Most Circulated Titles

The Outsiders

Hinton, S. E., 1948.


No one ever said life was easy. But Ponyboy is pretty sure that he's got things figured out. He knows that he can count on his brothers, Darry and Sodapop. And he knows that he can count on his friends—true friends who would do anything for him, like Johnny and Two-Bit. But not on much else besides trouble with the Socs, a vicious gang of rich kids whose idea of a good time is beating up on “greasers” like Ponyboy. At least he knows what to expect—until the night someone takes things too far.
Date Published:2008

No one ever said life was easy. But Ponyboy is pretty sure that he's got things figured out. He knows that he can count on his brothers, Darry and Sodapop. And he knows that he can count on his friends—true friends who would do anything for him, like Johnny and Two-Bit. But not on much else besides trouble with the Socs, a vicious gang of rich kids whose idea of a good time is beating up on “greasers” like Ponyboy. At least he knows what to expect—until the night someone takes things too far.

Date Published:2008

The Giver

Lowry, Lois.


Authorized alberta Ed. The Giver is a science fiction novel that presents a utopian/dystopian future in which colour, pain and variation have been erased. Conformity, good manners, precise language, and work for the common good are the most highly valued virtues. We discover this world through Jonas, a boy approaching the “Ceremony of Twelve,” a coming-of-age ritual in which young people receive life assignments such as birth mothers, caring for the elderly, or nurturers of the young. Jonas finds that his assignment will be something very different: he is to train as the Receiver of Memory under an aging, bearded sage, the only person with access to the history of humankind. Through mental transmission and the laying-on of hands, “the Giver" allows Jonas to experience everything that has been lost to the new society-everything from the colour and warmth of summer sailing and a family gathering at Christmas to the pain of battle and starvation. Jonas begins to realize that while his carefully modulated society avoids the larger tragedies of history, it creates a more subtle kind of horror. Lowry’s 1993 Newbery Medal winner is at once spellbinding and disturbing. Euthanasia, an infant being put to death, and post puberty medication to eliminate sexual urges are all treated with sensitivity and occur only where integral to the plot. These issues may be difficult for some students. Although Jonas’ rejection of these norms provides the central conflict, the story’s resolution creates an open-ended interpretation that encourages critical thinking and debate.
Date Published:2014

Authorized alberta Ed. The Giver is a science fiction novel that presents a utopian/dystopian future in which colour, pain and variation have been erased. Conformity, good manners, precise language, and work for the common good are the most highly valued virtues. We discover this world through Jonas, a boy approaching the “Ceremony of Twelve,” a coming-of-age ritual in which young people receive life assignments such as birth mothers, caring for the elderly, or nurturers of the young. Jonas finds that his assignment will be something very different: he is to train as the Receiver of Memory under an aging, bearded sage, the only person with access to the history of humankind. Through mental transmission and the laying-on of hands, “the Giver" allows Jonas to experience everything that has been lost to the new society-everything from the colour and warmth of summer sailing and a family gathering at Christmas to the pain of battle and starvation. Jonas begins to realize that while his carefully modulated society avoids the larger tragedies of history, it creates a more subtle kind of horror. Lowry’s 1993 Newbery Medal winner is at once spellbinding and disturbing. Euthanasia, an infant being put to death, and post puberty medication to eliminate sexual urges are all treated with sensitivity and occur only where integral to the plot. These issues may be difficult for some students. Although Jonas’ rejection of these norms provides the central conflict, the story’s resolution creates an open-ended interpretation that encourages critical thinking and debate.

Date Published:2014

Night

Wiesel, Elie.


English 30-1; Recommended. Night is the terrifying account of a Nazi death camp as told by survivor Elie Wiesel. Wiesel was still a teenager when he was taken from his home in Sighet, Transylvania, to the Auschwitz concentration camps and then to Buchenwald. The horror turned this young Jewish boy into an agonized witness to the death of his family, the death of innocence and the death of his God. Even through all this, the story is one of hope and bravery. Night is a warning to humankind to ensure that such an atrocity never happens again. Teachers should undertake the teaching of this novel with considerable preparation and care. The topic is, by its very nature, a sensitive one. The descriptions of violence and cruelty may be objectionable to some students and community members; however, they reinforce that the treatment of Jews in concentration camps during World War II was focused on humiliation, suffering and deprivation. Some of the scenes are particularly unnerving and depressing. Reference is made to cultured people who were victims of genocide while the world remained silent. Although this personal account deals with an historical event, the issues are timeless-man’s inhumanity to man, the struggle to survive against all odds, and the hope that such things will never happen again. Through a series of short, powerful, painful glimpses, its pace and style make Wiesel’s story agonizing and convincing. This excellent cross-curricular book could lead to related research about genocide today. The book is suitable for full class, small group or individual study.
Date Published:2006

English 30-1; Recommended. Night is the terrifying account of a Nazi death camp as told by survivor Elie Wiesel. Wiesel was still a teenager when he was taken from his home in Sighet, Transylvania, to the Auschwitz concentration camps and then to Buchenwald. The horror turned this young Jewish boy into an agonized witness to the death of his family, the death of innocence and the death of his God. Even through all this, the story is one of hope and bravery. Night is a warning to humankind to ensure that such an atrocity never happens again. Teachers should undertake the teaching of this novel with considerable preparation and care. The topic is, by its very nature, a sensitive one. The descriptions of violence and cruelty may be objectionable to some students and community members; however, they reinforce that the treatment of Jews in concentration camps during World War II was focused on humiliation, suffering and deprivation. Some of the scenes are particularly unnerving and depressing. Reference is made to cultured people who were victims of genocide while the world remained silent. Although this personal account deals with an historical event, the issues are timeless-man’s inhumanity to man, the struggle to survive against all odds, and the hope that such things will never happen again. Through a series of short, powerful, painful glimpses, its pace and style make Wiesel’s story agonizing and convincing. This excellent cross-curricular book could lead to related research about genocide today. The book is suitable for full class, small group or individual study.

Date Published:2006

Hatchet

Paulsen, Gary., 1939.


English 10-2 recommended. The engaging story of Hatchet unfolds as 13-year-old Brian Robson flies to visit his father in the Canadian wilderness. The pilot of the plane dies from a massive heart attack. Brian crash-lands the plane in a remote lake and survives a two month ordeal with only a hatchet, a few camping skills, and his instinct for survival. This action-packed adventure offers plot detail and character development. Students should be interested in the physical and emotional growth of Brian, as well as his ability to cope with insurmountable odds. Brian’s fragmented thinking is juxtaposed with the narrator’s sequential descriptions. This style of writing will be highly appealing to many readers. The novel is an easy read, but can provide interesting discussions in small group or full class situations.
Date Published:2006

English 10-2 recommended. The engaging story of Hatchet unfolds as 13-year-old Brian Robson flies to visit his father in the Canadian wilderness. The pilot of the plane dies from a massive heart attack. Brian crash-lands the plane in a remote lake and survives a two month ordeal with only a hatchet, a few camping skills, and his instinct for survival. This action-packed adventure offers plot detail and character development. Students should be interested in the physical and emotional growth of Brian, as well as his ability to cope with insurmountable odds. Brian’s fragmented thinking is juxtaposed with the narrator’s sequential descriptions. This style of writing will be highly appealing to many readers. The novel is an easy read, but can provide interesting discussions in small group or full class situations.

Date Published:2006

Holes

Sachar, Louis., 1954.


In Holes, Stanley Yelnats finds himself plunked down in Camp Green Lake, a work-camp for juvenile delinquents, after being wrongfully accused of theft. Stanley discovers there is no lake, just a gigantic, dry wasteland where daytime temperatures hover around 95 degrees in the shade. All of the boys are sent out each day in the heat to dig holes. The warden, it seems, is convinced that there is buried treasure on the site. When Stanley digs up a tiny cartridge with the initials ‘KB’ on it, enclosed in the shape of a heart, he’s sure he has found a clue. Stanley learns that one hundred and ten years ago, Katherine Barlow, the schoolteacher, refused an offer of marriage from the son of the richest man in the country. Instead, she fell in love with Sam, a negro. There was a law in Texas forbidding their romance, so the gentle schoolmarm became the notorious outlaw Kissin’ Kate Barlow. Holes subtly addresses the themes of justice and friendship through a humourous, descriptive and accessible style that has wide appeal for students.
Date Published:2000

In Holes, Stanley Yelnats finds himself plunked down in Camp Green Lake, a work-camp for juvenile delinquents, after being wrongfully accused of theft. Stanley discovers there is no lake, just a gigantic, dry wasteland where daytime temperatures hover around 95 degrees in the shade. All of the boys are sent out each day in the heat to dig holes. The warden, it seems, is convinced that there is buried treasure on the site. When Stanley digs up a tiny cartridge with the initials ‘KB’ on it, enclosed in the shape of a heart, he’s sure he has found a clue. Stanley learns that one hundred and ten years ago, Katherine Barlow, the schoolteacher, refused an offer of marriage from the son of the richest man in the country. Instead, she fell in love with Sam, a negro. There was a law in Texas forbidding their romance, so the gentle schoolmarm became the notorious outlaw Kissin’ Kate Barlow. Holes subtly addresses the themes of justice and friendship through a humourous, descriptive and accessible style that has wide appeal for students.

Date Published:2000

To Kill a Mockingbird

LEE, HARPER.


Recommended reading for English 10-1 In Alabama, during the Depression, Scout, the protagonist of To Kill a Mockingbird, develops a growing awareness of good and evil in the world around her; racial and class prejudice within both the black and white communities, and the religious prejudices of the various sects of the area. Counterbalancing this are the positive qualities of compassion, sympathy, understanding and wisdom demonstrated by various characters, primarily Scout’s father, Atticus. Told from Scout’s point of view, the novel is a look at the past: a child’s experiences described with the perception of an adult. The novel deals with complex ethical issues, and may require a great deal of class discussion. Characters, such as Atticus, demonstrate that one individual can make a difference. Treatment of blacks in Alabama is described clearly and movingly, and the historical time frame is accurate. Some of the characters use language indicating racial and class prejudices; however, this language reflects the attitudes and circumstances of the people at that time. The novel promotes tolerance and understanding through the main characters of Scout and Atticus Finch.
Date Published:

Recommended reading for English 10-1 In Alabama, during the Depression, Scout, the protagonist of To Kill a Mockingbird, develops a growing awareness of good and evil in the world around her; racial and class prejudice within both the black and white communities, and the religious prejudices of the various sects of the area. Counterbalancing this are the positive qualities of compassion, sympathy, understanding and wisdom demonstrated by various characters, primarily Scout’s father, Atticus. Told from Scout’s point of view, the novel is a look at the past: a child’s experiences described with the perception of an adult. The novel deals with complex ethical issues, and may require a great deal of class discussion. Characters, such as Atticus, demonstrate that one individual can make a difference. Treatment of blacks in Alabama is described clearly and movingly, and the historical time frame is accurate. Some of the characters use language indicating racial and class prejudices; however, this language reflects the attitudes and circumstances of the people at that time. The novel promotes tolerance and understanding through the main characters of Scout and Atticus Finch.

Date Published:

Freak the Mighty

Philbrick, Rodman


Authorized Alberta Ed. Freak the Mighty is a poignant tale of two misfits who find the power to overcome their fear of the intolerant outside world. Max, the narrator, is an overgrown eighth-grade kid who is labelled “learning disabled” by his teachers. With his mother dead and his father in prison, Max lives in the basement of his grandparents’ house, where he can escape from a friendless world. Everything changes the day Kevin-“Freak”-moves in next door. Freak has a normal-sized head but a body the size of a two-year-old. He gets around on crutches, but is soon riding on Max’s shoulders, creating a formidable Arthurian knight. Their imaginary quests form an invincible bond. Freak helps Max get moved from the learning disabled class into an academic class and supports him when his father gets out of jail and goes on a rampage. In the end, Freak gives Max something magical: a blank book for writing down their legend. Rodman Philbrick portrays both Max and Freak with a skill that makes their vulnerabilities and their triumphs come alive for students. The voice of Max as the narrator is touching and funny. Freak the Mighty explores loyalty and friendship within an easy and high-interest read.
Date Published:2018

Authorized Alberta Ed. Freak the Mighty is a poignant tale of two misfits who find the power to overcome their fear of the intolerant outside world. Max, the narrator, is an overgrown eighth-grade kid who is labelled “learning disabled” by his teachers. With his mother dead and his father in prison, Max lives in the basement of his grandparents’ house, where he can escape from a friendless world. Everything changes the day Kevin-“Freak”-moves in next door. Freak has a normal-sized head but a body the size of a two-year-old. He gets around on crutches, but is soon riding on Max’s shoulders, creating a formidable Arthurian knight. Their imaginary quests form an invincible bond. Freak helps Max get moved from the learning disabled class into an academic class and supports him when his father gets out of jail and goes on a rampage. In the end, Freak gives Max something magical: a blank book for writing down their legend. Rodman Philbrick portrays both Max and Freak with a skill that makes their vulnerabilities and their triumphs come alive for students. The voice of Max as the narrator is touching and funny. Freak the Mighty explores loyalty and friendship within an easy and high-interest read.

Date Published:2018

Romeo and Juliet

Shakespeare, William, 1564-1616.


In William Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet, a long feud between the Montague and Capulet families disrupts the city of Verona and causes tragic results for Romeo and Juliet. Revenge, love, and a secret marriage force the young star-crossed lovers to grow up quickly — and fate causes them to commit suicide in despair. Contrast and conflict are running themes throughout Shakespeare's play, Romeo and Juliet — one of the Bard's most popular romantic tragedies.
Date Published:1999

In William Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet, a long feud between the Montague and Capulet families disrupts the city of Verona and causes tragic results for Romeo and Juliet. Revenge, love, and a secret marriage force the young star-crossed lovers to grow up quickly — and fate causes them to commit suicide in despair. Contrast and conflict are running themes throughout Shakespeare's play, Romeo and Juliet — one of the Bard's most popular romantic tragedies.

Date Published:1999

Charlie and the chocolate factory

Dahl, Roald., 1916.


Grades 3 - 6. Willy Wonka's famous chocolate factory is opening at last! But only five lucky children will be allowed inside. And the winners are: Augustus Gloop, an enormously fat boy whose hobby is eating; Veruca Salt, a spoiled-rotten brat whose parents are wrapped around her little finger; Violet Beauregarde, a dim-witted gum-chewer with the fastest jaws around; Mike Teavee, a toy pistol-toting gangster-in-training who is obsessed with television; and Charlie Bucket, Our Hero, a boy who is honest and kind, brave and true, and good and ready for the wildest time of his life!
Date Published:2013

Grades 3 - 6. Willy Wonka's famous chocolate factory is opening at last! But only five lucky children will be allowed inside. And the winners are: Augustus Gloop, an enormously fat boy whose hobby is eating; Veruca Salt, a spoiled-rotten brat whose parents are wrapped around her little finger; Violet Beauregarde, a dim-witted gum-chewer with the fastest jaws around; Mike Teavee, a toy pistol-toting gangster-in-training who is obsessed with television; and Charlie Bucket, Our Hero, a boy who is honest and kind, brave and true, and good and ready for the wildest time of his life!

Date Published:2013

A streetcar named Desire

Williams, Tennesee.


Blanche DuBois, a haggard and fragile southern beauty finds her pathetic last grasp at happiness cruelly destroyed in large part by her brother-in-law Stanley Kowalski. .
Date Published:

Lord of the flies

Golding,William., 1911.


Lord of the Flies, an allegory in which a group of English schoolboys, being evacuated during a nuclear war, are stranded on an uninhabited tropical island. Under the leadership of Ralph, who is staunchly supported by the pragmatic Piggy and the visionary Simon, all goes well initially. But irrational fears arise threatening the boys’ sense of security. Irresponsible behaviour increases; the children, under the dictatorial influence of Jack, rapidly sink into savagery. Simon is mindlessly and brutally killed. Evil has been unleashed. At the culmination of the story, help arrives in the person of a naval officer; ironically, the boys will return to an adult world where the apparent order of civilization is threatened by the same forces of disorder they have just experienced. Golding has said that his purpose in the novel was to trace the defects of society back to basic defects in human nature. Several elements combine to illustrate the forces of reason and morality at war with the dark forces of human nature. The same evil forces prevail in the adult world as well. Characterization, conflict, plot development, foreshadowing, irony, suspense, imagery and symbolism are prominent aspects. A careful reading of the book reveals a critical view of modern society. The tightness of structure, the power of the narrative and the imaginativeness of the writing give a dramatically forceful depiction of the “darkness in the human heart.
Date Published:1954

Lord of the Flies, an allegory in which a group of English schoolboys, being evacuated during a nuclear war, are stranded on an uninhabited tropical island. Under the leadership of Ralph, who is staunchly supported by the pragmatic Piggy and the visionary Simon, all goes well initially. But irrational fears arise threatening the boys’ sense of security. Irresponsible behaviour increases; the children, under the dictatorial influence of Jack, rapidly sink into savagery. Simon is mindlessly and brutally killed. Evil has been unleashed. At the culmination of the story, help arrives in the person of a naval officer; ironically, the boys will return to an adult world where the apparent order of civilization is threatened by the same forces of disorder they have just experienced. Golding has said that his purpose in the novel was to trace the defects of society back to basic defects in human nature. Several elements combine to illustrate the forces of reason and morality at war with the dark forces of human nature. The same evil forces prevail in the adult world as well. Characterization, conflict, plot development, foreshadowing, irony, suspense, imagery and symbolism are prominent aspects. A careful reading of the book reveals a critical view of modern society. The tightness of structure, the power of the narrative and the imaginativeness of the writing give a dramatically forceful depiction of the “darkness in the human heart.

Date Published:1954

The Breadwinner

Ellis, Deborah.


Authorized novel - Grade 6. The Breadwinner is a poignant novel about an 11-year-old girl who must take on the dangerous task of supporting her family in Taliban-controlled Afghanistan. As a girl, Parvana is not allowed to attend school, but her bitterness about this is alleviated somewhat by the fact that she can accompany her father into the market where he makes a small living reading and writing letters for the illiterate. When the Taliban imprison Parvana’s father, the family faces the horrifying prospect that, since women are not allowed outside the home alone, they will have no source of income. It is decided that Parvana, who can read and write, must disguise herself as a boy and take her father’s place in the market. Later Parvana encounters Shauzia, another girl in disguise, and they decide to increase their income by collecting and selling bones from a bombed cemetery to a bone merchant. This experience in particular affects Parvana deeply and makes her long for a safer, easier life. Having worked with Afghan refugees, Deborah Ellis writes from a close knowledge of human rights abuses under the Taliban regime. Descriptions brutality and violence are particularly disturbing but ultimately The Breadwinner is a story celebrating the stamina and spirit of a young girl in the face of great odds. Providing readers with a review of the historical context of Kabul from 1978-2001 will prepare them for the harsh reality of war described throughout the text. .
Date Published:

Authorized novel - Grade 6. The Breadwinner is a poignant novel about an 11-year-old girl who must take on the dangerous task of supporting her family in Taliban-controlled Afghanistan. As a girl, Parvana is not allowed to attend school, but her bitterness about this is alleviated somewhat by the fact that she can accompany her father into the market where he makes a small living reading and writing letters for the illiterate. When the Taliban imprison Parvana’s father, the family faces the horrifying prospect that, since women are not allowed outside the home alone, they will have no source of income. It is decided that Parvana, who can read and write, must disguise herself as a boy and take her father’s place in the market. Later Parvana encounters Shauzia, another girl in disguise, and they decide to increase their income by collecting and selling bones from a bombed cemetery to a bone merchant. This experience in particular affects Parvana deeply and makes her long for a safer, easier life. Having worked with Afghan refugees, Deborah Ellis writes from a close knowledge of human rights abuses under the Taliban regime. Descriptions brutality and violence are particularly disturbing but ultimately The Breadwinner is a story celebrating the stamina and spirit of a young girl in the face of great odds. Providing readers with a review of the historical context of Kabul from 1978-2001 will prepare them for the harsh reality of war described throughout the text. .

Date Published:

Fantastic Mr. Fox

Dahl, Roald., 1916.


Nobody outfoxes Fantastic Mr. Fox! Someone's been stealing from the three meanest farmers around, and they know the identity of the thief—it's Fantastic Mr. Fox! Working alone they could never catch him; but now fat Boggis, squat Bunce, and skinny Bean have joined forces, and they have Mr. Fox and his family surrounded. What they don't know is that they're not dealing with just any fox—Mr. Fox would rather die than surrender. Only the most fantastic plan can save him now.
Date Published:2007

Nobody outfoxes Fantastic Mr. Fox! Someone's been stealing from the three meanest farmers around, and they know the identity of the thief—it's Fantastic Mr. Fox! Working alone they could never catch him; but now fat Boggis, squat Bunce, and skinny Bean have joined forces, and they have Mr. Fox and his family surrounded. What they don't know is that they're not dealing with just any fox—Mr. Fox would rather die than surrender. Only the most fantastic plan can save him now.

Date Published:2007

Freckle juice

Blume, Judy., 1938.


Nicky has freckles—they cover his face, his ears, and the whole back of his neck. Sitting behind him in class, Andrew once counted eighty-six of them, and that was just a start! If Andrew had freckles like Nicky, his mother would never know if his neck was dirty. One day after school, Andrew works up enough courage to ask Nicky where he got his freckles. When know-it-all Sharon overhears, she offers Andrew her secret freckle juice recipe—if he pays. Andrew is desperate and feels it's worth it. At home he carefully mixes the strange combination of ingredients. Then the unexpected happens...
Date Published:1986

Nicky has freckles—they cover his face, his ears, and the whole back of his neck. Sitting behind him in class, Andrew once counted eighty-six of them, and that was just a start! If Andrew had freckles like Nicky, his mother would never know if his neck was dirty. One day after school, Andrew works up enough courage to ask Nicky where he got his freckles. When know-it-all Sharon overhears, she offers Andrew her secret freckle juice recipe—if he pays. Andrew is desperate and feels it's worth it. At home he carefully mixes the strange combination of ingredients. Then the unexpected happens...

Date Published:1986

Of mice and men

Steinbeck, John., 1902.


In Of Mice and Men, Steinbeck tells the story of two ironically-named drifters, George Milton and Lennie Small, who arrive at a California ranch during the Depression. Not realizing his own strength or size, the intellectually disabled Lennie has, in the past, accidentally killed his pet mice, and eventually he kills his boss’ daughter-in-law. George, who has lovingly cared for and looked after Lennie, realizes that this death has killed his dream of acquiring his own ranch, and that he must find Lennie before the ranch hands do. George does find Lennie first and realizes that he must kill his friend as an act of love, in order to remove him from further suffering. “A guy needs somebody-to be near him. A guy goes nuts if he ain’t got nobody ... I tell ya a guy gets too lonely an’ he gets sick.” These words, spoken by Crooks, a black ranch hand, identify the theme. The style of the novel is simple-the words are mainly monosyllabic, suggesting the nature of the people Steinbeck is describing. The sentence structure is often rhythmic, poetic, portraying sometimes a mood of peace and tranquility, and sometimes one of violence. The simplicity of the setting lends itself to a discussion of unity, symbol and theme. In the classroom, it is important to reflect on the social considerations of alienation, desire, love, dignity and commitment. Some of the characters use profane language, but this punctuates the emotions that have been stirred up and reflects the attitudes found in the lives and circumstances of American workers at that time.
Date Published:1993

In Of Mice and Men, Steinbeck tells the story of two ironically-named drifters, George Milton and Lennie Small, who arrive at a California ranch during the Depression. Not realizing his own strength or size, the intellectually disabled Lennie has, in the past, accidentally killed his pet mice, and eventually he kills his boss’ daughter-in-law. George, who has lovingly cared for and looked after Lennie, realizes that this death has killed his dream of acquiring his own ranch, and that he must find Lennie before the ranch hands do. George does find Lennie first and realizes that he must kill his friend as an act of love, in order to remove him from further suffering. “A guy needs somebody-to be near him. A guy goes nuts if he ain’t got nobody ... I tell ya a guy gets too lonely an’ he gets sick.” These words, spoken by Crooks, a black ranch hand, identify the theme. The style of the novel is simple-the words are mainly monosyllabic, suggesting the nature of the people Steinbeck is describing. The sentence structure is often rhythmic, poetic, portraying sometimes a mood of peace and tranquility, and sometimes one of violence. The simplicity of the setting lends itself to a discussion of unity, symbol and theme. In the classroom, it is important to reflect on the social considerations of alienation, desire, love, dignity and commitment. Some of the characters use profane language, but this punctuates the emotions that have been stirred up and reflects the attitudes found in the lives and circumstances of American workers at that time.

Date Published:1993

The Great Gatsby

Fitzgerald, F. Scott.


English 20. Nick Carraway, the narrator of The Great Gatsby, moves to New York and rents a home in the Long Island colony of West Egg. From a relatively neutral vantage point, Nick is able to observe the lives of those he encounters. The contrast between poverty and wealth and the struggles to achieve an “American Dream” are depicted through each character. A reflection of the historical values and morality of the 1930s becomes evident as Nick examines the plight of Gatsby in his pursuit of Daisy, Tom Buchanan’s wife, Tom Buchanan’s adultery, the escapades in New York, and the adherence to the superficial values of riches and self-gratification. Despondent by what he sees and learns, Nick leaves New York. This edition contains introductory material, a glossary, and study suggestions. The novel provides students with an opportunity to examine structure, style, character development, narrative voice and point of view, and symbolism and setting.
Date Published:2018

English 20. Nick Carraway, the narrator of The Great Gatsby, moves to New York and rents a home in the Long Island colony of West Egg. From a relatively neutral vantage point, Nick is able to observe the lives of those he encounters. The contrast between poverty and wealth and the struggles to achieve an “American Dream” are depicted through each character. A reflection of the historical values and morality of the 1930s becomes evident as Nick examines the plight of Gatsby in his pursuit of Daisy, Tom Buchanan’s wife, Tom Buchanan’s adultery, the escapades in New York, and the adherence to the superficial values of riches and self-gratification. Despondent by what he sees and learns, Nick leaves New York. This edition contains introductory material, a glossary, and study suggestions. The novel provides students with an opportunity to examine structure, style, character development, narrative voice and point of view, and symbolism and setting.

Date Published:2018

Macbeth

Shakespeare, William, 1564-1616.


Harcourt Shakespeare provides an integrated language arts approach. In selecting and completing individual activities, students discover opportunities to: Develop their skills in reading, writing, speaking, listening and viewing Discuss and/or write about their feelings and responses to characters, situations and concepts Keep personal journals Complete independent learning projects Create director logs Improvise, role-play or dramatize scene segments Make video recordings . Macbeth (/məkˈbɛθ/, full title The Tragedie of Macbeth) is a tragedy by William Shakespeare. It is thought to have been first performed in 1606.[a] It dramatises the damaging physical and psychological effects of political ambition on those who seek power. Of all the plays that Shakespeare wrote during the reign of James I, Macbeth most clearly reflects his relationship with King James, patron of Shakespeare's acting company.[1] It was first published in the Folio of 1623, possibly from a prompt book, and is Shakespeare's shortest tragedy.[2] A brave Scottish general named Macbeth receives a prophecy from a trio of witches that one day he will become King of Scotland. Consumed by ambition and spurred to action by his wife, Macbeth murders King Duncan and takes the Scottish throne for himself. He is then wracked with guilt and paranoia. Forced to commit more and more murders to protect himself from enmity and suspicion, he soon becomes a tyrannical ruler. The bloodbath and consequent civil war swiftly take Macbeth and Lady Macbeth into the realms of madness and death. Shakespeare's source for the story is the account of Macbeth, King of Scotland, Macduff, and Duncan in Holinshed's Chronicles (1587), a history of England, Scotland, and Ireland familiar to Shakespeare and his contemporaries, although the events in the play differ extensively from the history of the real Macbeth. The events of the tragedy are usually associated with the execution of Henry Garnet for complicity in the Gunpowder Plot of 1605.[3] In the backstage world of theatre, some believe that the play is cursed, and will not mention its title aloud, referring to it instead as "The Scottish Play". The play has attracted some of the most renowned actors to the roles of Macbeth and Lady Macbeth, and has been adapted to film, television, opera, novels, comics, and other media.
Date Published:

Harcourt Shakespeare provides an integrated language arts approach. In selecting and completing individual activities, students discover opportunities to: Develop their skills in reading, writing, speaking, listening and viewing Discuss and/or write about their feelings and responses to characters, situations and concepts Keep personal journals Complete independent learning projects Create director logs Improvise, role-play or dramatize scene segments Make video recordings . Macbeth (/məkˈbɛθ/, full title The Tragedie of Macbeth) is a tragedy by William Shakespeare. It is thought to have been first performed in 1606.[a] It dramatises the damaging physical and psychological effects of political ambition on those who seek power. Of all the plays that Shakespeare wrote during the reign of James I, Macbeth most clearly reflects his relationship with King James, patron of Shakespeare's acting company.[1] It was first published in the Folio of 1623, possibly from a prompt book, and is Shakespeare's shortest tragedy.[2] A brave Scottish general named Macbeth receives a prophecy from a trio of witches that one day he will become King of Scotland. Consumed by ambition and spurred to action by his wife, Macbeth murders King Duncan and takes the Scottish throne for himself. He is then wracked with guilt and paranoia. Forced to commit more and more murders to protect himself from enmity and suspicion, he soon becomes a tyrannical ruler. The bloodbath and consequent civil war swiftly take Macbeth and Lady Macbeth into the realms of madness and death. Shakespeare's source for the story is the account of Macbeth, King of Scotland, Macduff, and Duncan in Holinshed's Chronicles (1587), a history of England, Scotland, and Ireland familiar to Shakespeare and his contemporaries, although the events in the play differ extensively from the history of the real Macbeth. The events of the tragedy are usually associated with the execution of Henry Garnet for complicity in the Gunpowder Plot of 1605.[3] In the backstage world of theatre, some believe that the play is cursed, and will not mention its title aloud, referring to it instead as "The Scottish Play". The play has attracted some of the most renowned actors to the roles of Macbeth and Lady Macbeth, and has been adapted to film, television, opera, novels, comics, and other media.

Date Published:

The glass castle : a memoir /

Walls, Jeannette., 1960.


MORE THAN EIGHT YEARS ON THE NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER LIST The extraordinary, one-of-a-kind, “nothing short of spectacular” (Entertainment Weekly) memoir from one of the world’s most gifted storytellers. The Glass Castle is a remarkable memoir of resilience and redemption, and a revelatory look into a family at once deeply dysfunctional and uniquely vibrant. When sober, Jeannette’s brilliant and charismatic father captured his children’s imagination, teaching them physics, geology, and how to embrace life fearlessly. But when he drank, he was dishonest and destructive. Her mother was a free spirit who abhorred the idea of domesticity and didn’t want the responsibility of raising a family. The Walls children learned to take care of themselves. They fed, clothed, and protected one another, and eventually found their way to New York. Their parents followed them, choosing to be homeless even as their children prospered. The Glass Castle is truly astonishing—a memoir permeated by the intense love of a peculiar but loyal family. The memoir was also made into a major motion picture from Lionsgate in 2017 starring Brie Larson, Woody Harrelson, and Naomi Watts.
Date Published:2006

MORE THAN EIGHT YEARS ON THE NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER LIST The extraordinary, one-of-a-kind, “nothing short of spectacular” (Entertainment Weekly) memoir from one of the world’s most gifted storytellers. The Glass Castle is a remarkable memoir of resilience and redemption, and a revelatory look into a family at once deeply dysfunctional and uniquely vibrant. When sober, Jeannette’s brilliant and charismatic father captured his children’s imagination, teaching them physics, geology, and how to embrace life fearlessly. But when he drank, he was dishonest and destructive. Her mother was a free spirit who abhorred the idea of domesticity and didn’t want the responsibility of raising a family. The Walls children learned to take care of themselves. They fed, clothed, and protected one another, and eventually found their way to New York. Their parents followed them, choosing to be homeless even as their children prospered. The Glass Castle is truly astonishing—a memoir permeated by the intense love of a peculiar but loyal family. The memoir was also made into a major motion picture from Lionsgate in 2017 starring Brie Larson, Woody Harrelson, and Naomi Watts.

Date Published:2006

The Alchemist


Authorized Alberta Ed. The Alchemist is a gentle and charming adventure fable. It is told with magic and wonder by Brazilian author Paulo Coelho. The main character of the book, Santiago, is an Andalusian shepherd boy who leaves Spain in search of treasure. Eventually, Santiago finds his way to the Egyptian desert where he meets an alchemist who offers metaphysical lessons and wisdom on life. The message of the book is suggested by the subtitle: you find your purpose by following your own dreams and bliss. The book suggests that we must often go on a metaphorical and spiritual quest to fulfill our nature and destiny. However, despite some incidental allusions to God, Allah, the Philosopher’s Stone, the Elixir of Life, angels, rabbis and Sons of God, this novella does not demand religious belief and does not favour any specific religious denomination. Rather, it is an open-ended fable that will appeal to high school students who are beginning to ask their own questions about life’s purpose and meaning. The story is simply written and appropriate for students at diverse reading levels.
Date Published:

Authorized Alberta Ed. The Alchemist is a gentle and charming adventure fable. It is told with magic and wonder by Brazilian author Paulo Coelho. The main character of the book, Santiago, is an Andalusian shepherd boy who leaves Spain in search of treasure. Eventually, Santiago finds his way to the Egyptian desert where he meets an alchemist who offers metaphysical lessons and wisdom on life. The message of the book is suggested by the subtitle: you find your purpose by following your own dreams and bliss. The book suggests that we must often go on a metaphorical and spiritual quest to fulfill our nature and destiny. However, despite some incidental allusions to God, Allah, the Philosopher’s Stone, the Elixir of Life, angels, rabbis and Sons of God, this novella does not demand religious belief and does not favour any specific religious denomination. Rather, it is an open-ended fable that will appeal to high school students who are beginning to ask their own questions about life’s purpose and meaning. The story is simply written and appropriate for students at diverse reading levels.

Date Published:

I Am David

Holm, Anne


I Am David follows a twelve-year-old Jewish boy fleeing from a concentration camp during the Holocaust to find safety in Denmark. David is bewildered and suspicious when a guard he has always despised arranges for his escape from the concentration camp, but he is willing to take the risk and follow the guard’s plan of travelling to Salonica where he can work his way northward to Denmark. David finds his way to Salonica and stows away on a ship headed for Italy. When he is discovered, David experiences the first of many kind acts from strangers. Later, when David rescues a young girl named Maria from a burning shed, the grateful family takes him in. However, after a few weeks, David realizes Maria’s mother is nervous about their mysterious houseguest and he leaves, continuing the long route to Denmark. I Am David is a testimony to claiming one’s identity and individuality. The novel shows the plight of countless children after World War II and the random relocation of shattered families, while emphasizing the value of courage, resilience and trust. Throughout David’s profoundly moving journey to find his roots in Denmark during the 1950s, the reader shares his experiences as he discovers a world that is dramatically different from the only world he has ever known-the dull, colourless, mean existence of the camp.
Date Published:2018

I Am David follows a twelve-year-old Jewish boy fleeing from a concentration camp during the Holocaust to find safety in Denmark. David is bewildered and suspicious when a guard he has always despised arranges for his escape from the concentration camp, but he is willing to take the risk and follow the guard’s plan of travelling to Salonica where he can work his way northward to Denmark. David finds his way to Salonica and stows away on a ship headed for Italy. When he is discovered, David experiences the first of many kind acts from strangers. Later, when David rescues a young girl named Maria from a burning shed, the grateful family takes him in. However, after a few weeks, David realizes Maria’s mother is nervous about their mysterious houseguest and he leaves, continuing the long route to Denmark. I Am David is a testimony to claiming one’s identity and individuality. The novel shows the plight of countless children after World War II and the random relocation of shattered families, while emphasizing the value of courage, resilience and trust. Throughout David’s profoundly moving journey to find his roots in Denmark during the 1950s, the reader shares his experiences as he discovers a world that is dramatically different from the only world he has ever known-the dull, colourless, mean existence of the camp.

Date Published:2018