momof2boys Posted May 3, 2008 Share Posted May 3, 2008 I have way to many books that I think my son would enjoy for American Literature(I literally have pages and pages). So I need to narrow the list down. What are your not to miss books from each of these authors? William Faulkner John Steinbeck James Fenimore Cooper Ernest Hemingway William Golding Washington Irving Nathanial Hawthorne Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kathleen Posted May 4, 2008 Share Posted May 4, 2008 I honestly don't think most high schoolers read Faulkner novels--they may read a short story, like A Rose for Emily, or The Bear. His novels are pretty dense (though I like them). I think you can safely read excerpts of Fenimore Cooper. He's not known for his excellent prose style! But he's important historically. Hawthorne's classic is The Scarlet Letter, of course, and I think I would pick The Old Man and the Sea for Hemingway. I'm not a Steinbeck fan and have only read The Grapes of Wrath. He has a lot of good short stories, though! I'm actually going to tackle East of Eden this summer to see if we'll add that to the 20th C lit class I'm teaching next year. If I'm not mistaken, William Golding is British, so you're off the hook there :). (He wrote Lord of the Flies). With Irving, I would do a short story, and maybe a poem--Sleepy Hollow? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cajun.classical Posted May 5, 2008 Share Posted May 5, 2008 Agreeing with Kathleen. The Scarlet Letter is a pretty standard American lit title, but the other authors could easily be covered through short stories. You don't want to miss "Rip Van Winkle" by Irving. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kortney in AL Posted May 5, 2008 Share Posted May 5, 2008 This author wasn't on your list, but I'd include some of O. Henry's stories. We did American Lit this year and my son (who hates reading) actually enjoyed those. The stories are usually short and the endings have a bit of a twist. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sharon in MD Posted May 5, 2008 Share Posted May 5, 2008 I'd just add that my absolute favorites from this past year with our ds have been The Scarlett Letter - Hawthorne Huckleberry Finn - Twaine...a must for boys, don't miss it. Anything by Poe, if you can get the audio cd's of the short stories by Blackstone, they are a blast to listen to. Rip Van Winkle and the Legend of Sleep Hollow by Irving....very fast reads but so fun We didn't get to To Kill a Mockingbird, but I'm going to have him read it this summer HAve fun! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tbmoran Posted May 6, 2008 Share Posted May 6, 2008 We liked: Steinbeck - Grapes of Wrath (have to watch the cursing though) Hawthorne - Scarlet Letter Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.