It's Tuesday. Today's topic is what are the top ten books I'd put on the syllabus for such and such class. For me, young adult fantasy is the easiest to come up with outside of Christian fiction. So I get to figure out what books I'd put on a required reading list.
1. The Harry Potter Series by JK Rowling - These are a no brainer. The funny thing is that when I taught 3rd grade, I didn't actually encourage my students to read them. Maybe because I'd not read them myself at that time. But now, I'd put them on the reading list for students between grades 8-9.
2. The Chronicles of Narnia by CS Lewis - These books always come to mind when I think of YA fantasy. They are classics in my opinion. I love them. I've probably loved them from the time I was in 2nd grade.
3. The Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flammel by Michael Scott - These books would make great reads for kids in 7th-9th grade. One of my HP friends introduced them to me and I have thoroughly enjoyed them.
4. Percy Jackson and the Olympians by Rick Riordan - Greek mythology retold. Seriously as much as I love the myths, this series makes them all the easier to understand.
5. The Heroes of Olympus by Rick Riordan - Greek AND Roman mythology. Percy's back and he's still having to save the world.
6. The Hobbit & the Lord of the Rings by JRR Tolkien - An epic fantasy world that for many has defined the fantasy genre. Excellent reads.
7. Elantris by Brandon Sanderson - I loved this book when I discovered it a few years ago. I think it'd make a great addition to the fantasy curriculum.
8. Daughter of the Forest by Juliet Marillier - Yes it is a retelling of a fairy tale. But as the first book in an epic fantasy saga of it's own, I think it'd be great to add it to a curriculum.
9. The Earthsea series by Ursula K. Le Guin - A series of books with wizards and magic set in a world of islands. I remember renting them from the library several years ago and enjoyed them.
10. Ella Enchanted by Gail Carson Levine - A fantasy list isn't complete without me including this wonderful Cinderella retelling. I first read it when in college and it should be on ANY fantasy curriculum.
great list!! Love so many of these books :)
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Love all of the classics on here! These are all definitely must reads.
ReplyDeleteLove Harry Potter and both the Percy Jackson and Heroes of Olympus series. Ella Enchanted is on my TBR, one of the many books I just haven't got around to reading yet.
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The Chronicles of Narnia are CLASSIC! Love those books... and must confess to being glad I still have more to read. :)
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