We can all remember reading To Kill a Mockingbird or Of Mice and Men in high school, but can we remember any international novels? In today's global world, it is important for high school students to have access to novels from all different countries, and here is a list of the 23 books that all should read.
If your school plans on doing a book drive or applying for a grant through the surplus books program, all of these would be great books to request!
1. Red Scarf Girl by Ji-Li Jiang
On many school reading lists, this compelling autobiography follows the life of a young girl growing up in Communist China and the challenges that faced her family before and after her father was arrested. This is one of the best-crafted nonfiction books available and could be included in autobiographical reference books detailing living in a communist society.
2. The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini
A topic of discussion at many school board meetings because of its images of violence, this important novel tells the story of a friendship between a wealthy boy and the son of his father's servant in Afghanistan during a time of turmoil and destruction.
3. Lobizona by Romina Garber
This story is just one of many that was (wrongly) hauled away in boxfuls of books because it was deemed inappropriate by Texas Republican Matt Krause. Nevertheless, this story by Argentinean author Romina Garber tells the story of a young undocumented girl living in Miami and the challenges she faces, and it has since been adapted into one of the most popular audio books for young adults.
4. Driving by Starlight by Anat Deracine
A story of two teenage girls trying to navigate their way through Saudi society's stringent gender restrictions, this novel should be in all public school libraries.
5. A Long Way Gone: Memoirs of a Boy Soldier by Ishmael Beah
Everyone should read this book to discover the harsh reality some middle school-aged children face as they face a world of excessive violence fighting wars started by adults.
6. The Life of Pi by Yann Martel
You cannot have a comprehensive high school book list without having this story of Pi, a young boy emigrating from India to North America who survives alone in a lifeboat with wild animals.
7. A Hare in the Elephant's Trunk by Jan L Coates
Based on "The Lost Boys" of Sudan, this novel that should be in all English classrooms follows one young boy as he joins other children on a year-long journey to a better life after their country has been ravaged by civil war.
8. Cry, the Beloved Country by Alan Paton
When requests for books are made by high school teachers, this one always tops the list. Touted as the most important novel to ever come out of South Africa, this story is set in the time of apartheid and covers the harsh realities facing both black parents and black children in a country divided.
9. Thura's Diary: My Life in Wartime Iraq by Thura Al-Windawi
This story illustrates that living in war not only takes brave parents but also brave children. Thura's diary is the true retelling of what it was like living as a child in war-torn Iraq.
10. Death with Interruptions by Jose Saramago
Who doesn't like the idea of living forever? When the grim reaper decides to take a vacation, this is exactly what happens. But is it a sort of bizarre violence to leave those on their deathbeds barely hanging on? This alternative book about the dark side of living forever will keep your student turning pages for hours.
11. All Quiet on the Western Front by Erich Maria Remarque
A staple in many English classrooms, this is the story of a young man fighting in World War I. Through his own experiences, Remarque uses beautifully poignant and sometimes graphic language to draw the reader into the realities that face young men fighting these wars.
12. An Uninterrupted View of the Sky by Melanie Crowder
From book publisher Penguin Young Readers Group comes to a story that sheds light on the injustices that faced families in Bolivia in the 1990s, as it follows a young man and his sister who must join their wrongly accused father in a dirty and, oftentimes, dehumanizing prison.
13. The Book Thief by Markus Zusak
Set in Acapulco, this award-winning novel tells the story of a woman who, along with her son, is forced to flee her home and try to find refuge in the United States. But will this bring the life she desires?
14. American Dirt by Jeanine Cummins
Set in Acapulco, this award-winning novel tells the story of a woman who, along with her son, is forced to flee her home and try to find refuge in the United States. But will this bring the life she desires?
15. A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled
Oftentimes the topic of discussion at many a school board meeting because of its use of vulgar language, this important novel tells the story of two women trying to navigate their way through the harsh life of war-torn Kabul and deserves to be in every school library.
16. I Am Malala by Malala Yousafzai
Images of violence are, unfortunately, a way of life for many children living in Pakistan, and this is the case for Malala, a girl who fights against the Taliban for her right to be educated and is subsequently shot in the head. But, miraculously, she survives.
17. Waiting for The Rain by Sheila Gordon
Living in South Africa during apartheid, Tengo and Frikkie's friendship struggles as they deal with issues surrounding racism. In a society that can oftentimes feel divided, both white and black parents should have their children read this important novel.
18. A Land of Permanent Goodbyes by Atia Abawi
When it comes to books for classrooms, this story of a boy and his family traveling as refugees from their home country of Syria is a top pick for teachers because it is an eye-opening look at the tragedies that face families during times of war.
19. Maus by Art Spiegelman
This graphic novel, which some have asked their school superintendent to ban due to offensive language and violence, covers the atrocities people faced during the holocaust and deserves to be in both school and public libraries. This novel is part of mass book donations to students in areas where the book has been unjustly banned.
20. The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde
This only novel by Oscar Wilde, oftentimes included in college preparation school programs, follows the life of Dorian Gray after he paints a portrait of himself and wishes it would age and he would not. Follow him and his decision-making after his wish comes true.
21. Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe
Taught in many high school English classrooms, this novel details Nigerian tribal life before and after being colonized by England. This top book seller has won many awards and has received accolades from many within the black community.
22. Do Not Say We Have Nothing By Madeleine Thien
This award-winning novel tells of generations of unrest in China through the eyes of two young women. From showing how powerful community protest can be in bringing about change to detailing more intricate issues within families, this book should be in all high school English classrooms.
23. The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood
This novel about the disastrous consequences of living in a totalitarian society uses graphic language to describe a life we all want to avoid. All high school libraries should have this book, as it is an important look at a society having too much power over its people.
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