrayalTags Play: Drama, Play: Tragedy, Drama / Tragedy, Education, Education, American Literature, History: World, Classic Fiction

A View from the Bridge is a two-act play by American playwright Arthur Miller. Originally staged as a one-act on Broadway in 1955, Miller expanded the play to two acts and re-debuted the final version in London in 1956. Ten major revivals have been staged in New York, Chicago, Washington, DC, London, and Manchester since then. The play has received drama awards, including multiple Tonys, and has been adapted as feature films, TV movies, and... Read A View from the Bridge Summary


Publication year 2007Genre Book, NonfictionThemes Society: Colonialism, Society: Class, Society: Nation, Values/Ideas: Power & Greed, Values/Ideas: Truth & Lies, Society: Community, Society: Globalization, Society: War, Identity: Race, Society: Politics & Government, Society: Economics, Society: ImmigrationTags History: U.S., Social Justice, Politics / Government, Children's Literature, Education, Education, History: World

Publication year 2007Genre Autobiography / Memoir, NonfictionThemes Relationships: FamilyTags Addiction / Substance Abuse, Parenting, Psychology, Psychology, Biography, Mental Illness

Published in 2008, David Sheff’s memoir, Beautiful Boy, explores his experiences of coming to terms with his son’s addiction to methamphetamine. Sheff and his wife Vicki are overjoyed when they have their son, Nic. For the first three years, they live a happy, contented life, providing Nic with everything he needs. However, when Sheff and Vicki's marriage collapses, Nic, now aged three, is deeply affected by the change. This worsens when Sheff and Vicki move... Read Beautiful Boy Summary


Publication year 2020Genre Autobiography / Memoir, NonfictionThemes Values/Ideas: Equality, Society: Community, Society: Education, Society: Politics & Government, Identity: DisabilityTags Disability, Social Justice, History: U.S., Politics / Government, History: World, Biography

Publication year 1970Genre Novel, FictionThemes Society: Politics & Government, Natural World: Appearance & RealityTags Satire, Humor, American Literature, Politics / Government, History: World, Philosophy, Philosophy, Classic Fiction

Polish-born author Jerzy Kosiński (1933-1991) wrote Being There, published in 1970. The novella satirizes mid-20th-century politics and culture, focusing on the twin pillars of bureaucracy and the media as vehicles for the deterioration of modern thought. Kosiński grew up in Soviet-controlled Poland and came to the United States in 1957. In 1958, he was awarded a Ford Foundation fellowship. He studied at the New School and Columbia University in New York, where he received a... Read Being There Summary


Publication year 1929Genre Short Story, FictionThemes Values/Ideas: Beauty, Identity: Femininity, Relationships: Marriage, Identity: Mental HealthTags Relationships, Depression / Suicide, Modern Classic Fiction, Mental Illness, Addiction / Substance Abuse, Humor, Classic Fiction

“Big Blonde” is a short story written by Dorothy Parker. It was first published in 1929 in The Bookman (a prestigious New York City literary magazine) and won the O. Henry competition for the best story that same year. It was later published in Parker’s 1930 short-story collection Laments for the Living.This study guide refers to the online flipbook version of “Big Blonde.”Content Warning: The source text contains references to domestic violence, alcohol addiction, and... Read Big Blonde Summary


Publication year 2004Genre Novel, FictionThemes Emotions/Behavior: Love, Emotions/Behavior: Courage, Emotions/Behavior: Determination / Perseverance, Emotions/Behavior: Grief, Emotions/Behavior: Hope, Emotions/Behavior: Loneliness, Life/Time: Mortality & Death, Life/Time: The Past, Natural World: Animals, Natural World: Appearance & Reality, Natural World: Flora/plants, Natural World: Place, Relationships: Family, Values/Ideas: Beauty, Values/Ideas: Fate, Values/Ideas: Good & EvilTags Historical Fiction, Magical Realism, History: World, Romance, Fantasy

Published in 2004, Alice Hoffman’s novel Blackbird House chronicles a house on Cape Cod, Massachusetts, and its inhabitants over a 200-year span. The story, which invokes elements of magical realism, begins during the War of 1812 and ends in the present day. Shifting between first-person and third-person point-of-view, the novel delves into the themes of Love as Motivation, Resilience Resulting from Adversity, and The Power of Place in Shaping Lives.This guide refers to the 2005... Read Blackbird House Summary


Publication year 1978Genre Poem, FictionThemes Natural World: Environment, Natural World: ObjectsTags Science / Nature, Confessional

Publication year 1962Genre Poem, FictionTags Lyric Poem, Free verse, Social Justice, Civil Rights / Jim Crow, Cold War, American Literature

Publication year 1974Genre Novel, FictionThemes Relationships: FriendshipTags Bullying, Realistic Fiction, Coming of Age / Bildungsroman, Children's Literature, Trauma / Abuse / Violence, Modern Classic Fiction, Classic Fiction

Publication year 1925Genre Novel, FictionThemes Relationships: Family, Relationships: Fathers, Society: Immigration, Values/Ideas: Equality, Values/Ideas: Religion & SpiritualityTags Historical Fiction, Immigration / Refugee, Jewish Literature, Education, Education, History: World, Classic Fiction, Religion / Spirituality

Bread Givers is a 1925 novel by Anzia Yezierska. As a Jewish-American who emigrated to America from Poland, Yezierska uses her life experience growing up in New York as a basis for the novel. The novel follows Sara Smolinsky, a Jewish-American girl, as she grows up in New York in the 1920s with her sisters. Sara pushes the bounds of her father Reb Smolinsky’s patriarchal belief system as she pursues an education and career. The... Read Bread Givers Summary


Publication year 2011Genre Novel, FictionThemes Values/Ideas: Power & Greed, Life/Time: Coming of Age, Society: Politics & Government, Values/Ideas: Justice & Injustice, Values/Ideas: Loyalty & BetrayalTags Historical Fiction, Coming of Age / Bildungsroman, Russian Literature, Children's Literature, Education, Education, History: World

Publication year 1984Genre Play, FictionThemes Life/Time: Coming of Age, Relationships: Family, Relationships: Fathers, Relationships: SiblingsTags Play: Drama, Play: Comedy / Satire, Auto/Biographical Fiction, Love / Sexuality, Great Depression, WWII / World War II, Poverty, Relationships, Religion / Spirituality, Education, Education, American Literature, Drama / Tragedy, Humor, Classic Fiction

Brighton Beach Memoirs is a semi-autobiographical play by American playwright Neil Simon. It is the first play in Simon’s Eugene Trilogy and follows its young protagonist as he grapples with adolescence and identity in the midst of the Great Depression. Its initial 1983 Broadway run enjoyed critical acclaim and won several awards. Most notably, actor Matthew Broderick won a Tony Award for Best Featured Actor for originating the role of Eugene. Despite its initial success... Read Brighton Beach Memoirs Summary


Publication year 2010Genre Novel, FictionThemes Relationships: Friendship, Relationships: Family, Life/Time: Coming of Age, Relationships: Marriage, Relationships: Siblings, Self DiscoveryTags Fantasy, Trauma / Abuse / Violence, Realistic Fiction, Modern Classic Fiction, Romance, Religion / Spirituality

Bruiser by Neal Shusterman, first published in 2010, is a young adult novel. It explores the life of Brewster “Bruiser” Rawlins, a high school student who has the ability to take pain away from those he cares about. Through his supernatural ability, the novel explores themes of Finding Emotional Balance, The Complications of Empathy, and The Dangers of Excessive Dependence on Others. Shusterman is the author of dozens of young adult novels, short stories, and works... Read Bruiser Summary


Publication year 2007Genre Novel, FictionThemes Emotions/Behavior: Love, Life/Time: The Past, Life/Time: Childhood & Youth, Identity: LanguageTags Romance, LGBTQ, Coming of Age / Bildungsroman, Modern Classic Fiction

IntroductionCall Me By Your Name by André Aciman is a piece of literary fiction in the subgenres of romance literature and queer literature. Published in 2007, the novel became a bestseller, received positive critical reception, and won the 2008  Lambda Literary Award for Gay Fiction. The 2017 film adaptation of Call Me By Your Name, directed by Luca Guadagnino and starring Timothée Chalamet and Armie Hammer, won, among other accolades, the Academy Award for Best... Read Call Me By Your Name Summary


Publication year 2014Genre Graphic Memoir , NonfictionThemes Relationships: Family, Life/Time: Aging, Emotions/Behavior: Apathy, Emotions/Behavior: Conflict, Emotions/Behavior: Forgiveness, Emotions/Behavior: Gratitude, Emotions/Behavior: Grief, Emotions/Behavior: Guilt, Emotions/Behavior: Love, Emotions/Behavior: Memory, Emotions/Behavior: Regret, Identity: Mental Health, Life/Time: Mortality & DeathTags Humor, Grief / Death, Biography

Publication year 2020Genre Novel, FictionThemes Values/Ideas: Fate, Values/Ideas: Good & Evil, Values/Ideas: Loyalty & Betrayal, Society: CommunityTags Fantasy, Romance, Historical Fiction, LGBTQ, Gender / Feminism, Coming of Age / Bildungsroman, History: World, Religion / Spirituality

Publication year 2008Genre Novel, FictionThemes Life/Time: Coming of Age, Relationships: Family, Values/Ideas: Good & Evil, Values/Ideas: Power & GreedTags Fantasy, Romance, Science-Fiction / Dystopian Fiction, Religion / Spirituality

City of Ashes (2008) by Cassandra Clare is the second novel in the six-part Mortal Instruments series. The book follows 16-year-old Clary Fray, who has recently discovered that she is not an ordinary mortal, but a Shadowhunter, part of a group who saves the world from demons. In City of Bones (2007) the first book of the series, Clary also learned that she is the daughter of rogue Shadowhunter Valentine Morgenstern and that her romantic... Read City of Ashes Summary


Publication year 2007Genre Novel, FictionThemes Emotions/Behavior: Love, Emotions/Behavior: Revenge, Natural World: Appearance & RealityTags Fantasy, Science-Fiction / Dystopian Fiction, Religion / Spirituality, Romance, Action / Adventure, Class, Love / Sexuality, LGBTQ, Gender / Feminism, Grief / Death

City of Bones by Cassandra Clare (Margaret K. McElderry Books, 2007) is the first in the Mortal Instruments series of young adult urban fantasy novels, followed by City of Ashes. The book follows a seemingly ordinary 15-year-old girl as she learns she is descended from an ancient race of demon hunters. City of Bones is a New York Times bestseller and inspired several media adaptations, including a graphic novel of the same name (3rd World... Read City of Bones Summary


Publication year 2007Genre Novel, FictionThemes Emotions/Behavior: Courage, Emotions/Behavior: Guilt, Values/Ideas: Truth & Lies, Relationships: Friendship, Relationships: Daughters & Sons, Relationships: SiblingsTags Fantasy, Action / Adventure, Romance, Grief / Death, Love / Sexuality, Science-Fiction / Dystopian Fiction, Religion / Spirituality

City of Glass by Cassandra Clare (Walker Books, 2009) is the third installment of the young adult urban fantasy Mortal Instruments series and chronicles an epic Shadowhunter battle against an old foe’s return. City of Glass was a finalist for the Teen Choice Book of the Year and for the 2009 Goodreads Choice Awards. Clare was born in Iran to American parents. She spent several years traveling before she settled in the United States, where... Read City of Glass Summary


Publication year 2010Genre Novel, FictionThemes Emotions/Behavior: Love, Identity: Gender, Values/Ideas: Good & EvilTags Fantasy, Religion / Spirituality, Romance, Historical Fiction, Science-Fiction / Dystopian Fiction, Addiction / Substance Abuse

Clockwork Angel is the first book in Cassandra Clare’s historical fantasy trilogy The Infernal Devices, a prequel to the internationally bestselling series The Mortal Instruments. Clockwork Angel was first published in 2010, followed by Clockwork Prince in 2011 and Clockwork Princess in 2013. The trilogy follows Theresa (Tessa) Gray, an American girl in Victorian London, who discovers she is a member of the Shadow World, the hidden world of supernatural creatures, angels, and demons. Clockwork... Read Clockwork Angel Summary


Publication year 1980Genre Book, NonfictionThemes Natural World: Space & The Universe, Natural World: Environment, Natural World: Place, Emotions/Behavior: Determination / Perseverance, Emotions/Behavior: Hope, Values/Ideas: Science & Technology, Values/Ideas: Truth & Lies, Society: Education, Society: Globalization, Society: WarTags Science / Nature, History: World, Philosophy, Philosophy, Classic Fiction

Publication year 2013Genre Novel, FictionThemes Identity: Gender, Identity: Disability, Relationships: FamilyTags Realistic Fiction, Children's Literature, Disability, Grief / Death, Modern Classic Fiction

Counting by 7s is Holly Goldberg Sloan's first middle-grade novel, published in 2013. A New York Times bestseller, this contemporary story draws upon themes relevant to Sloan's own life. The novel is set in present-day Bakersfield, California, which Sloan says is “emblematic of the characters,” in the sense that it is “often overlooked.” Sloan's subsequent novels include Short (2017) and The Elephant in the Room (2021).Plot SummaryThe novel's protagonist is 12-year-old Willow Chance, a “highly... Read Counting by 7s Summary


Publication year 2011Genre Book, NonfictionThemes Society: Economics, Emotions/Behavior: Conflict, Society: CommunityTags History: World, Business / Economics, Finance / Money / Wealth, Anthropology, Sociology, Anthropology, Philosophy, Philosophy, Politics / Government

Publication year 1973Genre Poem, FictionThemes Identity: GenderTags Gender / Feminism, Lyric Poem, Women's Studies (Nonfiction), American Literature, History: World, LGBTQ, Classic Fiction

“Diving into the Wreck” is the title poem of Adrienne Rich’s 1973 National Book Award-winning collection. A 94-line, ten stanza free verse poem, the work encompasses Rich’s thematic concerns of radical feminism and art and examines how gender functions within the larger context of culture, literature, and oral tradition.Rich’s mid-career poem came about during a period of intense change in her life. While her earlier poems had been more traditional in form and topic, over... Read Diving into the Wreck Summary


Publication year 2021Genre Novel, FictionThemes Emotions/Behavior: Love, Identity: Gender, Relationships: Family, Self DiscoveryTags History: World, Historical Fiction, Romance, Humor, Coming of Age / Bildungsroman, Gender / Feminism, Relationships

Publication year 2002Genre Novel, FictionThemes Relationships: Family, Relationships: Siblings, Self DiscoveryTags Humor, Realistic Fiction, Children's Literature, Modern Classic Fiction

Double Fudge (2002) is the fifth and final book in the popular children’s series by bestselling American author Judy Blume. The Fudge series begins with Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing and includes Superfudge, Fudge-a-Mania, and Otherwise Known as Sheila the Great. The Fudge series was published across three decades and follows the lives of the Hatcher family, and most of the novels feature Peter Hatcher and his younger brother Fudge, who is always getting... Read Double Fudge Summary


Publication year 1999Genre Novel, FictionThemes Emotions/Behavior: Conflict, Life/Time: Coming of Age, Self Discovery, Values/Ideas: Truth & LiesTags Science-Fiction / Dystopian Fiction, Children's Literature, Fantasy, Romance, Action / Adventure

Publication year 1979Genre Poem, FictionThemes Life/Time: Aging, Emotions/Behavior: Memory, Emotions/Behavior: Love, Emotions/Behavior: Grief, Emotions/Behavior: Determination / Perseverance, Emotions/Behavior: Nostalgia, Natural World: Animals, Natural World: Place, Natural World: Appearance & RealityTags Lyric Poem, Grief / Death

Publication year 2019Genre Book, NonfictionThemes Society: Community, Emotions/Behavior: Fear, Society: Class, Society: Economics, Society: Education, Society: Politics & Government, Values/Ideas: Power & GreedTags Education, Education, History: World, Politics / Government, Race / Racism, Sociology, Social Justice, Health / Medicine

Publication year 2009Genre Book, NonfictionThemes Natural World: EnvironmentTags Food, Philosophy, Animals, Health / Medicine, Science / Nature, Philosophy

Eating Animals is a nonfiction book written by Jonathan Safran Foer and published originally in 2009. Foer is an accomplished novelist, and Eating Animals is his first foray into long-form nonfiction writing. The book fits into a genre of criticism of the food industry, specifically factory farming and animal welfare. Eating Animals is a New York Times bestseller, though it met with mixed reviews regarding both the content and style of Foer’s writing. In 2018... Read Eating Animals Summary


Publication year 2015Genre Novel, FictionThemes Life/Time: Coming of AgeTags Horror / Thriller / Suspense Fiction, Psychological Fiction, Mystery / Crime Fiction, Historical Fiction, Coming of Age / Bildungsroman, Modern Classic Fiction

Eileen by Ottessa Moshfegh was published in 2015 and won the PEN/Hemingway award for debut fiction. The novel is set in 1964. It follows the story of Eileen, a woman planning to escape her life in the New England town of X-ville. Eileen is characterized by self-loathing, depression, and body dysmorphia, all of which developed due to her abusive and neglectful childhood. Before she leaves X-ville forever, Eileen must come to terms with her own... Read Eileen Summary


Publication year 2023Genre Book, NonfictionThemes Values/Ideas: Science & Technology, Relationships: Fathers, Values/Ideas: Power & GreedTags Business / Economics, Science / Nature, Leadership/Organization/Management, History: World, Biography

Publication year 1995Genre Book, NonfictionThemes Identity: Mental Health, Values/Ideas: Science & Technology, Society: EducationTags Self Help, Psychology, Leadership/Organization/Management, Science / Nature, Business / Economics, Relationships, Psychology

In Emotional Intelligence: Why It Can Matter More Than IQ, Daniel Goleman discusses how The Components of Emotional Intelligence, like self-awareness, empathy, and social skills, shape an individual’s life. He explores key themes, such as The Impact of Emotional Intelligence on Personal and Professional Success, The Relationship Between Emotional Intelligence and Traditional IQ, and Emotional Intelligence Affecting Mental Health and Interpersonal Relationships. This guide refers to the 1995 Bantam Books hardcover edition. Content Warning: The... Read Emotional Intelligence: Why It Can Matter More Than IQ Summary


Publication year 1941Genre Book, NonfictionThemes Society: CommunityTags Psychology, Sociology, History: World, Psychology, Philosophy, Philosophy, Classic Fiction, Politics / Government

Escape From Freedom is a book of social psychology written by Erich Fromm in 1941. A German-Jewish psychoanalyst, Fromm had been a member of Frankfurt’s influential Institute for Social Research before fleeing the Nazis and relocating to the United States. In Escape From Freedom, Fromm uses ideas from both psychology and sociology to explain humanity’s ambivalent relation to freedom, with a particular attention paid to the rise of Nazism in Germany. The first two chapters of... Read Escape From Freedom Summary


Publication year 2006Genre Novel, FictionThemes Life/Time: Mortality & Death, Relationships: Friendship, Relationships: Siblings, Self DiscoveryTags Fantasy, Action / Adventure, Science-Fiction / Dystopian Fiction, Grief / Death, Religion / Spirituality

Best-selling and award-winning novelist Neal Shusterman published the fantasy novel Everlost in 2006. It is the first novel in the young adult Skinjacker trilogy, which also includes Everwild (2009) and Everfound (2011). Everlost explores what might lie between life and death and incorporates a rich cast of characters, all of whom are children. The novel has won multiple awards and distinctions, including being included among the 2009 Garden State Teen Book Award nominees and the... Read Everlost Summary


Publication year 2002Genre Novel, FictionThemes Relationships: Family, Emotions/Behavior: MemoryTags Auto/Biographical Fiction, Historical Fiction, Holocaust, Jewish Literature, WWII / World War II, Modern Classic Fiction, History: World, Magical Realism

Everything is Illuminated, Jonathan Safran Foer’s first book, was originally published by Houghton Mifflin in 2002. A portion of the book had been published previously in The New Yorker. The novel won several awards, including the National Jewish Book Award, the Guardian First Book Award, and the Young Lions Fiction Award. The book received rave reviews but also received some criticism for its fictional portrayal of historical events. In response to this criticism, Safran Foer... Read Everything Is Illuminated Summary


Publication year 2014Genre Book, NonfictionThemes Society: CommunityTags Sociology, Education, Education, History: World, Parenting, Psychology, Psychology, Philosophy, Philosophy, Politics / Government

William Deresiewicz’s 2014 nonfiction book Excellent Sheep: The Miseducation of the American Elite and the Way to a Meaningful Life examines elite education in America in the 21st century and finds it sorely lacking. By “elite education,” Deresiewicz is referring to the Ivy League schools and a handful of top-tier universities just below the Ivy League. Having spent over two decades in the Ivies as both a student and professor, Deresiewicz speaks from his own... Read Excellent Sheep Summary


Publication year 1958Genre Novel, FictionThemes Society: Nation, Emotions/Behavior: Determination / Perseverance, Identity: Race, Society: Immigration, Society: WarTags Historical Fiction, Jewish Literature, Military / War, WWII / World War II, History: World, Classic Fiction, Religion / Spirituality

Exodus (1958) is a historical novel by the Jewish American author Leon Uris. The novel follows the multigenerational story of a Jewish family in Palestine, giving the sweep of Jewish history from the First Aliyah in the 1880s to the modern state of Israel’s establishment in 1948. It focuses its greatest attention on the years from 1946 to 1948, following a group of Jewish agents and refugees as they first attempt to transport immigrants to... Read Exodus Summary


Publication year 2005Genre Novel, FictionThemes Emotions/Behavior: Grief, Emotions/Behavior: Loneliness, Relationships: Family, Society: WarTags Historical Fiction, Coming of Age / Bildungsroman, Drama / Tragedy, Grief / Death, Trauma / Abuse / Violence, September 11 Attacks, Modern Classic Fiction

Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close is a realistic fiction novel written by Jonathan Safran Foer and based on the September 11 terrorist attacks that occurred in New York City in 2001. The novel was originally published in 2005. Its characters grapple with Fear of Death and Loss as an Obstacle to Living, The Complex Nature of Relationships, The Importance of Little Things, and The Influence of the Past on the Present. This guide uses the... Read Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close Summary


Publication year 1964Genre Play, FictionTags Jewish Literature, Drama / Tragedy, Historical Fiction, Music, Humor, Classic Fiction

Fiddler on the Roof, a musical with a score by Jerry Bock, lyrics by Sheldon Harnick, and a libretto by Joseph Stein, first opened on Broadway in 1964. The play is based on an amalgam of stories written by Solomon NaumovichRabinovich under the pen name Sholem Aleichem, which is Hebrew for “peace be unto you.” The musical takes place on a fictional Russian shtetl, or Jewish village, called Anatevka during the reign of Tsar Nicholas... Read Fiddler on the Roof Summary


Publication year 2019Genre Autobiography / Memoir, NonfictionThemes Relationships: Family, Life/Time: Childhood & Youth, Life/Time: Mortality & DeathTags Inspirational, Parenting, Religion / Spirituality, Biography

Publication year 2019Genre Novel, FictionThemes Emotions/Behavior: Love, Life/Time: Mortality & Death, Life/Time: The Past, Life/Time: Aging, Identity: Sexuality, Relationships: FamilyTags Romance, LGBTQ

Publication year 2016Genre Novel, FictionThemes Identity: Gender, Society: War, Values/Ideas: Truth & LiesTags Horror / Thriller / Suspense Fiction, Mystery / Crime Fiction

Publication year 2013Genre Novel, FictionThemes Life/Time: Coming of Age, Life/Time: The Future, Natural World: Appearance & Reality, Relationships: Friendship, Relationships: Teams, Values/Ideas: Fame, Values/Ideas: Win & LoseTags Children's Literature, Realistic Fiction, Sports, Modern Classic Fiction, Action / Adventure

Publication year 1951Genre Novel, FictionThemes Values/Ideas: Religion & Spirituality, Values/Ideas: Science & Technology, Natural World: Space & The UniverseTags Science-Fiction / Dystopian Fiction, Classic Fiction, Fantasy

First published in 1951, Isaac Asimov’s space saga Foundation tells the story of a secretive science institute that tries to save a galactic empire from the worst effects of its coming collapse. Four of the five interrelated stories comprising the novel appeared in Astounding Science Fiction between 1942 and 1944. The book and its sequels set a high standard for speculative fiction and exerted a major influence on later science fiction works, including the Star... Read Foundation Summary


Publication year 1961Genre Short Story Collection, FictionThemes Relationships: Siblings, Emotions/Behavior: Hope, Emotions/Behavior: Loneliness, Emotions/Behavior: Grief, Values/Ideas: Religion & SpiritualityTags Classic Fiction, American Literature, History: World

Franny and Zooey is a 1961 book by J. D. Salinger. The book contains the 1955 short story Franny and the 1957 novella Zooey, both works that Salinger published separately in The New Yorker before he published them as a single book. J. D. Salinger is an American author most famous for his novel The Catcher in the Rye. The short story Franny follows Franny Glass as she visits her boyfriend Lane Coutell at school... Read Franny and Zooey Summary


Publication year 1978Genre Novel, FictionThemes Values/Ideas: Truth & Lies, Society: CommunityTags Realistic Fiction, Humor, Children's Literature, Education, Education, Classic Fiction

Publication year 1989Genre Autobiography / Memoir, NonfictionThemes Society: Nation, Society: Politics & Government, Society: War, Values/Ideas: Justice & Injustice, Values/Ideas: Order & Chaos, Values/Ideas: Safety & DangerTags Jewish Literature, Military / War, Journalism, History: World, Travel Literature, Politics / Government

From Beirut to Jerusalem is a 1989 book by the American journalist Thomas Friedman. It chronicles the years he spent as a journalist in the two cities of the book’s name, during a remarkably tumultuous period in that region’s politics. It is part personal memoir, part analysis (leaning on the advice of many of his expert friends, such as Fouad Ajami), part collection of anecdotes ranging from the funny to the heartbreaking to the absurd... Read From Beirut to Jerusalem Summary


Publication year 1967Genre Novel, FictionThemes Life/Time: Childhood & Youth, Life/Time: Coming of Age, Relationships: Siblings, Values/Ideas: ArtTags Classic Fiction, Children's Literature, Mystery / Crime Fiction, Action / Adventure, Education, Education, Realistic Fiction

From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler is a 1967 children’s novel by E. L. Konigsburg. With elements of mystery and adventure, the novel follows two children who run away from home to hide out in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, where they are drawn into a mystery involving a newly acquired sculpture, even as they learn about themselves and the world around them. Praised for its humor and characters, the novel won... Read From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler Summary


Publication year 1990Genre Novel, FictionThemes Relationships: Family, Life/Time: Coming of Age, Life/Time: Childhood & YouthTags Children's Literature, Realistic Fiction, Humor, Modern Classic Fiction

Publication year 2015Genre Novel, FictionThemes Natural World: Environment, Relationships: Friendship, Society: Community, Emotions/Behavior: Fear, Natural World: Food, Natural World: Animals, Emotions/Behavior: Determination / Perseverance, Society: Education, Society: Globalization, Emotions/Behavior: Loneliness, Self Discovery, Life/Time: The Future, Society: Politics & Government, Values/Ideas: Science & Technology, Values/Ideas: Order & Chaos, Values/Ideas: Safety & DangerTags Science-Fiction / Dystopian Fiction, Action / Adventure, Horror / Thriller / Suspense Fiction, Survival Fiction, Natural Disaster, Science / Nature, Children's Literature, Mystery / Crime Fiction, Realistic Fiction

In Newbery medalist Louis Sachar’s sci-fi thriller Fuzzy Mud (2015), Tamaya and Marshall cut through the restricted woods behind their school to avoid a bully—but encounter a strange mud that has the potential to destroy nearly all life on Earth. While Marshall struggles with the emotional effects of being bullied, Tamaya develops an unusually aggressive rash from the mud and worries that in protecting Marshall she has gravely injured Chad. Each character faces difficult ethical... Read Fuzzy Mud Summary


Publication year 2021Genre Novel, FictionThemes Emotions/Behavior: Apathy, Life/Time: Coming of Age, Self DiscoveryTags Science-Fiction / Dystopian Fiction, Fantasy, Sports, LGBTQ, Race / Racism, Modern Classic Fiction

Publication year 1953Genre Short Story, FictionThemes Values/Ideas: Religion & Spirituality, Society: Community, Values/Ideas: Loyalty & Betrayal, Emotions/Behavior: Forgiveness, Relationships: Marriage, Values/Ideas: Truth & Lies

Publication year 1993Genre Autobiography / Memoir, NonfictionThemes Identity: Mental Health, Life/Time: The Past, Identity: Femininity, Emotions/Behavior: Shame & Pride, Identity: Gender, Life/Time: Mortality & Death, Emotions/Behavior: Memory, Values/Ideas: Science & TechnologyTags Depression / Suicide, Mental Illness, Psychology, Gender / Feminism, Addiction / Substance Abuse, Health / Medicine, Trauma / Abuse / Violence, Modern Classic Fiction, Psychology, Classic Fiction, Biography

Susanna Kaysen’s 1993, Girl, Interrupted, is a memoir that explores Kaysen’s time as a teenage psychiatric patient in McLean Hospital in the late 1960s. Kaysen explores the murky definitions of mental health and illness, as she recounters her experience of being diagnosed with Borderline Personality Disorder and makes compelling arguments about the subjective nature of personality, behavior, and disorder. Girl, Interrupted is a bestselling book and was adapted into the 1999 film starring Winona Ryder... Read Girl, Interrupted Summary


Publication year 2016Genre Book, NonfictionThemes Identity: Sexuality, Identity: Femininity, Life/Time: Coming of AgeTags Gender / Feminism, Parenting, Psychology, Love / Sexuality, LGBTQ, Women's Studies (Nonfiction), Sociology, Psychology, Self Help

Publication year 2022Genre Reference/Text Book, NonfictionThemes Identity: Race, Society: Colonialism, Society: Nation, Society: Politics & Government, Society: War, Values/Ideas: Equality, Values/Ideas: Justice & InjusticeTags Education, Education, History: U.S., History: World

Publication year 1983Genre Play, FictionThemes Values/Ideas: Truth & Lies, Identity: Masculinity, Society: Economics, Emotions/Behavior: ConflictTags Play: Drama, Play: Comedy / Satire, American Literature, Education, Education, History: World, Drama / Tragedy, Classic Fiction

The “coffee is for closers” line is considered one of the most iconic moments from playwright David Mamet’s entire oeuvre (Glengarry Glen Ross. Directed by James Foley, New Line Cinema, 1992). However, the line is actually nowhere to be found in the playscript for Glengarry Glenn Ross, which premiered at the National Theatre in London in 1983 and debuted on Broadway in 1984. Rather, it appears in the 1992 film adaptation, with a screenplay that... Read Glengarry Glen Ross Summary


Publication year 2007Genre Book, NonfictionThemes Values/Ideas: Good & Evil, Values/Ideas: Religion & Spirituality, Society: Politics & GovernmentTags Religion / Spirituality, Philosophy, Sociology, Science / Nature, History: World, Philosophy, Politics / Government

God Is Not Great: How Religion Poisons Everything (2007) is a polemical text by English writer Christopher Hitchens. The author argues that religion is a cultural construct that represses people more than it liberates them. He examines religion’s role in sexuality, science, and human dignity and posits that organized religion rarely (if ever) benefits humanity at large. Hitchens was a noted columnist and contributing editor to Vanity Fair magazine.Its themes include mass delusions, the misogyny... Read God Is Not Great Summary


Publication year 1959Genre Short Story Collection, FictionThemes Emotions/Behavior: Nostalgia, Identity: Race, Life/Time: Coming of Age, Relationships: Family, Society: Class, Values/Ideas: Religion & SpiritualityTags Relationships, Class, Jewish Literature, History: U.S., American Literature, History: World, Classic Fiction

Goodbye, Columbus is Philip Roth’s first work of literary fiction, consisting of six short stories, published on May 7, 1959. The book won the National Book Award in 1960 and is the first of many popular and successful works of fiction by Roth. Like his other novels and short stories, many of the stories occur in and around Roth’s birthplace of Newark, New Jersey, exploring the Jewish experience in the US. Roth is known for... Read Goodbye Columbus Summary


Publication year 2017Genre Biography, NonfictionTags Politics / Government, History: U.S., American Civil War, Military / War, History: World, Biography

Publication year 2003Genre Book, NonfictionThemes Emotions/Behavior: Memory, Society: Class, Society: Politics & Government, Values/Ideas: Justice & Injustice, Values/Ideas: Power & GreedTags History: European, History: World, Military / War, Politics / Government, Incarceration, Russian Literature

Publication year 1970Genre Biography, NonfictionThemes Society: Economics, Emotions/Behavior: Memory, Society: Class, Emotions/Behavior: Shame & Pride, Identity: Race, Emotions/Behavior: LonelinessTags History: U.S., Great Depression, Poverty, Depression / Suicide, American Literature, Business / Economics, Sociology, History: World, Biography, Politics / Government

Publication year 2009Genre Biography, NonfictionThemes Values/Ideas: Religion & Spirituality, Society: Community, Emotions/Behavior: Hope, Life/Time: Aging, Life/Time: Mortality & DeathTags Religion / Spirituality, Inspirational, Biography

Have a Little Faith: A True Story is a 2009 nonfiction book by American journalist and author Mitch Albom. The book can be classified as an inspirational memoir, as it centers on the author’s interactions with two faith leaders, one Jewish and one Christian, over an eight-year period. In 2011, Have a Little Faith was adapted into a made-for-television film starring Laurence Fishburne, Martin Landau, and Bradley Whitford. This study guide refers to the 2009... Read Have a Little Faith: A True Story Summary


Publication year 2023Genre Novel, FictionThemes Values/Ideas: Power & Greed, Values/Ideas: Good & Evil, Natural World: Appearance & RealityTags Fantasy, Mystery / Crime Fiction, Horror / Thriller / Suspense Fiction, Modern Classic Fiction, Religion / Spirituality

Publication year 2016Genre Novel, FictionThemes Values/Ideas: Fame, Values/Ideas: Good & Evil, Values/Ideas: Power & GreedTags Horror / Thriller / Suspense Fiction, Mystery / Crime Fiction, Romance, Psychological Fiction, Modern Classic Fiction

Publication year 2017Genre Short Story Collection, FictionThemes Emotions/Behavior: Apathy, Emotions/Behavior: Loneliness, Life/Time: Childhood & Youth, Emotions/Behavior: Guilt, Identity: Gender, Identity: SexualityTags Psychological Fiction, Science-Fiction / Dystopian Fiction, American Literature, Modern Classic Fiction

Publication year 2018Genre Book, NonfictionThemes Society: CommunityTags Politics / Government, Social Science, Sociology, History: World, Philosophy, Philosophy

How Democracies Die (Crown, 2018) is a nonfiction book by political scientists Steven Levitsky and Daniel Ziblatt. The authors, who are both professors at Harvard, explore how American democracy is threatened by examining past examples of democratic breakdown. In doing so, they demonstrate how since the end of the Cold War, most democracies die not through violent overthrow of government but a gradual weakening of democratic norms and institutions. Using these insights from history, as... Read How Democracies Die Summary


Publication year 2023Genre Book, NonfictionThemes Emotions/Behavior: Apathy, Identity: Mental Health, Society: CommunityTags Psychology, Self Help, Relationships, Sociology, Leadership/Organization/Management, Philosophy

Publication year 1968Genre Book, NonfictionThemes Society: Education, Identity: Femininity, Identity: Gender, Identity: Indigenous, Identity: Masculinity, Identity: Mental Health, Identity: Race, Identity: Sexuality, Life/Time: Coming of Age, Self Discovery, Society: Colonialism, Society: Community, Values/Ideas: Science & TechnologyTags Philosophy, Psychology, Self Help, Parenting, Sociology

Publication year 1967Genre Short Story, FictionThemes Society: War, Values/Ideas: Science & Technology, Values/Ideas: Religion & SpiritualityTags Science-Fiction / Dystopian Fiction, Horror / Thriller / Suspense Fiction, Fantasy, Classic Fiction

“I Have No Mouth, and I Must Scream” is one of Harlan Ellison’s most enduring and popular short stories. It explores themes of dystopia, religion, and technological progress, as well as the dangers of technology. Ellison is a multiple Hugo and Nebula award-winning author and screenwriter whose work often tackles the darker, grittier sides of speculative and science fiction. “I Have No Mouth, and I Must Scream,” a story about a cruel artificial intelligence torturing... Read I Have No Mouth, and I Must Scream Summary


Publication year 1978Genre Book, NonfictionThemes Life/Time: Mortality & Death, Identity: Language, Identity: Mental HealthTags Health / Medicine, Philosophy, Science / Nature, Psychology, Disability, History: World, LGBTQ, Philosophy

Susan Sontag’s 1978 book Illness as Metaphor is an 87-page work of critical theory exploring the language we use to describe disease and its victims. The work was originally published in the New York Review of Books as three long-form essays. Sontag wrote Illness as Metaphor while undergoing treatment for breast cancer, though not mentioned in the text. This genre—critical theoretical examinations of social and cultural events or phenomena—was where Sontag established her reputation. Illness... Read Illness As Metaphor Summary


Publication year 2006Genre Novel, FictionThemes Values/Ideas: Religion & Spirituality, Values/Ideas: Power & Greed, Values/Ideas: Truth & LiesTags Historical Fiction, Fantasy, Jewish Literature, Romance, History: World, Religion / Spirituality

Publication year 2019Genre Autobiography / Memoir, NonfictionThemes Values/Ideas: Truth & Lies, Relationships: Family, Life/Time: Childhood & YouthTags Health / Medicine, Parenting, Relationships, Jewish Literature, Biography

Publication year 1955Genre Play, FictionThemes Values/Ideas: Justice & Injustice, Values/Ideas: Good & Evil, Society: Politics & GovernmentTags Play: Drama, Historical Fiction, Science / Nature, Religion / Spirituality, Education, Education, History: World, Drama / Tragedy, Classic Fiction

Inherit the Wind is a 1955 play by American playwrights Jerome Lawrence (1915-2004) and Robert E. Lee (1918-1994). It is based on the 1925 Scopes trial, where schoolteacher John T. Scopes was put on trial for teaching the theory of evolution at a time when doing so was illegal. Although Inherit the Wind draws from the events of the Scopes trial, it deviates significantly from the details of the case, as Lawrence and Lee were... Read Inherit the Wind Summary


Publication year 1989Genre Poem, FictionThemes Natural World: Environment, Values/Ideas: Religion & Spirituality, Life/Time: Mortality & Death, Natural World: Animals, Natural World: Appearance & RealityTags Lyric Poem

Publication year 1997Genre Book, NonfictionThemes Values/Ideas: Safety & Danger, Emotions/Behavior: Determination / Perseverance, Natural World: Place, Emotions/Behavior: Guilt, Life/Time: Mortality & DeathTags Travel Literature, Action / Adventure, Sports, Drama / Tragedy, Natural Disaster, History: World, Biography

Into Thin Air is American is authored by professional mountain climber Jon Krakauer. It is a personal account of attempting to ascend Mount Everest, prompted by an assignment from Outside magazine to cover the commercial development of the communities at the mountain’s base. Krakauer’s climbing attempt, which was fatal for several, became the deadliest expedition ever on the mountain. In the book, he reflects on his experience, reporting it as truthfully as possible.Krakauer recalls being... Read Into Thin Air Summary


Publication year 1950Genre Novel, FictionThemes Values/Ideas: Science & Technology, Values/Ideas: Justice & Injustice, Values/Ideas: Safety & DangerTags Science-Fiction / Dystopian Fiction, Classic Fiction, Fantasy

I, Robot, a science fiction novel by Isaac Asimov, is a set of stories about the first robotic machines and the problems and pitfalls of living with and working alongside them. The book is the first in a series of several novels about robots; it is famous for its Three Laws of Robotics that govern machine behavior, and for its device, the positronic brain, which contains a robot’s conscious intelligence.Asimov (1920-1992) is one of the... Read I, Robot Summary


Publication year 1961Genre Short Story, FictionThemes Relationships: Mothers, Relationships: Daughters & Sons, Identity: Femininity, Emotions/Behavior: Guilt, Society: ClassTags Education, Education, History: World, Classic Fiction

“I Stand Here Ironing” was originally published in 1961 in Tell Me a Riddle, Tillie Olsen’s first collection of short stories. Since then, it has greatly impacted feminist scholars and creative writers alike and is often anthologized. The short story is an intimate exploration of one woman’s experience with motherhood between the 1930 and 1950s. Her oldest daughter, Emily, is 19 years old and has been neglected and separated from the narrator due to factors... Read I Stand Here Ironing Summary


Publication year 1972Genre Novel, FictionThemes Relationships: Family, Identity: Gender, Life/Time: Coming of Age, Relationships: MarriageTags Children's Literature, Modern Classic Fiction, Realistic Fiction, Coming of Age / Bildungsroman

Publication year 2023Genre Novel, FictionThemes Emotions/Behavior: Determination / Perseverance, Emotions/Behavior: Guilt, Emotions/Behavior: Regret, Identity: Masculinity, Relationships: Daughters & Sons, Relationships: Family, Relationships: Fathers, Values/Ideas: Good & Evil, Values/Ideas: Justice & Injustice, Values/Ideas: Loyalty & Betrayal, Values/Ideas: Trust & DoubtTags Horror / Thriller / Suspense Fiction, Mystery / Crime Fiction

Publication year 1930Genre Novel, FictionThemes Society: Immigration, Society: Class, Values/Ideas: Justice & InjusticeTags Auto/Biographical Fiction, Historical Fiction, Trauma / Abuse / Violence, Class, Poverty, Social Justice, American Literature, Education, Education, Jewish Literature, History: World, Classic Fiction, Religion / Spirituality

Jews Without Money is a semi-autobiographical 1930 novel by Itzok Isaac Granich, published under Granich’s pseudonym, Mike Gold. The book charts the impoverished conditions of the Lower East Side of New York City and the experiences of growing up in a community of predominantly Jewish immigrants in the early 20th century. Growing up in such a difficult environment informed the author’s socialist politics as an adult. Plot SummaryMike Gold is born and raised by a... Read Jews Without Money Summary


Publication year 1976Genre Book, NonfictionThemes Society: War, Values/Ideas: Justice & Injustice, Society: Politics & GovernmentTags Philosophy, Politics / Government, Military / War, History: World, Philosophy

Publication year 2023Genre Biography, NonfictionThemes Identity: Race, Values/Ideas: Equality, Society: NationTags Politics / Government, Race / Racism, History: U.S., History: World, Social Justice, Biography

Publication year 2005Genre Book, NonfictionThemes Society: Community, Society: Immigration, Society: Nation, Society: Politics & Government, Society: War, Emotions/Behavior: Determination / Perseverance, Society: ColonialismTags Creative Nonfiction, American Revolution, Children's Literature, Education, Education, History: U.S., Military / War, History: World

Publication year 2019Genre Novel, FictionThemes Emotions/Behavior: Guilt, Emotions/Behavior: Conflict, Values/Ideas: Religion & Spirituality, Values/Ideas: Loyalty & Betrayal, Values/Ideas: Power & Greed, Society: Politics & GovernmentTags Fantasy, Gender / Feminism, Romance, LGBTQ, Action / Adventure

Publication year 2017Genre Novel, FictionThemes Values/Ideas: Power & Greed, Values/Ideas: Equality, Emotions/Behavior: Love, Values/Ideas: Truth & Lies, Society: Class, Society: Economics, Values/Ideas: ArtTags Science-Fiction / Dystopian Fiction, Fantasy, Satire, Relationships, Agriculture, Arts / Culture, Business / Economics, Class, Finance / Money / Wealth, Food, Health / Medicine, History: U.S., Politics / Government, Poverty, Religion / Spirituality, Social Justice

Landscape with Invisible Hand is a satirical dystopian science fiction novel by M. T. Anderson, written for a young adult audience. A diverse author, Anderson writes both fiction and nonfiction for people of all ages. In 2023, Landscape with Invisible Hand was adapted for film, reflecting the novel’s popularity and relevance. The book depicts a future world in which an alien species, the vuvv, have sold their technology to humans, causing the collapse of the... Read Landscape with Invisible Hand Summary


Publication year 2022Genre Novel, FictionThemes Society: Class, Values/Ideas: Religion & Spirituality, Values/Ideas: Order & ChaosTags Historical Fiction, Horror / Thriller / Suspense Fiction, Psychological Fiction, Modern Classic Fiction, History: World, Magical Realism, Fantasy

Publication year 2005Genre Novel, FictionThemes Values/Ideas: Good & Evil, Values/Ideas: Win & Lose, Values/Ideas: Justice & Injustice, Emotions/Behavior: CourageTags Mystery / Crime Fiction, Sports, Children's Literature, Realistic Fiction

Last Shot: A Final Four Mystery (2005) is a sports and mystery novel for young readers by John Feinstein. A sports journalist, Feinstein has written for a variety of publications, including The Washington Post, Golf Digest, and Sports Illustrated. He is also the author of 45 fiction and nonfiction books about sports. His debut nonfiction book, A Season on the Brink (1986), focused on the 1985-86 college basketball season of the Indiana Hoosiers and their... Read Last Shot Summary


Publication year 2022Genre Book, NonfictionThemes Society: Nation, Society: Politics & Government, Society: WarTags Philosophy, Biography, Politics / Government, Leadership/Organization/Management, History: World, Business / Economics, Philosophy

Publication year 2020Genre Novel, FictionThemes Relationships: Family, Emotions/Behavior: Determination / Perseverance, Identity: Race, Self Discovery, Society: Immigration, Relationships: FriendshipTags Historical Fiction, WWII / World War II, Latin American Literature, Jewish Literature, Race / Racism, Holocaust, Children's Literature, Military / War, History: World

Publication year 2007Genre Book, NonfictionThemes Society: Education, Society: Class, Life/Time: Childhood & Youth, Values/Ideas: Truth & LiesTags Education, Social Justice, Race / Racism, Education, Psychology, Psychology

Jonathan Kozol’s Letters to a Young Teacher, originally published in 2007, is a collection of letters containing Kozol’s teaching advice for a new first grade schoolteacher named Francesca. The format of this book is inspired by Rainer Maria Rilke’s famous Letters to a Young Poet, which has become a model for advice books for young people in different professions and callings. Although some identifying elements have been changed, the book’s letters represent a real correspondence... Read Letters to a Young Teacher Summary


Publication year 2013Genre Book, NonfictionThemes Emotions/Behavior: Determination / Perseverance, Values/Ideas: Power & Greed, Values/Ideas: Safety & Danger

Lincoln’s Grave Robbers is a nonfiction book for young readers by Steve Sheinkin. It describes how a gang of counterfeiters attempted to steal the body of Abraham Lincoln from his tomb in Springfield, Illinois, in order to hold it for ransom. Sheinkin’s retelling features rich historical detail, a colorful cast of characters, and probing insights into the fractiousness of the 1870s, as well as some striking parallels to contemporary events. Set in the aftermath of... Read Lincoln's Grave Robbers Summary


Publication year 1954Genre Poem, FictionThemes Emotions/Behavior: Apathy, Emotions/Behavior: Conflict, Emotions/Behavior: Hope, Emotions/Behavior: LoveTags Lyric Poem, Gender / Feminism, Relationships

Publication year 1991Genre Play, FictionThemes Relationships: Family, Society: War, Life/Time: Coming of AgeTags Play: Drama, Education, Education, Jewish Literature, Drama / Tragedy, Humor, Classic Fiction

Lost in Yonkers is a play by American playwright Neil Simon that premiered in 1991. It centers around Jay Kurnitz, a teenage boy sent with his younger brother, Arty, to live with his grandmother in Yonkers. Many critics consider the play, which debuted to overwhelming critical acclaim, one of Simon’s best works. It explores themes of abbreviated childhood, war, and generational trauma. Lost in Yonkers won the Pulitzer Prize for Drama upon its release, and... Read Lost In Yonkers Summary


Publication year 2001Genre Poem, FictionThemes Emotions/Behavior: Nostalgia, Life/Time: Childhood & Youth, Values/Ideas: Religion & Spirituality

Publication year 2005Genre Poem, FictionThemes Emotions/Behavior: LoveTags Free verse, Love / Sexuality

Publication year 2011Genre Poem, FictionThemes Values/Ideas: Equality, Values/Ideas: Power & Greed, Emotions/Behavior: Shame & Pride, Values/Ideas: Safety & DangerTags Relationships

Publication year 2012Genre Book, NonfictionThemes Society: Education, Self Discovery, Emotions/Behavior: Determination / PerseveranceTags Self Help, Psychology, Business / Economics, Philosophy, Leadership/Organization/Management, History: World, Psychology, Philosophy

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Publication year 1986Genre Graphic Novel/Book, NonfictionThemes Relationships: Friendship, Relationships: Family, Values/Ideas: FateTags History: World, WWII / World War II, Holocaust, History: European, Post Modernism, Military / War, Biography

Maus by Art Spiegelman was the first graphic novel to win the Pulitzer Prize. It originally ran in Spiegelman’s Raw magazine between 1980 and 1991 before receiving mainstream attention as two collected volumes, Maus I in 1986 and Maus II in 1991. This guide is based on the 1996 complete edition. This historic memoir interlaces two narratives, one of Spiegelman’s Jewish father as he survives World War II Poland and the Auschwitz concentration camp, and... Read Maus Summary


Publication year 2016Genre Book, NonfictionThemes Society: Economics, Society: Community, Society: Politics & GovernmentTags Science / Nature, Business / Economics, Sociology, History: World, Psychology, Psychology, Self Help

Publication year 2015Genre Book, NonfictionThemes Values/Ideas: Justice & Injustice, Values/Ideas: Safety & DangerTags Crime / Legal, Gender / Feminism, History: U.S., Politics / Government, Journalism, True Crime, History, Sociology, Mystery / Crime Fiction, History: World

Missoula: Rape and the Justice System in a College Town by Jon Krakauer is a work of narrative nonfiction that explores the pervasive issue of sexual violence within the context of a college town. Published in 2015, the book offers an examination of several cases of sexual assault at the University of Montana in Missoula, shedding light on the systemic failures of the justice system and the broader societal attitudes that often exacerbate the trauma... Read Missoula Summary


Publication year 2015Genre Book, NonfictionThemes Self Discovery, Society: War, Values/Ideas: Justice & InjusticeTags History: U.S., Military / War, Politics / Government, Vietnam War, Children's Literature, History: World, Biography

Publication year 1974Genre Poem, FictionThemes Life/Time: Childhood & YouthTags Humor, Children's Literature

Publication year 2019Genre Novel, FictionThemes Relationships: Family, Relationships: Siblings, Life/Time: The Past, Relationships: MothersTags Historical Fiction, LGBTQ, Trauma / Abuse / Violence, Modern Classic Fiction, History: World

Publication year 2016Genre Autobiography / Memoir, NonfictionThemes Emotions/Behavior: Determination / Perseverance, Society: Nation, Society: Politics & Government, Values/Ideas: Equality, Values/Ideas: Justice & InjusticeTags Politics / Government, Gender / Feminism, History: U.S., History: World, Biography

Publication year 2000Genre Book, NonfictionTags Holocaust, History: European, WWII / World War II, Education, Education, Jewish Literature, Military / War, History: World

This guide is based on the first edition of Neighbors: The Destruction of the Jewish Community in Jedwabne, Poland, published in 2001 by Princeton University Press. Written by Jan Tomasz Gross, Neighbors is a critically acclaimed account of Poland’s role in the Holocaust. It inspired the 2012 film Aftermath, directed by Wladyslaw Pasikowski.Content Warning: The source material and this guide include discussions of antisemitism, war, and the Holocaust.On July 10, 1941, nearly two years after... Read Neighbors Summary


Publication year 1958Genre Poem, FictionThemes Emotions/Behavior: Memory, Emotions/Behavior: Fear, Emotions/Behavior: GriefTags Free verse, Holocaust

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Publication year 1956Genre Autobiography / Memoir, NonfictionThemes Values/Ideas: Loyalty & BetrayalTags Holocaust, History: European, WWII / World War II, Education, Education, Military / War, History: World, Classic Fiction, Biography

Night, by Elie Wiesel, is a memoir recounting the author’s experience in the Nazi concentration camps of Auschwitz, Gleiwitz, and Buchenwald during the last two years of World War II. The book was published in France in 1958; a shortened English translation was published in the United States in 1960.In 1944, the 15-year old Wiesel, his father, mother, and sisters were deported from the village of Sighet in Hungary and interned at the Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration... Read Night Summary


Publication year 1990Genre Novel, FictionThemes Emotions/Behavior: Hope, Identity: Mental Health, Life/Time: The Past, Natural World: Appearance & Reality, Natural World: Space & The Universe, Values/Ideas: Religion & Spirituality, Values/Ideas: Science & TechnologyTags Science-Fiction / Dystopian Fiction, Fantasy, Philosophy, Classic Fiction

Publication year 1998Genre Autobiography / Memoir, NonfictionThemes Life/Time: Childhood & YouthTags WWII / World War II, Holocaust, History: European, Trauma / Abuse / Violence, Jewish Literature, Military / War, History: World, Biography

Anita Lobel is the author of No Pretty Pictures: A Child of War. First published in 1998 and a finalist for the National Book Award, the memoir details Lobel’s memories of growing up in Poland and how she survived World War II and the Holocaust. As the book follows Lobel from a child to a teen, it’s also a coming-of-age story and features themes about displacement and identity, as well as ideas like the differences... Read No Pretty Pictures Summary


Publication year 2013Genre Novel, FictionThemes Emotions/Behavior: Fear, Values/Ideas: Order & Chaos, Values/Ideas: Power & GreedTags Science-Fiction / Dystopian Fiction, Psychological Fiction, Climate Change, Modern Classic Fiction

Publication year 1977Genre Essay Collection, NonfictionThemes Values/Ideas: Art, Society: Colonialism, Values/Ideas: Power & Greed, Values/Ideas: Beauty, Society: Economics, Society: Nation, Society: Politics & GovernmentTags Arts / Culture, Philosophy, History: World, Business / Economics, Class, Finance / Money / Wealth, Sociology, Literary Criticism, Philosophy, Classic Fiction

On Photography is a 1977 collection of seven essays by American scholar, activist, and philosopher Susan Sontag. The essays were published in the New York Review of Books from 1973 to 1977 before publication in a single volume. Sontag explores the history of photography and its relationship to reality, the fine arts, and sociopolitical power structures. Individual essays explore these various relationships between photography and the world through a different lens before the culminating exploration... Read On Photography Summary


Publication year 1963Genre Book, NonfictionThemes Society: War, Society: Politics & Government, Values/Ideas: Justice & InjusticeTags Philosophy, Politics / Government, History: World, American Revolution, Sociology, Philosophy, Classic Fiction

Publication year 1972Genre Novel, FictionThemes Life/Time: Coming of Age, Emotions/Behavior: Fear, Emotions/Behavior: Courage, Relationships: Friendship, Relationships: FamilyTags Realistic Fiction, Humor, Children's Literature, Modern Classic Fiction, Classic Fiction

Publication year 2021Genre Novel, FictionThemes Emotions/Behavior: Love, Relationships: Friendship, Values/Ideas: Loyalty & Betrayal, Emotions/Behavior: Loneliness, Emotions/Behavior: Memory, Society: CommunityTags Humor, Satire, Modern Classic Fiction

Publication year 2003Genre Essay / Speech, NonfictionThemes Society: Community, Society: Nation, Values/Ideas: EqualityTags Diversity, Sociology

“People Like Us” was published in the September 2003 issue of The Atlantic Monthly. Using a series of examples to compare different areas of the United States, author and political commentator David Brooks argues that although America prides itself on being a diverse nation, its population actively self-segregates along multiple demographic lines.The essay begins by painting a picture of an unlikely community where “a black Pentecostal minister lives next to a white anti-globalization activist, who... Read People Like Us Summary


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Publication year 1995Genre Novel, FictionThemes Emotions/Behavior: Courage, Emotions/Behavior: Fear, Natural World: Animals, Natural World: Appearance & Reality, Values/Ideas: Power & Greed, Relationships: Family, Relationships: FriendshipTags Children's Literature, Fantasy, Action / Adventure, Animals, Education, Education

Publication year 1995Genre Novel, FictionThemes Relationships: Family, Emotions/Behavior: Love, Society: Community, Life/Time: Coming of Age, Relationships: Daughters & SonsTags Fantasy, Magical Realism, Romance, Science-Fiction / Dystopian Fiction, Religion / Spirituality

Publication year 1987Genre Novel, FictionThemes Values/Ideas: Loyalty & Betrayal, Values/Ideas: Power & Greed, Values/Ideas: Truth & Lies, Values/Ideas: Justice & Injustice, Emotions/Behavior: Conflict, Emotions/Behavior: Forgiveness, Emotions/Behavior: Guilt, Emotions/Behavior: Revenge, Identity: Masculinity, Identity: Sexuality, Life/Time: Midlife, Life/Time: The Past, Relationships: Family, Relationships: Fathers, Relationships: Marriage, Relationships: Mothers, Society: Politics & GovernmentTags Mystery / Crime Fiction, Horror / Thriller / Suspense Fiction, Crime / Legal

Presumed Innocent (1987) is Scott Turow’s first novel, originally published by Farrar Straus & Giroux. The hit novel stayed on the New York Times bestseller list for 44 weeks and is often credited as an early example of the modern legal thriller, helping to shape the genre’s conventions. Turow went on to publish 12 additional novels and three nonfiction works. He also continued to practice law, specializing in criminal defense, contrasting with Presumed Innocent’s protagonist... Read Presumed Innocent Summary


Publication year 1928Genre Book, NonfictionThemes Identity: Language, Society: Education, Values/Ideas: Order & Chaos, Values/Ideas: Power & Greed, Values/Ideas: Truth & LiesTags Psychology

Publication year 1959Genre Novel, FictionThemes Emotions/Behavior: Fear, Relationships: Mothers, Values/Ideas: Good & EvilTags Horror / Thriller / Suspense Fiction, Mystery / Crime Fiction, Classic Fiction

Psycho (1959) is a horror novel by Robert Bloch and the inspiration for filmmaker Alfred Hitchcock’s film of the same name, which came out one year later. While Hitchcock’s adaptation has largely eclipsed Bloch’s original in the public eye, fans of the film will recognize the basic plot and the major twists in Bloch’s novel. However, Bloch’s Norman Bates is (physically) unrecognizable from the version Anthony Perkins played on screen. Psycho is a slasher thriller... Read Psycho Summary


Publication year 1959Genre Short Story, FictionThemes Emotions/Behavior: Fear, Society: Class, Society: Community, Society: Economics, Society: Education, Society: Immigration, Society: Nation, Values/Ideas: Good & Evil, Values/Ideas: Order & Chaos, Values/Ideas: Safety & Danger, Values/Ideas: Trust & DoubtTags Fantasy, Science-Fiction / Dystopian Fiction, Horror / Thriller / Suspense Fiction, Education, Education

Publication year 1965Genre Short Story, FictionThemes Values/Ideas: Science & Technology, Society: Class, Emotions/Behavior: FearTags Science-Fiction / Dystopian Fiction, Fantasy, Horror / Thriller / Suspense Fiction, Classic Fiction

“‘Repent, Harlequin!’ Said the Ticktockman,” one of Harlan Ellison’s most famous short stories, was published in Galaxy in 1965 and went on to win both the Hugo and the Nebula Awards. Ellison (1934-2018) was an American speculative fiction and screenwriter whose works were influential in the development of New Wave science fiction. “‘Repent, Harlequin!’ Said the Ticktockman” uses nonlinear storytelling to depict a short-lived one-man rebellion against a dystopian future society. The story explores themes... Read "Repent, Harlequin!" Said the Ticktockman Summary


Publication year 2017Genre Book, NonfictionThemes Society: Economics, Society: Class, Society: Politics & Government, Values/Ideas: Justice & Injustice, Values/Ideas: Equality, Values/Ideas: Power & Greed, Society: Education, Society: Colonialism, Society: NationTags Business / Economics, Politics / Government, Philosophy, Social Justice, Civil Rights / Jim Crow, Finance / Money / Wealth, History: U.S., American Literature, Sociology, History: World, Philosophy

Requiem for the American Dream: The 10 Principles of Concentration of Wealth & Power by linguist and political activist Noam Chomsky evaluates the rise of income inequality in the US over the last 40 years. It argues that the main consequence of neoliberalism, which has increased since the 1970s, is a dramatic concentration of wealth and power to the elite—at the expense of the lower and middle classes. Chomsky observes how rapid financialization since the... Read Requiem for the American Dream Summary


Publication year 1926Genre Poem, FictionThemes Life/Time: Mortality & Death, Emotions/Behavior: Apathy, Identity: Mental HealthTags Depression / Suicide, Satire, Roaring Twenties

Publication year 1986Genre Short Story, FictionThemes Values/Ideas: Science & Technology, Values/Ideas: Equality, Emotions/Behavior: FearTags Science-Fiction / Dystopian Fiction, Fantasy

Publication year 1967Genre Novel, FictionThemes Relationships: Mothers, Identity: Femininity, Values/Ideas: Good & EvilTags Horror / Thriller / Suspense Fiction, Classic Fiction, Fantasy, Mystery / Crime Fiction, Religion / Spirituality

Rosemary’s Baby is a Gothic horror novel by American writer Ira Levin. Published in 1967, it was a bestseller that was adapted into a critically acclaimed 1968 film starring Mia Farrow and directed by her husband, Roman Polanski. The novel is known for its focus on themes like women’s liberation and reproductive freedom, urban paranoia and fears of surveillance, and the relationship between conservative Christianity and the occult in the 20th century. Critics have also... Read Rosemary's Baby Summary


Publication year 1995Genre Novel, FictionThemes Identity: Sexuality, Life/Time: Aging, Life/Time: Mortality & Death, Life/Time: The Past

Sabbath’s Theater by Philip Roth, published in 1995, is a work of literary fiction that follows the titular character Mickey Sabbath, an aging yet lustful man, as he navigates life after the passing of his long-time mistress, Drenka. As Sabbath runs from his loss and his unhappy marriage, he finds himself in New York City, confronting the pain of his first wife’s disappearance and the death of his older brother, Morty, during World War II... Read Sabbath's Theater Summary


Genre Novel, FictionThemes Relationships: Family, Relationships: Marriage, Life/Time: Aging, Emotions/Behavior: Nostalgia, Emotions/Behavior: Memory, Emotions/Behavior: Determination / Perseverance, Emotions/Behavior: Forgiveness, Emotions/Behavior: Love, Identity: Femininity, Identity: Sexuality, Life/Time: Midlife, Relationships: Daughters & Sons, Relationships: Fathers, Relationships: Mothers, Values/Ideas: Beauty, Values/Ideas: Justice & Injustice, Values/Ideas: Truth & LiesTags Literary Fiction, Humor, Modern Classic Fiction

Publication year 1985Genre Short Story, FictionThemes Relationships: Marriage, Identity: Race, Emotions/Behavior: LoveTags Relationships, Race / Racism

One night, a husband and his wife are washing dishes in their kitchen. The couple talks about interracial relationships. The husband does not believe Black Americans and white Americans should marry. His wife, Ann, is upset by this and asks why he doesn’t support interracial marriage. He claims he doesn’t have anything against Black Americans, but he feels that white Americans can never understand Black people fully, claiming statistically most interracial marriages end in divorce... Read Say Yes Summary


Publication year 2006Genre Novel, FictionThemes Life/Time: Childhood & Youth, Relationships: Friendship, Self Discovery, Society: ClassTags Realistic Fiction, Bullying, Children's Literature, Education, Education, Modern Classic Fiction, Poverty, Humor

Scrawl (2010) is a young adult novel by American author Mark Shulman, who has written more than 200 books for young readers. Scrawl follows a young teenage bully, Tod Munn, and his experience in detention where he is required by a guidance counselor to write about himself in a journal. In the journal, Tod describes his struggles with coming from a low-income family, low self-esteem, and his problematic behavior at school. The novel was a... Read Scrawl Summary


Publication year 2013Genre Novel, FictionThemes Emotions/Behavior: Determination / Perseverance, Values/Ideas: Power & Greed, Values/Ideas: Win & Lose, Values/Ideas: Safety & Danger, Values/Ideas: Religion & Spirituality, Values/Ideas: Good & Evil, Society: War, Self Discovery, Natural World: Animals, Emotions/Behavior: LonelinessTags Fantasy, Action / Adventure, Addiction / Substance Abuse, Leadership/Organization/Management, Love / Sexuality, Military / War, Politics / Government, Trauma / Abuse / Violence, Religion / Spirituality, Romance

Publication year 2000Genre Novel, FictionThemes Emotions/Behavior: Determination / Perseverance, Emotions/Behavior: Loneliness, Emotions/Behavior: Shame & Pride, Identity: Mental Health, Life/Time: Coming of Age, Relationships: Daughters & Sons, Relationships: Friendship, Relationships: Siblings, Values/Ideas: Truth & LiesTags Mystery / Crime Fiction, Realistic Fiction, Children's Literature

Publication year 2015Genre Novel, FictionThemes Relationships: Friendship, Identity: Sexuality, Society: Community, Relationships: Siblings, Relationships: Family, Emotions/Behavior: Love, Emotions/Behavior: Fear, Values/Ideas: Trust & Doubt, Identity: Gender, Natural World: Appearance & RealityTags Romance, LGBTQ, Coming of Age / Bildungsroman, Music, Realistic Fiction, Modern Classic Fiction

Publication year 2006Genre Novel, FictionTags Realistic Fiction, Romance, Action / Adventure, Children's Literature, Modern Classic Fiction

Small Steps was written by internationally acclaimed American author Louis Sachar. The novel was first published in 2006 by Delacorte Press (US) and Bloomsbury (UK). Louis Sachar is an award-winning young adult mystery and comedy writer, best known for his Wayside School series (1978-2020), and his novel Holes (1998), which won the John Newbery Medal and the National Book Award. Small Steps is a sequel to Holes and focuses on Theodore “Armpit” Johnson, a supporting... Read Small Steps Summary


Publication year 2009Genre Essay / Speech, NonfictionThemes Values/Ideas: Power & Greed, Society: War, Self Discovery, Emotions/Behavior: CourageTags Philosophy, Leadership/Organization/Management

“Solitude and Leadership” is a speech by William Deresiewicz delivered in October 2009 to the freshman class of the United States Military Academy at West Point. Deresiewicz is an author, essayist, and former professor of English at Yale University. The lecture was published in The American Scholar in spring 2010, and this guide refers to the version hosted on the periodical’s website.Deresiewicz opens by acknowledging the apparent contradiction in the title of his speech, given... Read Solitude and Leadership Summary


Publication year 1956Genre Short Story, FictionThemes Emotions/Behavior: Conflict, Emotions/Behavior: Revenge, Life/Time: The Future, Values/Ideas: Science & TechnologyTags Science-Fiction / Dystopian Fiction

Publication year 2011Genre Biography, NonfictionThemes Society: Community, Values/Ideas: Science & Technology, Relationships: Fathers, Life/Time: The FutureTags Business / Economics, Technology, Science / Nature, History: World, Biography

Steve Jobs (2011) is an authorized biography written by Walter Isaacson about the life of the late Apple founder and tech revolutionary. Based on more than forty interviews with Jobs, the book is an in-depth exploration of who Jobs was, from the story of his birth and subsequent adoption to his massive success at the helm of Apple. Jobs himself personally requested that Isaacson write his biography on a phone call in 2004. By the... Read Steve Jobs Summary


Publication year 2010Genre Book, NonfictionThemes Society: Economics, Society: Colonialism, Values/Ideas: Power & GreedTags History: World, History: African , Children's Literature, Education, Education, Science / Nature, Food

Sugar Changed the World: A Story of Magic, Spice, Slavery, Freedom, and Science is a non-fiction history book written for young adults that was first published in 2010. It is primarily about how the cultivation of sugar has impacted societies across the world socially, economically, and culturally. The book is written by historian Marc Aronson and novelist Marina Budhos. It was a finalist for both the Los Angeles Times Book Award and the YALSA Excellence... Read Sugar Changed the World Summary


Publication year 1973Genre Novel, FictionThemes Identity: Race, Society: War, Life/Time: Coming of Age, Values/Ideas: Good & EvilTags Historical Fiction, Romance, Coming of Age / Bildungsroman, WWII / World War II, Holocaust, Children's Literature, Military / War, History: World, Classic Fiction

Summer of My German Soldier (1973) is a young adult novel by American author Bette Greene. The book is heavily based on Greene’s own childhood in Arkansas and Tennessee during World War II and her experiences growing up Jewish in the conservative Christian South. A made-for-TV film adaptation starring Kristy McNichol was released in 1978. The sequel to the novel, Morning Is a Long Time Coming, was published in 1978. Summer of My German Soldier... Read Summer of My German Soldier Summary


Publication year 1980Genre Novel, FictionThemes Relationships: Siblings, Life/Time: Coming of Age, Relationships: FamilyTags Realistic Fiction, Children's Literature, Humor, Coming of Age / Bildungsroman, Modern Classic Fiction, Classic Fiction

Superfudge is a children’s novel written by Judy Blume first published in 1980. Blume is an author of children’s novels that have won several awards. Superfudge won the Children’s Choice Award in 1981 and the Early Readers Award in 1991. It was adapted into a television series which ran from 1995-1997. Superfudge is the third book in the Fudge series. This guide utilizes the 1988 publication of this novel.Plot SummaryAt the beginning of the novel... Read Superfudge Summary


Publication year 1966Genre Poem, FictionThemes Values/Ideas: Beauty, Natural World: Animals

Publication year 1972Genre Novel, FictionThemes Relationships: FamilyTags Children's Literature, Realistic Fiction, Humor, Education, Education, Classic Fiction

Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing, an episodic children’s book by Judy Blume, is a first-person narrative recounted by nine-year-old protagonist Peter Hatcher. A work of realistic fiction, this book is divided into 10 chapters and directed at young readers from the third- to fifth-grade levels. Originally published by Dutton Children’s Books in 1972, Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing is the first of five books in a series. The book received a number of... Read Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing Summary


Publication year 1953Genre Short Story, FictionThemes Relationships: Family, Society: Education, Values/Ideas: Religion & Spirituality, Values/Ideas: Truth & LiesTags American Literature, Historical Fiction, Classic Fiction

Publication year 1914Genre Poem, FictionThemes Natural World: Objects, Identity: LanguageTags LGBTQ

Publication year 2021Genre Novel, FictionThemes Emotions/Behavior: Revenge, Values/Ideas: Justice & Injustice, Relationships: MarriageTags Mystery / Crime Fiction, Romance, Realistic Fiction, Gender / Feminism, Social Justice, Trauma / Abuse / Violence, Modern Classic Fiction

Publication year 1953Genre Novel, FictionThemes Values/Ideas: Fate, Society: Class, Self DiscoveryTags Coming of Age / Bildungsroman, American Literature, Jewish Literature, History: World, Historical Fiction, Classic Fiction

The Adventures of Augie March is a 1953 novel by Saul Bellow. In the novel, Bellow’s third, the eponymous title character chronicles his eventful life from an underprivileged childhood in Chicago to his waning wanderlust in Paris. The novel is critically acclaimed and won the 1954 National Book Award for Fiction. Bellow was a lauded author in his lifetime, winning prestigious awards like the Pulitzer Prize and the National Book Foundation’s Medal for Distinguished Contribution... Read The Adventures of Augie March Summary


Publication year 2000Genre Novel, FictionTags Humor, Jewish Literature, Modern Classic Fiction, History: World, Historical Fiction

American writer Michael Chabon won the Pulitzer Prize, as well as the PEN/Faulkner Award for Fiction, for his 2000 historical fiction novel The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay. The story unfolds in the period leading up to World War II and continues through the war years and beyond. The main characters are two Jewish cousins living in New York City and seeking success in the emerging comic book industry. One is the artist Josef... Read The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Clay Summary


Publication year 2024Genre Book, NonfictionThemes Emotions/Behavior: Apathy, Emotions/Behavior: Loneliness, Identity: Gender, Identity: Mental Health, Life/Time: Childhood & Youth, Natural World: Place, Society: Community, Society: Education, Values/Ideas: Science & TechnologyTags Education, Education, Science / Nature, Sociology, Parenting, Psychology, Psychology, Mental Illness, Self Help, Health / Medicine

Publication year 1999Genre Novel, FictionThemes Relationships: Siblings, Values/Ideas: Justice & Injustice, Relationships: Teams, Values/Ideas: Good & EvilTags Humor, Fantasy, Mystery / Crime Fiction, Action / Adventure, Children's Literature

Published in 1999, The Bad Beginning, a darkly humorous adventure novel for middle-grade readers, chronicles the misadventures of three orphaned children whose distant cousin adopts them as part of a plan to steal their huge inheritance. As the first of 13 books in the bestselling A Series of Unfortunate Events, the novel is written by Daniel Handler under the pen name Lemony Snicket, who’s also a character in the story. The books have sold 60... Read The Bad Beginning Summary


Publication year 2023Genre Novel, FictionThemes Emotions/Behavior: Determination / Perseverance, Emotions/Behavior: Grief, Emotions/Behavior: Hope, Emotions/Behavior: Love, Identity: Gender, Identity: Indigenous, Natural World: Environment, Natural World: Place, Relationships: Family, Society: Community, Society: Economics

Publication year 1971Genre Novel, FictionThemes Values/Ideas: Justice & Injustice, Relationships: Family, Society: Politics & GovernmentTags Historical Fiction, Auto/Biographical Fiction, Politics / Government, Cold War, American Literature, Modern Classic Fiction, History: World, Classic Fiction

Publication year 1982Genre Poem, FictionThemes Emotions/Behavior: Memory, Emotions/Behavior: Conflict, Emotions/Behavior: GriefTags Lyric Poem, Trauma / Abuse / Violence, Holocaust

Publication year 2020Genre Novel, FictionThemes Values/Ideas: Justice & Injustice, Emotions/Behavior: Grief, Relationships: FamilyTags Modern Classic Fiction, Mystery / Crime Fiction, Horror / Thriller / Suspense Fiction, Bullying

Publication year 1953Genre Novel, FictionThemes Values/Ideas: Science & Technology, Life/Time: The Future, Values/Ideas: Safety & DangerTags Science-Fiction / Dystopian Fiction, Fantasy, Mystery / Crime Fiction, Classic Fiction

Publication year 2021Genre Biography, NonfictionThemes Identity: Femininity, Society: Politics & Government, Values/Ideas: Power & GreedTags History: World, Biography, Politics / Government, History: European, Women's Studies (Nonfiction)

Publication year 1967Genre Novel, FictionThemes Relationships: Friendship, Relationships: Fathers, Society: Community, Life/Time: Coming of Age, Emotions/Behavior: Hate & Anger, Values/Ideas: Religion & SpiritualityTags Classic Fiction, Historical Fiction, Religion / Spirituality, Jewish Literature, Education, Education

Rabbi Chaim Potok published The Chosen in 1967, and the book became a National Book Award finalist and established Potok as an influential Jewish writer. Born in Brooklyn and raised by Hasidic parents, Potok’s historical novel arguably links to parts of his personal life, as it follows two Jewish best friends, Reuven and Danny, and emphasizes Danny’s rocky relationship with his Hasidic father. The book centers on themes like Judaism and the Quest for Knowledge... Read The Chosen Summary


Publication year 1958Genre Short Story, FictionThemes Values/Ideas: Religion & Spirituality, Values/Ideas: Truth & Lies, Values/Ideas: Power & GreedTags Satire, Education, Education, Jewish Literature, American Literature, Classic Fiction

“The Conversion of the Jews,” originally published in 1958 in the literary magazine The Paris Review, is a satirical postmodern short story by American novelist Philip Roth (1933-2018). The short story was later included in a collection of Roth’s stories titled Goodbye Columbus (1959), which won the National Book Award for Fiction. This guide references the version collected in The Oxford Book of Jewish Stories (1998).“The Conversion of the Jews” centers around the precocious and... Read The Conversion of the Jews Summary


Publication year 1982Genre Novel, FictionThemes Values/Ideas: Literature, Emotions/Behavior: Conflict, Values/Ideas: Truth & Lies, Society: Education, Emotions/Behavior: Courage, Relationships: FamilyTags Realistic Fiction, Race / Racism, Children's Literature, Education, Education, History: World, Historical Fiction, Psychology, Psychology

Originally published in 1982, The Day They Came to Arrest the Book is Nat Hentoff’s only novel for youth. Hentoff was a multi-talented scholar and entertainer, known for his years as a columnist at the legendary Village Voice, an alternative newspaper in New York City. He was also a music critic and professor. Hentoff was regarded as an eloquent, tireless advocate for freedom of speech; he made his arguments in essay form for adults in... Read The Day They Came to Arrest the Book Summary


Publication year 1973Genre Book, NonfictionThemes Life/Time: Mortality & Death, Values/Ideas: Religion & Spirituality, Emotions/Behavior: Fear, Values/Ideas: ArtTags Psychology, Philosophy, Religion / Spirituality, Grief / Death, Anthropology, Anthropology, Science / Nature, Sociology, Psychology, Philosophy, Self Help

The Denial of Death was written by the American cultural anthropologist Ernest Becker and published in 1973. The work explores the fear of death and the ways in which rituals and beliefs have helped humans to cope with it throughout history. It was inspired by the fact that Becker had been diagnosed with terminal colon cancer. Over the course of his life, he taught at several prestigious universities, including Syracuse University, UC Berkeley, and, by... Read The Denial of Death Summary


Publication year 1988Genre Novel, FictionThemes Life/Time: Coming of AgeTags Historical Fiction, Science-Fiction / Dystopian Fiction, Fantasy, WWII / World War II, Holocaust, Jewish Literature, Children's Literature, History: World

Jane Yolen is the author of The Devil’s Arithmetic, a novel for young readers (1988). The main character, Hannah Stern, is almost 13 at the start of the novel. The story begins in her present, the late 1980s, and then travels back in time to 1942. The novel straddles multiple genres: fantasy, time slip, and historical fiction. Stern experiences the tragic history of the Holocaust, and Yolen uses her knowledge of history to provide accurate... Read The Devil's Arithmetic Summary


Publication year 2011Genre Novel, FictionThemes Emotions/Behavior: Determination / Perseverance, Identity: Femininity, Society: War, Values/Ideas: Fate, Values/Ideas: Religion & Spirituality, Values/Ideas: Safety & DangerTags Historical Fiction, Military / War, Gender / Feminism, Magical Realism, Jewish Literature, Grief / Death, History: World

The Dovekeepers (2011) is a historical fiction novel by Alice Hoffman, set in ancient Israel in 70-73 CE. Infused with magical realism, the book is a dramatized feminist retelling of the Siege of Masada, an event in which 960 Jews resisted the onslaught of Roman forces for nine months. The siege took place in the rugged mountain fortress of Masada and left only seven survivors: two women and five children. In Hoffman’s telling, the narrative... Read The Dovekeepers Summary


Publication year 1999Genre Book, NonfictionThemes Natural World: Space & The Universe, Natural World: Appearance & Reality, Values/Ideas: Order & Chaos, Values/Ideas: Science & TechnologyTags Science / Nature, Philosophy, Philosophy

Publication year 2005Genre Book, NonfictionThemes Identity: Race, Values/Ideas: Justice & Injustice, Society: CommunityTags Race / Racism, Social Science, Business / Economics, History: World, Sociology, Social Justice, Poverty, Politics / Government

In The End of Poverty: Economic Possibilities for Our Time (2005), leading economist Jeffrey D. Sachs draws on his extensive global experience to identify a path to end extreme poverty within 20 years. This work is inspired by, and in some ways modeled after, the classic John Maynard Keynes essay Economic Possibilities for Our Grandchildren (1930). In the depths of the Great Depression, Keynes outlined a pathway to ending poverty in the industrialized countries near... Read The End of Poverty Summary


Publication year 2001Genre Novel, FictionThemes Relationships: Siblings, Values/Ideas: Good & Evil, Values/Ideas: Justice & Injustice, Values/Ideas: Literature, Values/Ideas: Loyalty & Betrayal, Values/Ideas: Power & Greed, Values/Ideas: Safety & Danger, Values/Ideas: Science & Technology, Values/Ideas: Truth & Lies, Values/Ideas: Trust & Doubt, Values/Ideas: Order & Chaos, Emotions/Behavior: Conflict, Emotions/Behavior: Courage, Emotions/Behavior: Determination / Perseverance, Emotions/Behavior: Fear, Emotions/Behavior: Love, Life/Time: Childhood & Youth, Natural World: Appearance & Reality, Relationships: Friendship, Relationships: Family, Relationships: TeamsTags Fantasy, Mystery / Crime Fiction, Action / Adventure, Humor, Children's Literature

Publication year 2024Genre Novel, FictionThemes Emotions/Behavior: Determination / Perseverance, Emotions/Behavior: Fear, Emotions/Behavior: Love, Society: Class, Values/Ideas: Good & Evil, Values/Ideas: Power & Greed, Values/Ideas: Religion & Spirituality, Values/Ideas: Safety & DangerTags Fantasy, Historical Fiction, History: World, Magical Realism, Romance

Publication year 2003Genre Novel, FictionThemes Life/Time: Coming of Age, Relationships: Family, Relationships: SiblingsTags Fantasy, Action / Adventure, Coming of Age / Bildungsroman, Children's Literature, Science-Fiction / Dystopian Fiction

Publication year 2003Genre Novel, FictionThemes Life/Time: Mortality & Death, Values/Ideas: Religion & Spirituality, Life/Time: Aging, Values/Ideas: Fate, Relationships: Friendship, Emotions/Behavior: Forgiveness, Emotions/Behavior: Memory, Life/Time: Childhood & Youth, Life/Time: The Past, Relationships: Family, Emotions/Behavior: Hate & Anger, Emotions/Behavior: Love, Society: War, Emotions/Behavior: Grief, Relationships: Marriage, Relationships: Fathers, Emotions/Behavior: Nostalgia, Emotions/Behavior: Hope, Relationships: MothersTags Inspirational, Magical Realism, Religion / Spirituality, Grief / Death, Modern Classic Fiction, Fantasy, Philosophy, Philosophy, Classic Fiction

The Five People You Meet in Heaven is a novel by best-selling writer Mitch Albom. Published in 2003, it sold more than 10 million copies and appeared on the New York Times bestseller list. In 2004, the story was adapted into a made-for-television movie starring Jon Voight. In 2018, Albom penned a follow-up called The Next Person You Meet in Heaven. The novel follows the story of Eddie, a man who believes his life was... Read The Five People You Meet In Heaven Summary


Publication year 2003Genre Poem, FictionThemes Values/Ideas: Power & Greed, Life/Time: Mortality & Death, Society: WarTags Narrative / Epic Poem, Trauma / Abuse / Violence, WWII / World War II

Publication year 1943Genre Novel, FictionThemes Emotions/Behavior: Determination / Perseverance, Self Discovery, Values/Ideas: Art, Values/Ideas: Beauty, Values/Ideas: Good & EvilTags Classic Fiction, American Literature, Philosophy, Politics / Government, Philosophy, Arts / Culture

Published in 1945, The Fountainhead was written by Russian American author Ayn Rand (1905-1982) and focuses on the genius architect Howard Roark as he struggles to pursue a career of innovation and integrity in an increasingly hostile society of altruists and con men led by the Machiavellian humanitarian Ellsworth Toohey. In The Fountainhead, Rand promotes values such as radical individualism and the primacy of objective reason, both of which would later form the foundation of... Read The Fountainhead Summary


Publication year 1951Genre Short Story, FictionThemes Society: Education, Values/Ideas: Science & Technology, Emotions/Behavior: NostalgiaTags Science-Fiction / Dystopian Fiction, Children's Literature, Classic Fiction

Publication year 2001Genre Book, NonfictionThemes Society: Community, Identity: Mental Health, Emotions/Behavior: Conflict, Self Discovery, Values/Ideas: Equality, Values/Ideas: Trust & DoubtTags Education, Education, Psychology, Philosophy, Philosophy, Mental Illness, Health / Medicine, Psychology, Self Help

Publication year 1984Genre Biography, NonfictionThemes Emotions/Behavior: MemoryTags History: U.S., Military / War, WWII / World War II, History: World, Biography

“The Good War”: An Oral History of World War II was published in 1984 and received the Pulitzer Prize for General Nonfiction the following year. Written by Studs Terkel, the book is still considered a classic of oral history. Unlike traditional history, which tends to rely on written records and other material artifacts like works of art and literature or archaeological remains, oral histories collect information about past events through interviews with individuals who were... Read The Good War Summary


Publication year 1977Genre Poem, FictionThemes Emotions/Behavior: LoveTags Lyric Poem, Relationships

Publication year 2011Genre Novel, FictionThemes Values/Ideas: Religion & Spirituality, Life/Time: The Future, Society: GlobalizationTags Christian literature, Religion / Spirituality, Mystery / Crime Fiction

The Harbinger, by Jonathan Cahn, a Messianic Jewish rabbi and author, is Cahn’s debut novel. The Harbinger is described as a Christian novel; it uses and relies on themes, concepts, and scripture that are prevalent in the Old Testament. It was initially published in September 2011 by FrontLine, an imprint of Charisma House, which is a religious publishing group dedicated to spreading religious messages. FrontLine is the imprint of Charisma House used for discussing cultural... Read The Harbinger Summary


Publication year 1988Genre Play, FictionThemes Identity: Gender, Values/Ideas: Art, Life/Time: Mortality & DeathTags Play: Drama, Gender / Feminism, Education, Education, American Literature, History: World, Drama / Tragedy, Humor

Wendy Wasserstein’s play The Heidi Chronicles first opened Off-Broadway with Playwrights Horizons in 1988, transferring to Broadway for a successful run in 1989. The play follows Heidi Holland from the ages of 16 to 40 as she explores her desires for her own life, inspired by the liberation of feminism, but tempered by gendered expectations in a patriarchal society. Critics celebrated the play for introducing feminism into mainstream theater. Wasserstein wrote 11 plays, and The... Read The Heidi Chronicles Summary


Publication year 2005Genre Novel, FictionThemes Emotions/Behavior: Love, Society: Community, Values/Ideas: Literature, Relationships: Family, Relationships: FathersTags Romance, Historical Fiction, Jewish Literature, Love / Sexuality, Modern Classic Fiction

The History of Love (2005) is a novel by American writer Nicole Krauss. The book, Krauss’s second novel, was awarded the 2008 William Saroyan International Prize for Writing and was a finalist for the 2006 Orange Prize for Fiction. It is a novel about the intersection of love, loneliness, language, and literature, as three characters are connected by a mysterious book called The History of Love. The novel plays with postmodern techniques like fragmentation and... Read The History of Love Summary


Publication year 1978Genre Novel, FictionThemes Values/Ideas: Trust & DoubtTags Satire, Humor, Modern Classic Fiction, Classic Fiction, Health / Medicine

The House of God is a novel written by American author and doctor Samuel Bergman under the pseudonym Samuel Shem and originally published in 1978. The book is heavily based on Bergman’s own experiences as a medical intern in the early 1970s, and the fictional hospital “the House of God” is a thinly veiled fictional version of the Beth Israel teaching hospital associated with Harvard Medical School. The novel is a satire in the vein... Read The House of God Summary


Publication year 2007Genre Novel, FictionThemes Relationships: Friendship, Values/Ideas: Art, Relationships: Family, Emotions/Behavior: LonelinessTags Historical Fiction

The Invention of Hugo Cabret (2007) is written and illustrated by Brian Selznick, author of Wonderstruck, The Marvels, and several other well-known novels. The Invention of Hugo Cabret is categorized as historical fiction, but it fits into multiple other genres as well. In an Amazon Exclusive letter, Selznick says his novel’s unique nature makes it “not exactly a novel, not quite a picture book, not really a graphic novel, or a flip book or a... Read The Invention of Hugo Cabret Summary


Publication year 2023Genre Novel, FictionThemes Emotions/Behavior: Determination / Perseverance, Emotions/Behavior: Grief, Emotions/Behavior: Love, Life/Time: The Past, Relationships: Mothers, Values/Ideas: Literature, Emotions/Behavior: CourageTags Historical Fiction, Magical Realism, Fantasy

Publication year 2014Genre Novel, FictionThemes Identity: Disability, Life/Time: Coming of Age, Relationships: Friendship, Values/Ideas: FateTags Fantasy, Action / Adventure, Children's Literature, Religion / Spirituality

The Iron Trial (2014) is a young adult fantasy novel by Holly Black and Cassandra Clare. Both Black and Clare are New York Times best-selling authors who have separately written multiple young adult novels. The Iron Trial is the first book in the Magisterium series and follows Callum “Call” Hunt, a 12-year-old boy who earns a place at a sinister magic school called the Magisterium. At the Magisterium, Call makes startling discoveries about his true... Read The Iron Trial Summary


Publication year 1956Genre Short Story, FictionThemes Natural World: Space & The Universe, Values/Ideas: Fate, Values/Ideas: Order & ChaosTags Science-Fiction / Dystopian Fiction, Fantasy, Philosophy, Philosophy, Classic Fiction

Publication year 1939Genre Play, FictionThemes Values/Ideas: Power & Greed, Relationships: Siblings, Relationships: Marriage, Relationships: Family, Values/Ideas: Justice & Injustice, Identity: Femininity, Values/Ideas: Loyalty & BetrayalTags Play: Drama, Classic Fiction, American Literature, Education, Education, History: World, Drama / Tragedy

Lillian Hellman’s The Little Foxes (1939) is often considered a classic American 20th-century drama. Set in Alabama in 1900, the play explores themes of greed, passive violence, and female agency in the deep south, not yet 50 years removed from the end of the Civil War. The Little Foxes premiered at The National Theatre on Broadway in New York City in 1939 starring Tallulah Bankhead as Regina, before touring for two seasons across the United... Read The Little Foxes Summary


Publication year 2023Genre Novel, FictionThemes Values/Ideas: Truth & Lies, Emotions/Behavior: Determination / Perseverance, Emotions/Behavior: Forgiveness, Emotions/Behavior: Hate & Anger, Emotions/Behavior: Regret, Emotions/Behavior: Revenge, Life/Time: Mortality & Death, Relationships: Family, Society: War, Values/Ideas: Justice & InjusticeTags Historical Fiction, WWII / World War II, Holocaust, Jewish Literature, Military / War, History: World

Publication year 1958Genre Short Story Collection, FictionThemes Values/Ideas: Religion & Spirituality, Identity: Race, Emotions/Behavior: Regret, Self DiscoveryTags Jewish Literature, Immigration / Refugee, Magical Realism, History: U.S., American Literature, Classic Fiction

Publication year 1981Genre Biography, NonfictionThemes Values/Ideas: Justice & Injustice, Identity: Mental Health, Self Discovery, Society: Politics & Government, Values/Ideas: Fate, Values/Ideas: Loyalty & Betrayal, Values/Ideas: Safety & Danger, Values/Ideas: Trust & Doubt, Values/Ideas: Truth & LiesTags Crime / Legal, Psychology, Mental Illness, Horror / Thriller / Suspense Fiction, Mystery / Crime Fiction, American Literature, Psychology, Biography

The Minds of Billy Milligan (1981) is a nonfiction work by Daniel Keyes, documenting the life and experiences of William Stanley “Billy” Milligan, the first defendant found not guilty by reason of insanity because of dissociative identity disorder (DID). The book follows Milligan’s early life experiences that led to his illness, arrest, and trial after the rapes of three women on the Ohio State University campus, as well as the years he spent in different... Read The Minds of Billy Milligan Summary


Publication year 1960Genre Play, FictionThemes Society: Community, Emotions/Behavior: Fear, Emotions/Behavior: Conflict, Values/Ideas: Order & Chaos, Values/Ideas: Safety & Danger, Values/Ideas: Trust & DoubtTags Play: Drama, Science-Fiction / Dystopian Fiction, Post Modernism

Publication year 2015Genre Essay / Speech, NonfictionThemes Self Discovery, Emotions/Behavior: Determination / Perseverance, Natural World: Appearance & RealityTags Philosophy, Psychology, Self Help

“The Moral Bucket List” is an essay by David Brooks first published in the New York Times Op-Ed Section on April 11, 2015. Born in Toronto and raised in New York, Brooks is a prominent cultural journalist, political analyst, and book author. Since 2003, he has written a twice-weekly column for the New York Times, and since 2004, he has been a political analyst for PBS NewsHour. “The Moral Bucket List” is an adapted excerpt... Read The Moral Bucket List Summary


Publication year 2021Genre Novel, FictionThemes Values/Ideas: Religion & Spirituality, Society: Politics & Government, Society: Nation, Emotions/Behavior: Guilt, Identity: Race, Life/Time: The PastTags Historical Fiction, Satire, Politics / Government, Jewish Literature, American Literature

Publication year 1883Genre Poem, FictionThemes Society: Immigration, Society: Nation, Emotions/Behavior: HopeTags Immigration / Refugee, Lyric Poem

Publication year 2018Genre Novel, FictionThemes Values/Ideas: Religion & Spirituality, Life/Time: Mortality & Death, Emotions/Behavior: GuiltTags Inspirational, Fantasy, Christian literature, Modern Classic Fiction, Religion / Spirituality

Publication year 2018Genre Novel, FictionThemes Relationships: FamilyTags Historical Fiction, Children's Literature, History: World, Indian Literature

The Night Diary, Veera Hiranandani’s 2018 work of historical fiction for middle-grade and young adult readers, consists of 60 diary entries spanning approximately four months. In it, the author chronicles the events of India’s post-World War II independence from Britain and subsequent partition through the voice of a 12-year-old Indian girl, Nisha. The fictional family in the novel is loosely based on the childhood experiences of Hiranandani’s father, whose family, like Nisha’s, made the journey... Read The Night Diary Summary


Publication year 1970Genre Play, FictionThemes Society: Nation, Values/Ideas: Justice & Injustice, Values/Ideas: Power & GreedTags Play: Drama, Historical Fiction, Incarceration, Philosophy, Education, Education, Drama / Tragedy, Philosophy, Classic Fiction

The Night Thoreau Spent in Jail is a two-act play by Jerome Lawrence and Robert E. Lee. First performed in 1970, it dramatizes a historical event: The night in 1846 that Henry David Thoreau—American writer, transcendentalist, and naturalist—spent in jail for refusing to pay his poll tax. Since the American government sought to fund the war in Mexico in a bid to extend the territory of enslavement, Thoreau protested by refusing to pay the tax... Read The Night Thoreau Spent In Jail Summary


Publication year 2006Genre Book, NonfictionThemes Natural World: Animals, Natural World: Food, Natural World: Environment, Natural World: Flora/plantsTags Food, Health / Medicine, Science / Nature

The Omnivore’s Dilemma: A Natural History of Four Meals by Michael Pollan is an exploration of what people eat and why. Pollan is an immersive journalist who has studied and written on a wide range of topics including gardening, food, architecture, and psychedelics. Pollan is the Knight Professor of Science and Environmental Journalism at the UC Berkeley Graduate School of Journalism. Each of Pollan’s books examines the intersection of humans and nature. Pollan’s 2001 book... Read The Omnivore's Dilemma Summary


Publication year 1951Genre Book, NonfictionThemes Values/Ideas: Power & Greed, Society: ClassTags Politics / Government, Philosophy, History: World, Sociology, Psychology, Psychology, Philosophy, Classic Fiction

Hannah Arendt’s 1951 The Origins of Totalitarianism is an examination of the origins and ideologies of Nazism and Stalinism in the first half of the 20th century through an examination of antisemitism, imperialism, and totalitarianism. Arendt charts the emergence of the Nazi and Bolshevik totalitarian regimes and how those regimes operated as governments. Arendt asserts that imperialism, not nationalism, created the framework for the success of totalitarian movements, and she claims that totalitarian movements capitalized... Read The Origins of Totalitarianism Summary


Publication year 2024Genre Novel, FictionThemes Emotions/Behavior: Loneliness, Life/Time: Coming of Age, Life/Time: The Past, Natural World: Food, Relationships: Friendship, Relationships: Mothers, Self Discovery, Values/Ideas: ArtTags Modern Classic Fiction, French Literature, Historical Fiction, Romance, Travel Literature, Food

Publication year 1961Genre Novel, FictionThemes Emotions/Behavior: Determination / Perseverance, Values/Ideas: Science & Technology, Values/Ideas: Order & Chaos, Values/Ideas: Music, Values/Ideas: Beauty, Self Discovery, Relationships: SiblingsTags Fantasy, Action / Adventure, Children's Literature, Education, Education, Humor, Classic Fiction

In Norton Juster’s 1961 middle-grade fantasy adventure The Phantom Tollbooth, a bored young boy visits a magical land whose people suffer from a strange delusion and volunteers to find a source of wisdom that can heal them. The book is a touchstone for generations of young readers; it has sold nearly five million copies in more than a dozen languages and has been adapted for film, stage, and symphony hall. Author Juster published a dozen... Read The Phantom Tollbooth Summary


Publication year 1974Genre Biography, NonfictionThemes Identity: Race, Society: Politics & Government, Values/Ideas: Power & Greed, Values/Ideas: Religion & SpiritualityTags History: U.S., Urban Development, Business / Economics, Politics / Government, History: World, Biography

The Power Broker: Robert Moses and the Fall of New York is a 1974 biography of American urban planner Robert Moses, written by journalist Robert Caro. The book charts the rise of Moses in the New York political system, illustrating how he came to shape the city according to his own designs. The book was widely praised by critics and won a Pulitzer Prize in 1975, though Moses and his associates disagreed with several points... Read The Power Broker Summary


Publication year 1973Genre Novel, FictionThemes Values/Ideas: Art, Values/Ideas: Beauty, Emotions/Behavior: JoyTags Fantasy, Romance, Humor, Fairy Tale / Folklore, Action / Adventure, Classic Fiction

The Princess Bride is a 1973 adventure novel by American author and screenwriter William Goldman. It uses a unique framing narrative to tell two interwoven stories and claims to be a retelling of an older novel (one that does not actually exist). The Princess Bride was adapted into a film in 1987. Critics regard the film as one of the greatest cinematic accomplishments of all time, and it appears on numerous “best of” lists, including... Read The Princess Bride Summary


Publication year 1997Genre Novel, FictionThemes Identity: Femininity, Relationships: Mothers, Emotions/Behavior: Love, Emotions/Behavior: Grief, Self DiscoveryTags Historical Fiction, Gender / Feminism, Religion / Spirituality, Jewish Literature, Love / Sexuality, Women's Studies (Nonfiction), History: World

The Red Tent (1997) is an adult historical novel by Jewish American author Anita Diamant. It describes the life of Dinah, daughter of Jacob, who appears in the biblical Book of Genesis. While her mention in the Bible only concerns her abduction by a Canaanite man and her brothers’ act of atrocity in response, Diamant imagines a full life for Dinah—including a childhood raised by several mothers, her first marriage, and life in Egypt, where... Read The Red Tent Summary


Publication year 2002Genre Short Story, FictionThemes Emotions/Behavior: Memory, Natural World: Space & The Universe, Emotions/Behavior: GriefTags Magical Realism

“The Rememberer,” by American author Aimee Bender, is a short story that uses conventions of magical realism to explore the themes of Thought Versus Feeling, Love and Obligation, and The Sublime Quality of Loss. First published in the September 1, 1997, issue of The Missouri Review, the piece later appeared in Bender’s award-winning short story collection, The Girl in the Flammable Skirt (1998). Bender uses first-person point-of-view to tell the story of Annie, a woman... Read The Rememberer Summary


Publication year 1999Genre Novel, FictionThemes Values/Ideas: Truth & Lies, Values/Ideas: Power & Greed, Natural World: Appearance & Reality, Values/Ideas: Good & Evil, Values/Ideas: Safety & DangerTags Fantasy, Children's Literature, Mystery / Crime Fiction, Action / Adventure, Humor

The Reptile Room is a middle-grade novel published by Daniel Handler under the pen name of Lemony Snicket in 1999. It is the second in the 13-book series A Series of Unfortunate Events, which chronicles the lives of the Baudelaire children (Violet, Klaus, and baby Sunny) after the untimely death of their parents. In the first book, a well-intentioned but oblivious man named Mr. Poe places the children under the care of their distant relative... Read The Reptile Room Summary


Publication year 1987Genre Novel, FictionThemes Values/Ideas: Truth & Lies, Emotions/Behavior: Fear, Relationships: Friendship, Self Discovery, Emotions/Behavior: Determination / Perseverance, Values/Ideas: FameTags Realistic Fiction, Children's Literature, Humor, Education, Education, Modern Classic Fiction

Publication year 1917Genre Novel, FictionThemes Values/Ideas: Religion & Spirituality, Society: Immigration, Values/Ideas: Power & GreedTags Historical Fiction, Classic Fiction, Auto/Biographical Fiction, Education, Education, Jewish Literature, American Literature, Religion / Spirituality

Publication year 2004Genre Novel, FictionThemes Relationships: Friendship, Relationships: FamilyTags Realistic Fiction, Children's Literature, Modern Classic Fiction, Fantasy, Humor

Wise-cracking eighth-grader Anthony “Antsy” Bonano befriends Calvin Schwa, a nondescript boy who is virtually invisible to his classmates in Neal Shusterman’s humorous young adult novel, The Schwa Was Here (2004). As Antsy and the Schwa experiment on his invisibility, they meet the crotchety neighborhood recluse Old Man Crawley and fall for his granddaughter, Lexie, who is blind. Antsy learns about the Schwa’s challenging family life and makes discoveries about his own sense of self, his... Read The Schwa Was Here Summary


Publication year 2019Genre Book, NonfictionThemes Identity: Race, Society: Nation, Society: WarTags History: U.S., American Civil War, Politics / Government, Race / Racism, Military / War, American Literature, History: World

Publication year 1964Genre Poem, FictionThemes Values/Ideas: Literature, Self Discovery, Emotions/Behavior: Courage, Emotions/Behavior: Hope, Emotions/Behavior: Love, Identity: Femininity, Life/Time: Childhood & Youth, Life/Time: The Future

Publication year 2001Genre Novel, FictionThemes Society: Education, Emotions/Behavior: Determination / Perseverance, Society: Community, Values/Ideas: Truth & Lies, Relationships: FriendshipTags Historical Fiction, Realistic Fiction, Children's Literature, Education, Education, History: World

Publication year 2014Genre Reference/Text Book, NonfictionThemes Identity: LanguageTags Psychology, Science / Nature, Self Help, Business / Economics, Psychology

Publication year 2007Genre Novel, FictionThemes Relationships: Family, Values/Ideas: Religion & Spirituality, Values/Ideas: Loyalty & Betrayal, Society: Class, Values/Ideas: Safety & Danger, Values/Ideas: Art, Life/Time: The Past, Emotions/Behavior: Fear, Society: Nation, Emotions/Behavior: NostalgiaTags Historical Fiction, History: World, Arts / Culture, Middle Eastern Literature, Realistic Fiction, Auto/Biographical Fiction, Incarceration, History: Middle Eastern, Trauma / Abuse / Violence, Politics / Government, Jewish Literature

The Septembers of Shiraz (2007), a novel by Iranian writer Dalia Sofer, recounts the experiences of the Amins, an Iranian Jewish family, during the Iranian Revolution in the late 1970s. The book is closely based on Sofer’s family history: When Sofer was 10, her family fled Iran, crossing the border to Turkey with the help of smugglers. The Septembers of Shiraz depicts the changing atmosphere and events that characterize the treatment of the wealthy class... Read The Septembers Of Shiraz Summary


Publication year 2005Genre Book, NonfictionThemes Society: Education, Identity: Race, Society: Class, Society: Politics & GovernmentTags Race / Racism, Politics / Government, Sociology, Social Justice, Poverty, Education, Education, History: World

Publication year 1972Genre Novel, FictionThemes Relationships: Marriage, Identity: Sexuality, Values/Ideas: Science & TechnologyTags Classic Fiction, Horror / Thriller / Suspense Fiction, Science-Fiction / Dystopian Fiction, Mystery / Crime Fiction, Gender / Feminism

Publication year 2014Genre Novel, FictionThemes Values/Ideas: LiteratureTags Korean Literature, Asian Literature, Realistic Fiction, Modern Classic Fiction, Romance

The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry is a 2013 novel by Gabrielle Zevin (Elsewhere, Young Jane Young, Out of the Easy, Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow) that centers on the titular character, owner of a bookshop on Alice Island, a fictional island off the coast of Massachusetts. A.J. Fikry’s stubborn and bitter personality is on full display at the start of the story when he learns that his favorite publisher’s agent has died—and been replaced by... Read The Storied Life Of Aj Fikry Summary


Publication year 2017Genre Poem, FictionThemes Natural World: Place, Emotions/Behavior: Memory, Values/Ideas: Justice & Injustice

Publication year 1962Genre Reference/Text Book, NonfictionThemes Values/Ideas: Science & Technology, Society: Community, Values/Ideas: Order & ChaosTags Science / Nature, Education, Education, Psychology, Psychology, Philosophy, Classic Fiction, Philosophy, History: World, Sociology

The Structure of Scientific Revolutions (1962) by Thomas Kuhn stands as a seminal work that revolutionized the philosophy of science. As a scholar who shifted his focus from physics to the history of science, and later to the philosophy of science, Kuhn challenged prevailing notions about the nature of scientific progress, introducing concepts such as paradigms, normal science, and scientific revolutions. Situated at the nexus of science, history, and philosophy, Kuhn’s work upended the view... Read The Structure of Scientific Revolutions Summary


Publication year 2012Genre Novel, FictionThemes Life/Time: Aging, Life/Time: Mortality & Death, Life/Time: The Future, Life/Time: The PastTags Fantasy, Science-Fiction / Dystopian Fiction, Modern Classic Fiction, Allegory / Fable / Parable, Inspirational

The Time Keeper (2012) by American author Mitch Albom is a fable that explores the themes of Humans’ Relationship with Time, The Need to Live in the Present, and the Acceptance of One’s Mortality. The inventor of the world’s first clock, Dor, is punished for measuring time and banished to a cave for thousands of years where he becomes an ageless Father Time. Eventually, he is granted his freedom with the condition that he must... Read The Time Keeper Summary


Publication year 2019Genre Novel, FictionThemes Life/Time: Coming of Age, Life/Time: Mortality & Death, Life/Time: The Future, Values/Ideas: Good & Evil, Values/Ideas: Power & Greed, Values/Ideas: Safety & DangerTags Science-Fiction / Dystopian Fiction, Fantasy, Romance

Publication year 1985Genre Poem, FictionThemes Values/Ideas: Power & Greed, Emotions/Behavior: Conflict, Emotions/Behavior: GriefTags Lyric Poem, Mythology, Confessional, Love / Sexuality, History: U.S., American Literature, Fantasy, Classic Fiction

Publication year 1975Genre Book, NonfictionThemes Values/Ideas: Literature, Values/Ideas: Order & Chaos, Relationships: Mothers, Relationships: Fathers, Life/Time: Childhood & Youth, Identity: LanguageTags Psychology, Fairy Tale / Folklore, Parenting, Love / Sexuality, Philosophy, Philosophy, Literary Criticism, Psychology, Fantasy

The Uses of Enchantment: The Meaning and Importance of Fairy Tales (1976) won acclaims such as the US National Book Award and the National Book of Critics Circle Award. Its author, Bruno Bettelheim (1903-1990), was an Austrian-born psychoanalyst and public intellectual who worked primarily in the United States. Bettelheim wrote The Uses of Enchantment to persuade parents and educators that the European fairy tale, with all its fantastical and violent content, was a greater aid... Read The Uses of Enchantment Summary


Publication year 1996Genre Novel, FictionThemes Relationships: Teams, Emotions/Behavior: Loneliness, Relationships: Friendship, Natural World: AnimalsTags Realistic Fiction, Children's Literature, Disability, Education, Education, Modern Classic Fiction, Classic Fiction

The View From Saturday by American author Elaine Lobl Konigsburg was published in 1996 and won the Newbery Medal for excellence in American children’s literature in 1997—Konigsburg’s second Newbery Medal. She is one of only six writers to win the award twice (her first was awarded for From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler in 1968). Prior to becoming a writer of children’s and young adult fiction and publishing over 20 works from... Read The View From Saturday Summary


Publication year 1986Genre Short Story, FictionThemes Emotions/Behavior: Fear, Society: Community, Identity: Sexuality, Emotions/Behavior: GriefTags LGBTQ, Health / Medicine, American Literature, Philosophy, Philosophy, Classic Fiction

Publication year 1986Genre Novel, FictionThemes Relationships: FriendshipTags Historical Fiction, Action / Adventure, Children's Literature, History: World, Fantasy, Classic Fiction

The Whipping Boy is a middle grade historical novel written by American author Sid Fleischman and published in 1986. The novel won the Newbery Medal (awarded by the American Library Association) in 1987. When it was published, Fleischman had already written many books for both young and adult readers, often incorporating his interest in history, and setting books in different locales and time periods. In 1994, the novel was adapted into a film called Prince... Read The Whipping Boy Summary


Publication year 1972Genre Poem, FictionThemes Emotions/Behavior: Hate & Anger, Identity: Race, Emotions/Behavior: ConflictTags Free verse, Race / Racism, Class

Publication year 2007Genre Novel, FictionThemes Identity: Mental HealthTags Realistic Fiction, Mystery / Crime Fiction, Depression / Suicide, Bullying, Modern Classic Fiction, Romance, Mental Illness

Tormented by false rumors and betrayals, high-schooler Hannah Baker dies by suicide—but leaves behind a set of tapes for 13 of her classmates explaining how they contributed to her death in Thirteen Reasons Why (2007) by Jay Asher. This suspenseful young adult drama—Asher’s debut novel—was inspired by a close family member who attempted suicide when she was Hannah’s age. She survived and shared with Asher the feelings and events that led to her suicide attempt... Read Thirteen Reasons Why Summary


Publication year 1998Genre Biography, NonfictionThemes Values/Ideas: Fame, Relationships: Family, Relationships: Fathers, Values/Ideas: Power & Greed, Values/Ideas: Religion & Spirituality, Society: EconomicsTags History: U.S., Business / Economics, Finance / Money / Wealth, Leadership/Organization/Management, History: World, Biography

Publication year 2019Genre Novel, FictionThemes Relationships: Family, Relationships: Friendship, Identity: SexualityTags LGBTQ, Realistic Fiction, Coming of Age / Bildungsroman, Children's Literature, Modern Classic Fiction, Humor

Publication year 1949Genre Essay / Speech, NonfictionThemes Society: Class, Emotions/Behavior: Courage, Values/Ideas: Literature

Publication year 1977Genre Short Story, FictionThemes Values/Ideas: Safety & Danger, Emotions/Behavior: Love, Values/Ideas: Science & TechnologyTags Science-Fiction / Dystopian Fiction, Technology

Publication year 2019Genre Novel, FictionThemes Values/Ideas: Trust & Doubt, Relationships: SiblingsTags Korean Literature, Asian Literature, Realistic Fiction, Modern Classic Fiction, Historical Fiction

Trust Exercise (2019), a literary fiction novel by Susan Choi, centers on two high school students who fall in love. As the plot develops, it becomes obvious that the relationship is not at all that it seems. Although Trust Exercise received mixed reviews from readers, critics praise the novel for challenging preconceived ideas of what a novel should be. It won the 2019 National Book Award for fiction. Choi is a best-selling, award-winning novelist who typically writes literary... Read Trust Exercise Summary


Publication year 2023Genre Book, NonfictionThemes Identity: Race, Society: Politics & Government, Values/Ideas: Equality, Values/Ideas: Justice & InjusticeTags Politics / Government, History: U.S., American Literature, Business / Economics, History: World, Social Justice

Publication year 2017Genre Biography, NonfictionThemes Emotions/Behavior: Determination / Perseverance, Identity: Indigenous, Society: ColonialismTags History: U.S., Sports, Diversity, Race / Racism, Children's Literature, History: World, Biography

Publication year 2003Genre Book, NonfictionThemes Values/Ideas: Religion & SpiritualityTags Crime / Legal, Religion / Spirituality, History: U.S., Mystery / Crime Fiction, Journalism, History: World, Biography

In 2003, Jon Krakauer, nonfiction author and journalist, published Under the Banner of Heaven: A Story of Violent Faith. Now the inspiration for a television series of the same title on Hulu, the story sent shockwaves as it explored religious extremism on American soil that closely resembled the Taliban-style extremism that had captured the country’s attention following the September 11 attacks. This guide refers to the 2004 paperback edition published by First Anchor Books.Content warning:... Read Under the Banner of Heaven Summary


Publication year 2004Genre Essay Collection, NonfictionThemes Identity: Femininity, Identity: Gender, Identity: Masculinity, Identity: SexualityTags Gender / Feminism, Sociology, LGBTQ, Philosophy, Philosophy

Publication year 1966Genre Novel, FictionThemes Values/Ideas: Fame, Values/Ideas: Loyalty & Betrayal, Values/Ideas: Equality, Identity: FemininityTags Addiction / Substance Abuse, Drama / Tragedy, Modern Classic Fiction, Historical Fiction, Romance, Classic Fiction

The novel Valley of the Dolls, originally published in 1966, is a fictional exposé of the lives of three young career women who meet in New York City in 1945, just after the end of World War II. Anne, a recent Radcliffe College graduate, works for a law firm that represents well-known entertainers. Jennifer is an astonishingly beautiful showgirl who marries a famous singer. Neely, only 17, is a budding singer and dancer who eventually... Read Valley of the Dolls Summary


Publication year 1975Genre Essay / Speech, NonfictionThemes Values/Ideas: Literature, Emotions/Behavior: Conflict, Identity: FemininityTags Gender / Feminism

Publication year 1935Genre Play, FictionThemes Values/Ideas: Justice & Injustice, Society: Community, Society: ClassTags Play: Drama, Class, Social Justice, Education, Education, American Literature, History: World, Drama / Tragedy, Historical Fiction, Classic Fiction

Waiting for Lefty is a one-act play by Clifford Odets. It initially premiered in January 1935, performed by the Group Theatre, a company started in 1931 by Harold Clurman, Cheryl Crawford, and Lee Strasburg with the goal of revolutionizing American theater as a means for social change. Lefty was Odets’s first produced play, written in response to a call by the New Theatre League for a piece to perform in union halls or meeting spaces... Read Waiting For Lefty Summary


Publication year 1980Genre Novel, FictionThemes Values/Ideas: Religion & Spirituality, Self Discovery, Natural World: Appearance & Reality, Emotions/Behavior: JoyTags Auto/Biographical Fiction, Inspirational, Religion / Spirituality, Philosophy, Self Help, Psychology, Psychology, Philosophy

Originally published in 1980, Way of the Peaceful Warrior: A Book that Changes Lives, is a semiautobiographical novel by American author and lecturer Dan Millman. The book is Millman’s first novel and part of the Peaceful Warrior Saga, a series of four novels about personal development and spirituality. The text is based on the author’s early life as a college student in California, with a narrative that blends reality with fiction. The storyline follows a... Read Way of the Peaceful Warrior Summary


Publication year 1989Genre Novel, FictionThemes Life/Time: Childhood & Youth, Relationships: Friendship, Society: EducationTags Children's Literature, Education, Education, Fantasy, Humor

Publication year 2022Genre Novel, FictionThemes Relationships: Friendship, Emotions/Behavior: Love, Emotions/Behavior: Grief, Life/Time: Mortality & Death, Relationships: FamilyTags Realistic Fiction, Grief / Death, Modern Classic Fiction

Publication year 2019Genre Book, NonfictionThemes Natural World: Climate, Natural World: Food, Life/Time: The Future, Natural World: EnvironmentTags Science / Nature, Climate Change, Food, Politics / Government

Publication year 1992Genre Novel, FictionThemes Emotions/Behavior: Fear, Identity: Mental Health, Life/Time: Childhood & Youth, Life/Time: Coming of Age, Life/Time: Mortality & Death, Natural World: Appearance & Reality, Values/Ideas: Good & Evil, Values/Ideas: Loyalty & Betrayal, Values/Ideas: Truth & Lies, Self DiscoveryTags Horror / Thriller / Suspense Fiction, Fantasy, Children's Literature, Mystery / Crime Fiction, Religion / Spirituality

Publication year 1974Genre Essay / Speech, NonfictionThemes Natural World: Appearance & Reality, Natural World: Animals, Values/Ideas: Science & TechnologyTags Philosophy, Science / Nature, Psychology, Education, Education, History: World, Psychology, Philosophy, Classic Fiction

Publication year 1941Genre Novel, FictionThemes Values/Ideas: Loyalty & Betrayal, Values/Ideas: Power & Greed, Values/Ideas: Art, Society: ClassTags Classic Fiction, Satire, Philosophy, American Literature, Great Depression, Arts / Culture, Modern Classic Fiction, Philosophy, Self Help

Publication year 1991Genre Poem, FictionThemes Society: EconomicsTags Free verse, Class

Publication year 1992Genre Novel, FictionThemes Identity: Mental Health, Emotions/Behavior: Fear, Life/Time: Mortality & Death, Self DiscoveryTags Historical Fiction, Existentialism, Psychology, Philosophy, Modernism, American Literature, History: World, Psychology, Classical Period, Philosophy, Classic Fiction

When Nietzsche Wept is a 1992 novel written by Stanford University Professor of Psychology Irvin D. Yalom. Set in Vienna in 1882, the novel imagines a working relationship between the famous German philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche and the eminent physician Josef Breuer. Breuer believes that Nietzsche’s physical ailments have psychological causes, and he embarks on his newly invented “talking cure”—effectively a precursor to talk therapy and psychoanalysis. Eventually, through an agreement between the two men, it... Read When Nietzsche Wept Summary


Publication year 2020Genre Book, NonfictionThemes Society: Politics & Government, Emotions/Behavior: Conflict, Society: Nation, Society: CommunityTags History: U.S., Psychology, Sociology, Politics / Government, Social Science, History: World, Psychology, Arts / Culture

Publication year 1976Genre Novel, FictionThemes Identity: Gender, Values/Ideas: Justice & Injustice, Life/Time: The FutureTags Gender / Feminism, Science-Fiction / Dystopian Fiction, Classic Fiction, Fantasy

Woman on the Edge of Time is a 1976 utopian science fiction novel by Marge Piercy. Piercy is a poet, writer, and feminist activist, and the novel critiques racism, patriarchal gender roles, and medical abuse. The novel is set in the 1970s and follows Connie Ramos, an impoverished Mexican American woman who is visited by a time traveler from a utopian future. The book’s setting alternates between the psychiatric hospital where Connie is unjustly committed... Read Woman on the Edge of Time Summary


Publication year 2011Genre Graphic Novel/Book, FictionTags Historical Fiction, Children's Literature, Mystery / Crime Fiction, Realistic Fiction, History: World, Action / Adventure

Wonderstruck (2011) by Brian Selznick is a graphic novel for children and young adults. The book follows the story of Ben, a deaf boy traveling to New York in 1977, and Rose, a deaf/mute girl traveling to New York in 1927. The stories overlap and weave together, as both Ben and Rose seek family and belonging. The book was adapted into a feature-length film, for which Brian Selznick wrote the screenplay. Plot SummaryThe novel has two... Read Wonderstruck Summary


Publication year 1972Genre Poem, FictionThemes Natural World: Animals, Values/Ideas: Power & Greed, Values/Ideas: Good & EvilTags Narrative / Epic Poem, Holocaust

Publication year 2006Genre Novel, FictionThemes Emotions/Behavior: Apathy, Emotions/Behavior: Conflict, Emotions/Behavior: Courage, Emotions/Behavior: Determination / Perseverance, Emotions/Behavior: Fear, Emotions/Behavior: Guilt, Emotions/Behavior: Hope, Life/Time: Mortality & Death, Life/Time: The Future, Natural World: Environment, Society: Community, Society: Education, Society: Nation, Society: Class, Society: Politics & Government, Society: War, Values/Ideas: Art, Values/Ideas: Fame, Values/Ideas: Truth & Lies, Values/Ideas: Beauty, Values/Ideas: Good & Evil, Values/Ideas: Order & Chaos, Values/Ideas: Power & Greed, Values/Ideas: Safety & DangerTags Science-Fiction / Dystopian Fiction, Horror / Thriller / Suspense Fiction, Fantasy, Class, Disability, Depression / Suicide, Leadership/Organization/Management, Military / War, Trauma / Abuse / Violence, Politics / Government

World War Z: An Oral History of the Zombie War is a horror fiction novel by Max Brooks published in 2006. The book was a critical and commercial success, generally receiving positive reviews and spending several weeks on The New York Times bestseller list. It has sold millions of copies around the world and was subsequently turned into a successful movie starring Brad Pitt, released in 2013, and a highly rated video game, released in... Read World War Z Summary


Publication year 2011Genre Graphic Novel/Book, NonfictionThemes Natural World: Climate, Natural World: Environment, Natural World: FoodTags Children's Literature, Animals, Science / Nature, Food

Publication year 2014Genre Novel, FictionThemes Society: Class, Natural World: Appearance & Reality, Emotions/Behavior: LoveTags Horror / Thriller / Suspense Fiction, Psychological Fiction, Mystery / Crime Fiction, Modern Classic Fiction

You is a 2014 thriller novel written by New York Times bestselling author Caroline Kepnes. The story is narrated by Joe Goldberg, a bookstore employee who develops an obsession with an aspiring writer named Beck. The title, You, alludes to the narrator’s obsession; the entire narrative is addressed to Beck in the second person. The novel and its sequels were adapted into a television series of the same name. This guide uses the 2014 Atria... Read You Summary


Publication year 1991Genre Poem, FictionThemes Society: Class, Emotions/Behavior: MemoryTags Free verse, Lyric Poem, Poverty