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Recommended Reading for grade 12.

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Here is a list of books our teacher editors suggest for students in grade 12. Our selections include titles for both girls and boys who have a variety of interests. These selections include both "academic" and "recreational" reading suggestions. Check the synopsis for the book that might interest your student.

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Adventures of Huckleberry Finn - by Mark Twain

Mark Twain's tale of a young boy's journey on the Mississippi, and the people he meets on the way.

Alive - by Piers Paul Read

Two dozen rugby players must survive in the Andes mountains when their plane crashes.

All Quiet on the Western Front - by Erich Maria Remarque

This story of World War I ranks in the same class as Crane's Red Badge of Courage in its portrayal of both the horrors and ironies of war. It's a powerful tale that forces its readers to contemplate the terrible price of conflict.

Among Grizzlies: Living With Wild Bears in Alaska - by Timothy Treadwell

The true accounts of the adventures of one man who visited Alaska several times over ten years and lived with bears. You are bound to learn a lot about these wonderful animals in this book.

The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman - by Ernest Gaines

In this novel Ernest Gaines creates the character of 110-year-old Miss Jane Pittman, who shares recollections from the times of slavery to the 1960's. This fascinating character teaches both history and compassion.

Beloved - by Toni Morrison

This story, part mystery, part romance, part history, part ghost story, will linger in your memory long after summer is gone.

Between a Rock and a Hard Place - by Alden Carter

Mark and his diabetic cousin must survive in the wilderness.

The Catcher in the Rye - by J.D. Salinger

The classic coming-of-age story of an adolescent in 1950's America. You will never forget Holden Caulfield!

Crime and Punishment - by Fyodor Dostoevsky

St. Petersburg student Raskolnikov becomes desperate and plans the "perfect" murder-but his conscience haunts him to the brink of madness.

The Crucible - by Arthur Miller

Diary of a Young Girl - by Anne Frank

Anne Frank's diary of her time in hiding from the Germans is a classic of hope in a world of despair.

The Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood - by Rebecca Wells

Soon to be a movie, this sassy sisterhood will teach you how divine it is to have good friends!

Education of Little Tree - by Forrest Carter

An account of Cherokee life in the 1930's.

The Endurance: Shackleton's Legendary Antarctic Expedition - by Caroline Alexander

Follow Shackleton's ill-fated expedition and its struggle for survival along the coast of Antarctica. Decide for yourself whether Shackleton was a tyrant or a masterful leader.

The French Lieutenant's Woman - by John Fowles

Meet Sarah: a mysterious woman you will never forget. Fowles' tale combines mystery, philosophy, romance and history in a can't-put-it-down read.

A Gathering of Old Men - by Ernest Gaines

A book that explores the tragedies of racial tension and reveals the rewards of compassion and concern.

The Grapes of Wrath - by John Steinbeck

Steinbeck's stark novel about a family's migration from Oklahoma to California during the days of the dust bowl.

Henderson the Rain King - by Saul Bellow

Join this off-the-wall adventure in Bellow's classic comedy.

The Hunt for Red October - by Tom Clancy

One of Clancy's best- this fast-paced adventure centers on the search for the Soviet sub Red October. It will keep you on the edge of your seat!

I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings - by Maya Angelou

A novel of amazing proportions celebrating the strength of human spirit.

Into Thin Air - by Jon Krakauer

True accounting of a series of Mt. Everest expeditions that go awry in fickle weather.

Jane Eyre - by Charlotte Bronte

This story is about a whole lot more than the life of a governess. Jane Eyre remains one of the most important heroines in British literature.

The Joy Luck Club - by Amy Tan

Written from an interesting shifting narrative perspective, the story chronicles the cultural and generational differences in four Chinese-American families.

The Man Who Rode Sharks - by William R. Royal

Journey with Shandy, Jib, and Jackson as they search for buried treasure, avoid pirates, and survive being shipwrecked on the Florida Gulf Coast. This adventure is a great summer read!

The Merchant of Venice - by William Shakespeare

Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil - by John Berendt

A murder mystery unfolds against the backdrop of colorful Savannah, Georgia.

Midsummer Night's Dream - by William Shakespeare

Much Ado About Nothing - by William Shakespeare

The Night of the Grizzlies - by Jack Olsen

Accounting of fatal attacks in the national parks in 1968.

Othello - by William Shakespeare

The Perfect Storm - by Sebastian Younger

The true story of the fishing boat Andrea Gail caught in the middle of a huge storm off the coast of Maine in 1991.

The Perks of Being a Wallflower - by Stephen Chbosky

Meet main character Charlie, as he endures the agonies and rewards of growing up in he modern world.

Pride and Prejudice - by Jane Austen

The Red Badge of Courage - by Stephen Crane

Crane's classic war novel examines important issues with the creation of his young hero, Henry Fleming.

Reservation Blues - by Sherman Alexie

Native American culture and rock 'n roll - this unique novel is a great summer read!

The Return of the King - by J. R. R. Tolkien

Tolkien was a contemporary of C. S. Lewis and a lover of Norse and Icelandic myths. This novel is the conslusion of his epic story of Frodo Baggins and his journey to vanquish dark forces.

Robinson Crusoe - by Daniel Defoe

The classic shipwreck story, told in great detail.

The Shipping News - by Annie E. Proulx

Let the eccentric character Quoyle and his daughters capture your heart in this hilarious and endearing story about a family in Newfoundland.

The Story of My Life - by Helen Keller

The inspiring autobiography of Helen Keller, one of history's most courageous women.

Teen Angst? Naaah . . . A Quasi-autobiography - by Ned Vizzini

A young man's memories of what growing up is really like.

The Tempest - by William Shakespeare

Tomorrow: When the War Began - by John Marsden

Australian high school students return from a wilderness trip and find that everything at home has changed.

Twelfth Night - by William Shakespeare

Wide Sargasso Sea - by Jean Rhys

If you liked Jane Eyre, you should try this one. It's a "prequel," written long after the original, that gives the amazing story of the mysterious mad woman in the attic.

Wuthering Heights - by Emily Bronte

The romance to end all romances-Heathcliff and Cathy will hold you spellbound!