I see educators asking all the time for lists of books on all topics and genres. I will create some here, including both recent publications and relevant (hopefully still in print) older titles. If you have any suggestions that would qualify, please add them in the comments.
Medieval Fiction List – useful for middle grade classes studying Medieval History and need a supporting (optional) fictional text. Includes books from Western and Eastern cultures. Also books set in fantasy worlds, but that offer lifestyles similar to a medieval landscape.
Contemporary books – [Updated (again) 231019] A list of books in which young people are faced with conflict and tension, as a way to develop character growth. Some are inspirational, others are aspirational, and generally they do not have an excess of violence, strong language or depressing resolutions. Australian titles are indicated by ‘Oz’ in the date column. Appropriate for Years 7 – 9 (11 to 14 year olds).
For a teacher-librarian conference, I developed a list of recent releases both Australian and international that are my recommendations for class sets for Years 7 to 10. Obviously there can be some movement between year levels. Some schools may select a book like ‘Detention’ in year 6 or year 8, so just because I place it in year 7 doesn’t mean it can’t be used elsewhere. As always, I also recommend you read these texts yourself since I do not know your cohort at all. These are just recommendations and I would be happy to provide others if you have more specific criteria.
There is a growing awareness of the need to have books that include diversity and inclusiveness. I have developed three lists that include books where people of colour (poc), people with disabilities, and LGBTQIA people are the main characters in their own stories, and are represented positively. By that I mean, they are treated the same as anyone else – they have flaws, they make mistakes, they try to be better, and they have healthy relationships. Some of the books do try to elicit compassion and empathy from readers, and by doing so, they attempt to educate and inform others about what it’s like to experience a different sort of life.
Ethnic Diversity – Middle & Senior [Updated 231019]
Characters with a disability – Middle & Senior – includes physical, psychological, and medical representations [Updated 231019]
Updated (again) 260421]
Middle and Senior fiction books that have some variation of the fine arts, including traditional methods (painting, illustrating and drawing), as well as more modern expressions – Installation Art, Graffiti or Street Art, Graphic novels and Digital Art.
Senior Boy books – [Updated (again) [231019] I started this list when I heard a teacher librarian lament that there were very few ‘sporty’ books for reluctant Year 11 or 12 boys. I thought I could find more, but turns out, she is right. So I broadened my search to books that included, music, pop culture, and boys who are angry. Then it exploded when I added science fiction, fantasy and any book I was able to sell as a librarian in a boy’s school (for 10 years). These are for older boys as there is mature content – swearing, drinking and some drug-taking, sexual references, and violence.
It also occurs to me that some people love Pinterest. I have been maintaining lists of books over there for some time now. Check them out!
Trish Talks Texts 