Top Ten Tuesday: Books That Should Be Required Reading

Tuesday, September 3, 2013

Top Ten Tuesday is an original feature/weekly meme created by The Broke and the Bookish. The feature was created because they are particularly fond of lists over at The Broke and the Bookish.

Each week they will post a new top ten list that one of our bloggers at The Broke and the Bookish will answer. Everyone is welcome to join. All they ask is that you link back to The Broke and the Bookish on your own Top Ten Tuesday post AND add your name to the Linky widget so that everyone can check out other bloggers lists! If you don't have a blog, just post your answers as a comment. Have fun with it! It's a great way to get to know your fellow bloggers.

Top Ten Books That I Think Should Be Required Reading


1. Breathing Underwater by Alex Flinn - Every teen should be knowledgable about the dangers of abusive relationships. It's powerful, heartbreaking and real.

2. Hate List by Jennifer Brown - This is a dark, moving and powerful book about the damage that one boy causes when he goes on a shooting rampage in school - the aftermath, as well as what led to it.

3. By the Time You Read this, I'll Be Dead by Julie Anne Peters - Suicide is all-too common among teens, as is bullying. It's so important to bring it to the forefront.



4. Scars by Cheryl Rainfield - There is hope for those stuck in the abusive cycle of self-harm. It might not feel like it though, and that's why a book like this is so relevant and powerful.

5. Wintergirls by Laurie Halse Anderson - Eating disorders plague much of the younger generation with the ever-growing desire to be thin and perfect. This makes it real and super powerful.

6. Rabbit Proof Fence by Doris Pilkington - This is a book about perseverance, struggle and the desire to find a better life. Regardless of which culture we live in, this book resonates.


7. Such a Pretty Girl by Laura Wiess - Abusive relationships are not always between relationship partners. Often, the threats are from parents - it's important to understand that fear and pain.

8. Dark Song by Gail Giles - Again, this book discusses the damaging nature of abusive relationships, and it really portrays how manipulated one can be.

9. The Book of Broken Hearts by Sarah Ockler - Despite the syrupy cover, there is tremendous depth to this one - love, loss, losing one's identity to a disease...it's powerful stuff.

10. When You Were Here by Daisy Whitney - Sad, honest, powerful, raw and incredibly well-written, this one transcends the YA bounds and really, really resonates loss and moving on.

18 comments:

  1. Wintergirls definitely should be on everyone's lists, I was awfully moved by that one. I was never aware that Sarah Ockler's book had that type of depth to it. Adding to my wishlist!

    Fab list, Melissa! <33

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    1. Thank you, Melanie! I really underestimated Sarah Ockler's book, and I hope other people avoid that mistake that I made!

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  2. This is a brilliant list Melissa! I agree the Book of Broken Hearts should definitely be a book on the required reading list, it has so much depth and honesty and deals with so many issues in a brilliant way. Also you have so many other books on here that I can't wait to get stuck into! Thanks for sharing a great list with us! :)

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    1. Thanks, Jasprit! It really was such an incredible book - and I had NO clue it was going to be so deep!

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  3. Some of those are on summer reading lists but aren't examined in any detail in class -- I definitely agree about Wintergirls (I'm not overly familiar with some of the others on your list but I'm going to have to check them out!).

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    1. You know, Breathing Underwater used to be required reading until it was banned for lewd material in a Washington school. I wish people would realize that that is reality. It's not pretty.

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  4. I've only read the last two books you mentioned, but Sarah Ockler's novels have so many wonderful themes and messages that students should definitely be understanding. It's a shame more YA isn't read in schools. :/ Lovely list, Melissa!

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  5. I haven't read any of the books you listed, but When you were here and Wintergirls sound interesting :)

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    1. Wintergirls is SO vital for teens...and I hope you read it, Mel!

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  6. Great choices Melissa. I think Wintergirls is an important and powerful book.

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  7. This is quite the list, Melissa. I wouldn't have thought of The Book of Broken Hearts, but now that I think about it, I definitely think it's a deep enough book with a great lesson.
    Two other book I would probably add to your list would be My Life After Now, which deals with a teenager who becomes HIV positive after a one-night stand and What Happens Next about a girl not talking about her rape. Those are both educational books that could undoubtedly help teenagers.
    Thanks for sharing, Melissa! :)

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  8. I've read Wintergirls, but added all the others to my to-read list. These kinds of issue books are a great way to start a dialogue between parents and teens/tweens.

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  9. I think Wintergirls is a very powerful book to read, although can be quite triggering so I might have caution using it in schools. Not sure.

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  10. Thank you so much for including Scars in your list of powerful books that everyone should read! (beaming) I so appreciate it.

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  11. I love The Book of Broken Hearts and Hate List!

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  12. HATE LIST! Yes, that story is intense but definitely worth becoming a required reading book. I still need to read 9 and 10 - it sounds like I have two excellent books to look forward to :)

    Great top ten!

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  13. Oh goodness, I'm a failure at these types of books. The only one I've read is The Book of Broken Hearts. But several are on my list.

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