US History Novels for High School: A Must-Read List
As high school students explore history, they are expected to get more rooted in the details and significance of what has occurred before the present time. One way to help students to have an enjoyable and insightful insight into the world of US history is by reading historical novels. Historical novels are fantastic teaching tools, and it is not surprising they have become an essential part of many high school curriculums. Here are some of the must-read historical novels for any high school student curious about US history.
Lincoln in the Bardo by George Saunders
Abraham Lincoln is one of the most renowned presidents the US has had. This novel’s plot takes place in an imagined world of President Lincoln’s grief after his child’s death on the eve of the Civil War. The book explores themes of life, death, and an individual’s sense of responsibility.
Bud, Not Buddy by Christopher Paul Curtis
The story takes place in the Depression era that follows a 10-year-old, Bud Caldwell, with his suitcase in hand as he sets out to search for a better life. The novel features themes of hope, perseverance, and family as articulated in a deep time of struggle.
The Underground Railroad by Colson Whitehead
This Pulitzer Prize-winning novel is an imagined version of undercover activities by African Americans adopting a secret network to help slaves find their way to freedom. The underground network serves as an escape route for Cora, a slave who runs away from a plantation in Georgia to find a new life in the North. The novel explores themes of race, slavery, and freedom in the context of US history.
The Color Purple by Alice Walker
The Color Purple is a Pulitzer Prize-winning novel that tells the story of an African American girl, Celie, and her journey to become a self-confident woman. The story is told through letters written by Celie to God, her sister, and later, her children. The novel explores themes of identity, gender, and familial relationships through the lens of US history.
The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald
The Great Gatsby is a classic novel that tells the story of a wealthy man, Jay Gatsby, who tries to recapture his lost love, Daisy Buchanan, who is now married to Tom Buchanan. The novel explores themes of love, wealth, and the American Dream through the lens of the Roaring Twenties.
In conclusion, reading historical novels can help students to learn more about US history, culture, and society in an engaging way. The novels above are just a few of the must-reads that can provide high school students with essential insights into US history. With these novels, history comes alive in ways that textbooks cannot capture.
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