Greek Myths: This book of Greek myths, rendered as comic strips that kids can understand, inspired in me a lifelong love of these classic stories.
Charlotte's Web: Although I don't plan on raising children vegetarian (I think it should be their choice to make), I would like them to understand where meat comes from and this book is gently upfront about raising animals for slaughter. It also was something that I remember being particularly helpful to me in gaining a more mature understanding of death.
A Wrinkle In Time: I loved this whole series and no matter what gender my future child(ren) may be, I want them to see a girl who doesn't play nice as being a hero.
Harry Potter: OBVIOUSLY.
Speak: Again, regardless of gender, this book explores sexual assault and its aftermath and how hard it can be to make the accusation, and that's something everyone should be aware of.
1984: This book made me question the way information is disseminated and the way the public is expected to consume it even as an eighth grader (even more so now).
Lord of the Flies: It's perhaps a dim view of humanity, especially in groups, but I haven't seen anything in my life to this point to make me think that it's not a fair one.
To Kill A Mockingbird: The lessons here about not judging people without understanding their circumstances are timeless and important.
The Lord of the Rings: This series has its issues (including a horrifying dearth of female characters), but it's a wonderful adventure tale and the basis of a lot of fantasy media.
A People's History of the United States: The version of history we're presented in school is a very sanitized one, and I hope my kids have the intellectual curiosity to investigate past the shiny surface.
Great list! I'd love my kids to read pretty much all of these as well :)
ReplyDeleteThanks! Thinking about books in terms of passing the love on the next generation is a cool way to think about them...I don't know what I'd do if my kids weren't readers!
DeleteMy future children will definitely be reading Harry Potter. All kids need Harry Potter in their lives.
ReplyDeleteAj @ Read All The Things!
Harry Potter is MANDATORY
DeleteGreat choices Gabe!--especially a wrinkle in time--movis coming to a theatre near you-:)
ReplyDeleteI can't wait!
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