War

From the Trojan War to World War II to the Iraq War, history has been shaped by humanity's tragic capacity to wage war. In this thematic collection, we have gathered fiction and nonfiction texts that investigate both the lessons and the senselessness crystallized in the aftermath of military conflict.

Publication year 2004Genre Novel, FictionThemes Emotions/Behavior: Conflict, Emotions/Behavior: Guilt, Emotions/Behavior: Hate & Anger, Emotions/Behavior: Loneliness, Emotions/Behavior: Memory, Emotions/Behavior: Nostalgia, Emotions/Behavior: Regret, Emotions/Behavior: Shame & Pride, Identity: Masculinity, Identity: Race, Identity: Sexuality, Life/Time: Midlife, Life/Time: The Past, Relationships: Family, Society: Immigration, Society: War, Values/Ideas: Art, Values/Ideas: Good & Evil, Values/Ideas: Literature, Values/Ideas: Truth & LiesTags Latin American Literature, Mystery / Crime Fiction, Trauma / Abuse / Violence

2666 (2004) is a novel by Chilean author Roberto Bolaño, published one year after Bolaño's death. Centering around a reclusive German author and his role in investigating the ongoing unsolved murders in the fictional city of Santa Teresa, Mexico, 2666 jumps in location, narrative style, location, and characters over its five sections. The novel is widely acclaimed and was adapted into stage plays three times. The New York Times Book Review ranked 2666 as the... Read 2666 Summary


Publication year 1974Genre Short Story Collection, FictionThemes Life/Time: Childhood & Youth, Life/Time: Aging, Relationships: Grandparents, Society: War, Values/Ideas: Religion & SpiritualityTags Education, Education, History: World, Historical Fiction, Canadian Literature, Classic Fiction

Publication year 2005Genre Novel, FictionThemes Emotions/Behavior: Courage, Emotions/Behavior: Determination / Perseverance, Emotions/Behavior: Fear, Emotions/Behavior: Forgiveness, Emotions/Behavior: Hate & Anger, Identity: Mental Health, Identity: Race, Life/Time: Childhood & Youth, Life/Time: Coming of Age, Relationships: Family, Society: Class, Society: Nation, Society: Politics & Government, Society: War, Values/Ideas: Justice & Injustice, Values/Ideas: Safety & Danger, Values/Ideas: Trust & DoubtTags Realistic Fiction, Historical Fiction

A Bottle in the Gaza Sea (2005) is a young adult novel by French author and translator Valérie Zenatti. It was first published in French as Une bouteille dans la mer de Gaza. The novel begins when 17-year-old Israeli Tal Levine learns about a bombing at a neighborhood café. She is moved to send a letter in a bottle, which reaches 20-year-old Palestinian Naïm Al-Farjouk. Tal included her email address, and they begin corresponding. Initially... Read A Bottle in the Gaza Sea Summary


Publication year 1995Genre Poem, NonfictionThemes Values/Ideas: Equality, Values/Ideas: Order & Chaos, Values/Ideas: Beauty, Society: War, Relationships: Teams, Life/Time: The Future, Natural World: Space & The UniverseTags Free verse, Lyric Poem, Spoken Word Poetry, Politics / Government, History: World, Military / War, Grief / Death, American Literature

Publication year 1936Genre Novel, FictionThemes Relationships: Family, Emotions/Behavior: Memory, Identity: Race, Society: Nation, Society: War, Values/Ideas: Justice & InjusticeTags Classic Fiction, Historical Fiction, Southern Gothic, American Civil War, Southern Literature, American Literature, History: World

William Faulkner’s Absalom, Absalom! (1936) is one of the many texts in Faulkner’s oeuvre that is set in the fictional Yoknapatawpha County, Mississippi. Faulkner is considered one of the greatest writers of the 20th century, a designation earned due to his innovative and stylistic modernist techniques, which he uses to investigate the history and identity of the American South. Faulkner, who grew up in Mississippi and spent the majority of his life there, was deeply... Read Absalom, Absalom Summary


Publication year 2023Genre Novel, FictionThemes Emotions/Behavior: Memory, Emotions/Behavior: Guilt, Emotions/Behavior: Conflict, Identity: Femininity, Relationships: Friendship, Society: Colonialism, Society: WarTags Historical Fiction, Vietnam War, Military / War, History: World, Fantasy

Publication year 2017Genre Novel, FictionThemes Values/Ideas: Religion & Spirituality, Relationships: Family, Relationships: Marriage, Society: Nation, Society: Politics & Government, Society: War, Values/Ideas: Power & GreedTags Historical Fiction, Fantasy, Romance, British Literature

Written in 2017 by Ken Follett, A Column of Fire is a historical fiction/historical romance novel and the third book in his Kingsbridge series, following The Pillars of the Earth (1989) and World Without End (2007). This novel is a loose sequel to the previous two books and is set against the backdrop of 16th-century Europe. Spanning both decades and continents, it follows the lives of a cast of characters who are caught in the... Read A Column of Fire Summary


Publication year 2017Genre Novel, FictionThemes Identity: Sexuality, Relationships: Friendship, Society: War, Emotions/Behavior: ForgivenessTags Fantasy, Romance, Action / Adventure, Fairy Tale / Folklore

Publication year 1964Genre Novel, FictionThemes Society: War, Life/Time: Coming of Age, Emotions/Behavior: Determination / PerseveranceTags Historical Fiction, Coming of Age / Bildungsroman, American Civil War, Children's Literature, Education, Education, Military / War, History: World, Classic Fiction

Across Five Aprils (1964) is a young adult (YA) historical novel written by the American children’s book author Irene Hunt. A coming-of-age story, the novel follows young Jethro Creighton through four years of his life from the beginning to the end of the American Civil War. Irene Hunt based the novel largely on the experiences of her own grandfather who, like Jethro, was only nine years old when the Civil War began.The book was Hunt’s... Read Across Five Aprils Summary


Publication year 2023Genre Book, NonfictionThemes Emotions/Behavior: Conflict, Emotions/Behavior: Determination / Perseverance, Emotions/Behavior: Fear, Emotions/Behavior: Grief, Emotions/Behavior: Guilt, Emotions/Behavior: Hate & Anger, Emotions/Behavior: Memory, Emotions/Behavior: Regret, Life/Time: Mortality & Death, Relationships: Daughters & Sons, Relationships: Family, Relationships: Fathers, Relationships: Marriage, Society: Class, Society: War, Values/Ideas: Justice & InjusticeTags Military / War, Journalism, History: World, Religion / Spirituality, Biography, Politics / Government, History: Middle Eastern

Publication year 1955Genre Novel, FictionThemes Emotions/Behavior: Courage, Emotions/Behavior: Determination / Perseverance, Emotions/Behavior: Fear, Emotions/Behavior: Hate & Anger, Emotions/Behavior: Grief, Life/Time: Mortality & Death, Values/Ideas: Fate, Society: Class, Society: Colonialism, Society: Politics & Government, Society: War, Society: Nation, Values/Ideas: Power & Greed, Values/Ideas: Religion & Spirituality, Values/Ideas: Order & Chaos, Natural World: Appearance & Reality, Emotions/Behavior: ConflictTags Allegory / Fable / Parable, Classic Fiction, Historical Fiction, WWI / World War I, Military / War, American Literature, History: World

Publication year 1962Genre Poem, FictionThemes Society: Colonialism, Natural World: Nurture v. Nature, Society: War, Identity: Language, Society: Politics & Government, Emotions/Behavior: ConflictTags Lyric Poem, History: African , Afro-Caribbean Literature

Publication year 2024Genre Novel, FictionThemes Emotions/Behavior: Love, Values/Ideas: Fate, Values/Ideas: Loyalty & Betrayal, Emotions/Behavior: Guilt, Identity: Femininity, Relationships: Family, Relationships: Marriage, Self Discovery, Society: War, Values/Ideas: Power & GreedTags Fantasy, Romance, Mythology, Science-Fiction / Dystopian Fiction, Gender / Feminism

Publication year 1989Genre Play, FictionThemes Society: War, Emotions/Behavior: Shame & Pride, Values/Ideas: Truth & LiesTags Military / War, Play: Drama, Crime / Legal, Social Justice, Politics / Government, Mystery / Crime Fiction, Arts / Culture, Drama / Tragedy, Historical Fiction, Classic Fiction

A Few Good Men is a play written by Aaron Sorkin and first performed in 1989. The story involves a military lawyer who defends two Marines accused of murder. The play was well-received, and Sorkin adapted it into a screenplay for the film of the same name (released in 1992), which was a popular and critical success.Plot SummaryA Few Good Men opens as two Marines, Downey and Dawson, recall the details of a nighttime incident... Read A Few Good Men Summary


Publication year 2011Genre Novel, FictionThemes Life/Time: Coming of Age, Values/Ideas: Safety & Danger, Society: War, Values/Ideas: Justice & InjusticeTags Historical Fiction, Military / War, Trauma / Abuse / Violence, Holocaust, WWII / World War II, Children's Literature, History: World, Action / Adventure

Publication year 2020Genre Novel, FictionThemes Society: Colonialism, Relationships: Marriage, Society: War, Identity: Femininity, Identity: RaceTags Historical Fiction, Military / War, Colonialism / Postcolonialism, Race / Racism, Trauma / Abuse / Violence, History: World

Publication year 2020Genre Novel, FictionThemes Society: War, Society: Politics & Government, Emotions/Behavior: Determination / Perseverance, Identity: Femininity, Society: Immigration, Society: Nation, Values/Ideas: Safety & DangerTags Historical Fiction, Military / War, Gender / Feminism, Modern Classic Fiction, History: World

Publication year 1996Genre Novel, FictionThemes Society: Politics & Government, Values/Ideas: Loyalty & Betrayal, Emotions/Behavior: Love, Emotions/Behavior: Hate & Anger, Emotions/Behavior: Revenge, Emotions/Behavior: Shame & Pride, Identity: Masculinity, Identity: Femininity, Emotions/Behavior: Grief, Values/Ideas: Win & Lose, Values/Ideas: Power & Greed, Values/Ideas: Safety & Danger, Values/Ideas: Justice & Injustice, Society: Class, Society: War, Society: Economics, Relationships: Siblings, Relationships: Mothers, Relationships: Fathers, Relationships: Marriage, Relationships: Family, Relationships: Daughters & Sons, Natural World: Appearance & Reality, Relationships: Friendship, Identity: Disability, Identity: Gender, Life/Time: Birth, Life/Time: Childhood & Youth, Life/Time: Mortality & Death, Life/Time: Coming of Age, Life/Time: The Future, Life/Time: The Past, Values/Ideas: Truth & Lies, Values/Ideas: Trust & DoubtTags Fantasy, Action / Adventure, Class, Politics / Government, Religion / Spirituality, Trauma / Abuse / Violence, Grief / Death

A Game of Thrones is a 1996 epic fantasy novel by George R. R. Martin and is the first in his long-running A Song of Ice and Fire series. The novel introduces the audience to the fictional world of Westeros, where characters become embroiled in a complicated web of plots, conspiracies, and betrayals as they pursue power. A Game of Thrones won numerous awards on publication and was adapted for television in 2011. This guide... Read A Game of Thrones Summary


Publication year 2024Genre Book, NonfictionThemes Society: Community, Society: Globalization, Society: Nation, Society: Politics & Government, Society: WarTags Business / Economics, Psychology, Psychology, Politics / Government, History: World

Publication year 2019Genre Novel, FictionThemes Emotions/Behavior: Determination / Perseverance, Emotions/Behavior: Love, Identity: Femininity, Identity: Gender, Life/Time: Mortality & Death, Society: Colonialism, Society: War, Values/Ideas: Justice & Injustice, Emotions/Behavior: CourageTags History: U.S., Military / War, History: World, Historical Fiction, Romance, American Revolution

Publication year 1936Genre Book, NonfictionThemes Values/Ideas: Equality, Society: War, Society: Politics & GovernmentTags History: World, Children's Literature, Education, Education, Classic Fiction

First published in German in 1935, A Little History of the World tells the story of human history to children. Historian E.H. Gombrich was first inspired to write this book at age 26, when he attempted to describe the complicated nature of his studies to a child and found the challenge interesting. Though Gombrich is most famous for his expertise in the field of art history, this early work has impacted generations of children and... Read A Little History of the World Summary


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Publication year 2019Genre Novel, FictionThemes Society: War, Identity: Race, Values/Ideas: EqualityTags Historical Fiction, Military / War, History: World, WWII / World War II, Children's Literature, Action / Adventure

Allies is a novel by American author Alan Gratz that was originally published in 2019. It belongs to the genre of young adult historical fiction and is set during World War II. Gratz is the author of 17 novels for children/young adults as of 2021 and has won awards from Random House Books and the Society of Children’s Books Writers and Illustrators. His novel Refugee won the National Jewish Book Award and the Young Hoosier... Read Allies Summary


Publication year 1947Genre Play, FictionThemes Emotions/Behavior: Grief, Emotions/Behavior: Guilt, Relationships: Family, Society: War, Values/Ideas: Truth & LiesTags Play: Tragedy, Classic Fiction, American Literature, Military / War, Education, Education, History: World, Drama / Tragedy

All My Sons is a play by Arthur Miller, first performed in 1947. Based on a true story, All My Sons tells the story of a munitions factory owner who is accused of producing defective engines for aircraft. The play received many awards, ran for 328 shows on Broadway, and has been twice adapted as a film. This guide is based on the 2015 Penguin Classics edition of Miller’s Collected Plays. Plot SummaryJoe Keller is... Read All My Sons Summary


Publication year 1929Genre Novel, FictionThemes Society: War, Values/Ideas: Safety & Danger, Values/Ideas: Justice & Injustice, Relationships: Friendship, Life/Time: Mortality & DeathTags Military / War, Historical Fiction, WWI / World War I, Education, Education, History: World, Classic Fiction

All Quiet on the Western Front is a 1929 novel by Erich Maria Remarque which details the experiences of German soldiers at the frontlines of World War I. At the heart of the novel are graphic portrayals of trench warfare and the psychological trauma inflicted on the soldiers as a result. The novel presents a realistic portrait of a horrific war and provides unflattering accounts of the elite classes responsible for such mass destruction. The... Read All Quiet on the Western Front Summary


Publication year 2009Genre Novel, FictionThemes Emotions/Behavior: Courage, Emotions/Behavior: Determination / Perseverance, Emotions/Behavior: Fear, Emotions/Behavior: Forgiveness, Emotions/Behavior: Guilt, Emotions/Behavior: Hope, Emotions/Behavior: Memory, Life/Time: Coming of Age, Life/Time: The Future, Life/Time: The Past, Relationships: Family, Self Discovery, Society: Community, Society: Nation, Society: War, Values/Ideas: Art, Values/Ideas: Fate, Values/Ideas: Good & Evil, Values/Ideas: Justice & Injustice, Values/Ideas: Safety & Danger, Values/Ideas: Truth & LiesTags Military / War, WWII / World War II, Modern Classic Fiction, History: World, Historical Fiction, Romance

Publication year 2007Genre Autobiography / Memoir, NonfictionThemes Society: WarTags History: African

A Long Way Gone: Memoirs of a Boy Solider is a memoir published in 2007 by the Sierra Leonean author and activist Ishmael Beah. The book recounts the author’s experiences as a 12-year-old boy in war-torn Sierra Leone. Forced to serve as a child soldier for three years in the 1990s during the Sierra Leone Civil War, Beah wrote the book to highlight the horrific impact of war on children. Nominated for a 2007 Quill... Read A Long Way Gone Summary


Publication year 2019Genre Novel, FictionThemes Natural World: Space & The Universe, Emotions/Behavior: Memory, Values/Ideas: Science & Technology, Society: Community, Values/Ideas: Safety & Danger, Values/Ideas: Power & Greed, Society: WarTags Science-Fiction / Dystopian Fiction, Fantasy, LGBTQ, Mystery / Crime Fiction

Publication year 1971Genre Reference/Text Book, NonfictionThemes Society: War, Society: Colonialism, Society: Class, Society: Economics, Society: Community, Society: Education, Society: Immigration, Society: Globalization, Society: Nation, Society: Politics & GovernmentTags Education, Education, History: World, History: U.S.

Publication year 2005Genre Biography, NonfictionThemes Society: War, Society: Politics & Government, Society: Nation, Values/Ideas: Safety & Danger, Values/Ideas: Science & Technology, Values/Ideas: Justice & Injustice, Values/Ideas: Good & Evil, Identity: Mental HealthTags Biography, History: U.S., History: World, Science / Nature, Politics / Government, Military / War, WWII / World War II

Publication year 2016Genre Book, NonfictionThemes Society: Colonialism, Society: Nation, Society: Politics & Government, Society: WarTags History: U.S., Politics / Government, American Revolution, Military / War, American Literature, History: World

Publication year 2012Genre Autobiography / Memoir, NonfictionThemes Society: War, Values/Ideas: Good & Evil, Relationships: Family, Relationships: SiblingsTags History: U.S., War On Terrorism / Iraq War, Military / War, History: World, Biography

American Sniper is the autobiography of Chris Kyle, the single deadliest sniper in the history of the United States military. The narrative, co-written by Chris Kyle, Jim deFelice, Scott McEwen, and Chris’s wife Taya, opens with events that took place in 2003 in Iraq. At the time, Chris was providing protective fire for a group of Marines; a female insurgent attempted to attack the Marines with a grenade, but Chris shot her, registering his first... Read American Sniper Summary


Publication year 1980Genre Novel, FictionThemes Values/Ideas: Art, Society: War, Relationships: MarriageTags Historical Fiction, British Literature, WWI / World War I, Arts / Culture, History: World, Classic Fiction

A Month in the Country is a fiction novel published in 1980 by the British author J.L. Carr, a retired schoolteacher and publisher. The novel tells the deceptively spare tale of Thomas Birkin, a veteran of World War One who, having just returned from overseas, accepts summer employment to restore a mural. Dating back nearly five centuries, the mural adorns the wall of an old country church in northern England. During the weeks he painstakingly... Read A Month in the Country Summary


Publication year 2009Genre Short Story, FictionThemes Society: WarTags Military / War, Education, Education, Classic Fiction

In Stephen Crane’s short story, “A Mystery of Heroism,” (originally syndicated in newspapers in 1895 and then published a year later in The Little Regiment, and Other Episodes of the American Civil War), a brutal battle is waged between two armies. There is no mention of why this battle is being fought, although it can be inferred from the title of Crane’s book that the battle is during the American Civil War. References to the... Read A Mystery Of Heroism Summary


Publication year 2002Genre Book, NonfictionThemes Society: WarTags WWII / World War II, History: U.S., Military / War, History: African , History: World

An Army at Dawn is a nonfiction military history book published in 2002 by American author and journalist Rick Atkinson. Subtitled The War in North Africa, 1942-1943, the book chronicles the successful Allied invasion of North Africa during World War II. The first installment of Atkinson's Liberation Trilogy, An Army at Dawn received the 2003 Pulitzer Prize for History.This study guide refers to the 2002 edition published by Henry Holt and Company.Plot SummaryOn September 1... Read An Army at Dawn Summary


Publication year 2022Genre Biography, NonfictionThemes Society: WarTags History: U.S., Politics / Government, Military / War, American Civil War, History: World, Biography

Publication year 2009Genre Novel, FictionThemes Relationships: Family, Life/Time: Coming of Age, Society: War, Relationships: MothersTags Historical Fiction, Animals, WWII / World War II, Children's Literature, Military / War, History: World, Action / Adventure

Publication year 2015Genre Novel, FictionThemes Emotions/Behavior: Fear, Relationships: Friendship, Values/Ideas: Power & Greed, Values/Ideas: Loyalty & Betrayal, Values/Ideas: Good & Evil, Society: WarTags Fantasy, Romance, Science-Fiction / Dystopian Fiction

An Ember in the Ashes by Sabaa Tahir (Razorbill, 2015) is the first in the An Ember in the Ashes series, followed by A Torch Against the Night. This young adult fantasy romance novel follows an elite warrior and a peasant girl as they find what it means to be free in a brutal world. An Ember in the Ashes debuted at number two on the young adult New York Times bestsellers list and was... Read An Ember in the Ashes Summary


Publication year 2009Genre Short Story, FictionThemes Society: WarTags Military / War

The story opens with the protagonist, known as "the lieutenant," surrounded by "Corporals and other representatives of the grimy and hot-throated men" (paragraph 1, sentence 2), on the front lines of a battlefield during the American Civil War. He is divvying up coffee rations into piles "astoundingly equal in size" when suddenly he is shot in the arm (paragraph 2, sentence 2). At first, no one seems to understand what has happened. He and the... Read An Episode of War Summary


Publication year 1668Genre Essay / Speech, NonfictionThemes Values/Ideas: Literature, Natural World: Appearance & Reality, Society: War, Society: Nation, Values/Ideas: Order & ChaosTags Literary Criticism, Education, Education

Publication year 2000Genre Novel, FictionThemes Society: War, Society: Politics & Government, Identity: Indigenous, Life/Time: The Past, Society: ColonialismTags Mystery / Crime Fiction, Historical Fiction, Horror / Thriller / Suspense Fiction

In Anil’s Ghost, Michael Ondaatje explores the trauma of the Sri Lankan civil war of the 1980s and 1990s. Anil Tissera, a forensic pathologist who works with human rights organizations, returns to her home country of Sri Lanka after an absence of 15 years. As part of an investigation into government-sponsored violence against citizens Anil and her team discover, at a sixth-century burial site, what appears to be a recently murdered body, which they name... Read Anil's Ghost Summary


Publication year 2014Genre Book, NonfictionThemes Emotions/Behavior: Conflict, Emotions/Behavior: Determination / Perseverance, Society: Nation, Society: Politics & Government, Values/Ideas: Power & Greed, Society: War, Values/Ideas: Equality, Society: Education, Identity: Race, Life/Time: The Past, Life/Time: The Future, Society: Community, Natural World: Place, Society: ColonialismTags History: U.S., Race / Racism, Social Justice, Politics / Government, Education, Military / War, Anthropology, Colonial America, Class, Colonialism / Postcolonialism, History: World

Publication year 1890Genre Short Story, FictionThemes Life/Time: Mortality & Death, Society: War, Natural World: Appearance & Reality, Values/Ideas: FameTags Classic Fiction, Historical Fiction, American Civil War, Education, Education, Horror / Thriller / Suspense Fiction, Military / War, American Literature, History: World

Ambrose Bierce, an American writer and Civil War veteran, wrote “An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge” in 1890. Bierce’s story was first published in The San Francisco Examiner and later became part of his collection Tales of Soldiers and Civilians published in 1891. “An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge” is considered one of Bierce’s best works for its use of the stream-of-consciousness narrative technique and the hero’s journey as well as its exploration of death... Read An Occurrence At Owl Creek Bridge Summary


Publication year 1948Genre Short Story, FictionThemes Identity: Mental Health, Relationships: Marriage, Emotions/Behavior: Loneliness, Life/Time: Childhood & Youth, Society: WarTags Classic Fiction, American Literature, Depression / Suicide, WWII / World War II, Education, Education, History: U.S., History: World, Historical Fiction

“A Perfect Day for Bananafish” is a short story by iconic American author J. D. Salinger. First published in The New Yorker in 1948 and later published in the collection Nine Stories (1953), it is considered one of Salinger’s breakthrough works, establishing the unique voice, flair for character, energetic dialogue, and inventive style that would become his trademarks. The story centers on a young New York City couple, Seymour and Muriel Glass, and the bizarre... Read A Perfect Day for Bananafish Summary


Publication year 1859Genre Essay / Speech, NonfictionThemes Emotions/Behavior: Courage, Emotions/Behavior: Determination / Perseverance, Identity: Race, Society: Politics & Government, Society: War, Values/Ideas: Justice & Injustice, Values/Ideas: Religion & SpiritualityTags Philosophy, Politics / Government, History: U.S.

Publication year 2009Genre Short Story, FictionThemes Emotions/Behavior: Conflict, Values/Ideas: Religion & Spirituality, Society: Colonialism, Relationships: Mothers, Emotions/Behavior: Hate & Anger, Identity: Femininity, Identity: Race, Society: WarTags Trauma / Abuse / Violence, Historical Fiction, African American Literature

Publication year 2018Genre Novel, FictionThemes Emotions/Behavior: Revenge, Society: War, Values/Ideas: Good & EvilTags Fantasy, Romance, Science-Fiction / Dystopian Fiction, Action / Adventure

Publication year 1977Genre Autobiography / Memoir, NonfictionThemes Society: WarTags Military / War, Vietnam War, History: U.S., History: World, Biography

Philip Caputo’s 1977 memoir, A Rumor of War, depicts Caputo’s true experiences serving as a Marine during the Vietnam War. Lieutenant Caputo arrived in Vietnam in March 1965, with the first fighting troops assigned to combat there, and soon learned that his romantic notions of war bore no resemblance to the bloody brutality he and his men confront in fighting the Viet Cong and the North Vietnamese Army. As well as acknowledging the dehumanizing brutality... Read A Rumor of War Summary


Publication year 1855Genre Poem, FictionThemes Society: Politics & Government, Society: War, Values/Ideas: Science & Technology, Society: Community, Society: Nation, Emotions/Behavior: Memory, Emotions/Behavior: Determination / Perseverance, Emotions/Behavior: Hope, Values/Ideas: Trust & DoubtTags Lyric Poem, Technology

Publication year 2022Genre Novel, FictionThemes Society: War, Values/Ideas: Safety & Danger, Relationships: Family, Life/Time: Mortality & Death, Identity: Mental Health, Emotions/Behavior: Shame & Pride, Emotions/Behavior: Love, Emotions/Behavior: Hope, Emotions/Behavior: Memory, Emotions/Behavior: Courage, Emotions/Behavior: Determination / PerseveranceTags Historical Fiction, Romance, Fantasy, Magical Realism, Military / War, Modern Classic Fiction, History: World

Publication year 2023Genre Novel, FictionThemes Emotions/Behavior: Love, Society: War, Values/Ideas: Truth & LiesTags Fantasy, Romance, New Adult, Science-Fiction / Dystopian Fiction, Religion / Spirituality

Publication year 2023Genre Novel, FictionThemes Emotions/Behavior: Courage, Identity: Femininity, Identity: Gender, Life/Time: The Past, Natural World: Environment, Society: War, Values/Ideas: LiteratureTags Fantasy, Romance, Gothic Literature, Mystery / Crime Fiction, Horror / Thriller / Suspense Fiction, Fairy Tale / Folklore

Publication year 2019Genre Novel, FictionThemes Society: War, Identity: Femininity, Values/Ideas: LiteratureTags Historical Fiction, Fantasy, Mythology, Gender / Feminism, History: World

Publication year 2018Genre Novel, FictionThemes Society: Colonialism, Society: War, Life/Time: Mortality & Death, Values/Ideas: Good & EvilTags Historical Fiction, Military / War, WWI / World War I, French Literature, Horror / Thriller / Suspense Fiction, History: World

Publication year 1924Genre Short Story, FictionThemes Emotions/Behavior: Love, Society: War, Self DiscoveryTags Classic Fiction, Romance, WWI / World War I, The Lost Generation, Education, Education, American Literature, Drama / Tragedy

“A Very Short Story” is one of Ernest Hemingway’s earliest literary works. It originally appeared as one of 18 vignettes that made up the chapbook in our time, published in 1924. The story was later republished, along with the original vignettes and 14 additional short stories, in a new and expanded edition of In Our Time in 1925. This guide refers to that later edition. “A Very Short Story” is semi-autobiographical, based loosely upon Hemingway’s... Read A Very Short Story Summary


Publication year 2019Genre Biography, NonfictionThemes Values/Ideas: Justice & Injustice, Society: War, Identity: GenderTags History: World, History: U.S., WWII / World War II, Holocaust, Women's Studies (Nonfiction), Horror / Thriller / Suspense Fiction, Military / War, Biography

A Woman of No Importance: The Untold Story of Virginia Hall, WWII’s Most Dangerous Spy is a 2019 biography by Sonia Purnell. It tells the story of Virginia Hall, a US spy whose efforts were critical to France’s success in World War II. Despite its larger-than-life nature and importance to the Allies’ success, Hall’s story has remained largely unknown until now. In recounting Virginia Hall’s life, Purnell examines themes like the importance of Serving a... Read A Woman of No Importance Summary


Publication year 2007Genre Book, NonfictionThemes Society: Colonialism, Society: Class, Society: Nation, Values/Ideas: Power & Greed, Values/Ideas: Truth & Lies, Society: Community, Society: Globalization, Society: War, Identity: Race, Society: Politics & Government, Society: Economics, Society: ImmigrationTags History: U.S., Social Justice, Politics / Government, Children's Literature, Education, Education, History: World

Publication year 1958Genre Short Story, FictionThemes Natural World: Food, Society: War, Values/Ideas: Religion & Spirituality, Values/Ideas: ArtTags Historical Fiction, Relationships, Scandinavian Literature, Food, History: World, Classic Fiction

“Babette’s Feast” (1958) is one of the best-known short stories by Danish author Karen Blixen. It was included in her 1958 anthology of short stories, Anecdotes of Destiny, which was published under her pseudonym, Isak Dinesen. Blixen is best known for her literary explorations of spiritual themes and the contradictions of human nature. Both “Babette’s Feast” and Blixen’s memoir Out of Africa (1937) were adapted into Academy Award–winning films.“Babette’s Feast” focuses on themes of physical... Read Babette's Feast Summary


Publication year 2005Genre Poem, FictionThemes Society: WarTags Grief / Death

Publication year 1992Genre Book, NonfictionThemes Society: WarTags Military / War, WWII / World War II, History: U.S., History: World, Biography

Band of Brothers is a nonfiction history of one World War II company of paratroopers, Easy Company of the 506th Regiment, 101st Airborne. Through a combination of narrative, interviews, maps, and excerpts from letters, Stephen E. Ambrose follows the lives of this group of soldiers from their training in 1942, their deployments in Europe, and their lives after the war. By focusing on the lives of members of one particular company, Ambrose reveals the reality... Read Band of Brothers Summary


Publication year 2021Genre Novel, FictionThemes Relationships: Family, Emotions/Behavior: Courage, Emotions/Behavior: Determination / Perseverance, Society: WarTags Historical Fiction, Realistic Fiction, Military / War, Latin American Literature, Children's Literature, History: World

Publication year 1995Genre Novel, FictionThemes Emotions/Behavior: Forgiveness, Emotions/Behavior: Grief, Emotions/Behavior: Love, Emotions/Behavior: Memory, Identity: Mental Health, Identity: Race, Life/Time: Midlife, Life/Time: The Past, Natural World: Animals, Relationships: Family, Relationships: Grandparents, Relationships: Mothers, Society: Immigration, Society: War, Values/Ideas: Loyalty & Betrayal, Values/Ideas: MusicTags Historical Fiction, Southern Literature, Depression / Suicide, Grief / Death, Modern Classic Fiction, Drama / Tragedy

Pat Conroy’s 1995 novel Beach Music is a work of historical fiction. Set primarily in South Carolina, the novel follows a community fractured by memories of the Holocaust and the social upheaval of the 1960s and 1970s. Beach Music explores the nature of generational trauma and the way our pasts shape our futures. The power of forgiveness and the differences between duty and loyalty are also prominent themes. The setting and culture of the American... Read Beach Music Summary


Publication year 1941Genre Novel, FictionThemes Emotions/Behavior: Love, Identity: Gender, Society: War, Values/Ideas: Order & Chaos, Self DiscoveryTags British Literature, History: World, Classic Fiction

Between the Acts (1941) is Virginia Woolf’s final novel. It was published posthumously, four months after the writer’s death. It is a modernist novel that takes place on one June day in 1939, on the eve of World War II. Set in the English countryside, the novel focuses on the residents of a village who are preparing for their annual pageant at a time of looming international tension and domestic unease. Since much of the... Read Between The Acts Summary


Publication year 2012Genre Novel, FictionThemes Values/Ideas: Power & Greed, Society: War, Values/Ideas: Good & Evil, Values/Ideas: Religion & Spirituality, Values/Ideas: Loyalty & Betrayal, Emotions/Behavior: Forgiveness, Values/Ideas: FateTags Historical Fiction, Fantasy, Medieval Literature / Middle Ages, Horror / Thriller / Suspense Fiction, History: World, Religion / Spirituality

Publication year 1946Genre Short Story, FictionThemes Society: War, Emotions/Behavior: Fear, Values/Ideas: Truth & Lies, Values/Ideas: Loyalty & BetrayalTags Classic Fiction, Military / War, Historical Fiction, WWII / World War II, Action / Adventure, Children's Literature, Education, Education, Fantasy

Publication year 1972Genre Poem, FictionThemes Society: War, Society: ColonialismTags Heinemann African Writers, African Literature

Publication year 1925Genre Short Story, FictionThemes Natural World: Nurture v. Nature, Society: War, Natural World: PlaceTags Action / Adventure, Military / War, Education, Education, American Literature, Classic Fiction

Publication year 1924Genre Novella, FictionThemes Relationships: Teams, Society: Community, Society: War, Values/Ideas: Good & Evil, Values/Ideas: Justice & InjusticeTags American Literature, Classic Fiction, Historical Fiction, Action / Adventure, Education, Education, History: World

Billy Budd, Sailor is a 1924 novella by Herman Melville. The narrative is equal parts philosophical examination and Christian allegory. The story concerns the brief time and tragic death of the eponymous Billy on the British warship Bellipotent. In the story, Billy, happy and naïve, is framed for mutiny and hanged for treason despite his innocence. Melville uses Billy’s story to examine The Struggle Between Morality and Lawfulness, The Vulnerability of Innocence and Naivety, and... Read Billy Budd, Sailor Summary


Publication year 1999Genre Book, NonfictionThemes Society: War, Values/Ideas: Loyalty & BetrayalTags History: World, History: U.S., Military / War, Politics / Government

Black Hawk Down: A Story of Modern War is a 1999 book by journalist Mark Bowden. It is a non-fiction account of the Battle of Mogadishu in Somalia, which resulted from US forces’ attempt to capture the two lieutenants of Mohamed Farrah Aidid, a warlord who oppressed the Somali people and stole their humanitarian aid. Bowden originally published a 29-part investigation of the failed mission in The Philadelphia Inquirer, later expanding it into Black Hawk... Read Black Hawk Down Summary


Publication year 2018Genre Novel, FictionThemes Emotions/Behavior: Conflict, Emotions/Behavior: Courage, Emotions/Behavior: Determination / Perseverance, Emotions/Behavior: Grief, Emotions/Behavior: Hope, Emotions/Behavior: Memory, Emotions/Behavior: Revenge, Identity: Masculinity, Identity: Race, Natural World: Animals, Natural World: Climate, Natural World: Environment, Relationships: Daughters & Sons, Relationships: Fathers, Society: Colonialism, Society: WarTags Fantasy, Action / Adventure, Afrofuturism, Science-Fiction / Dystopian Fiction, Children's Literature

Publication year 1965Genre Novel, FictionThemes Society: War, Values/Ideas: Science & TechnologyTags Historical Fiction, Military / War, WWII / World War II, Japanese Literature, History: Asian, History: U.S., Trauma / Abuse / Violence, Asian Literature, History: World, Classic Fiction

Black Rain is a 1965 historical novel by Japanese author Masuji Ibuse. The novel blends authentic accounts and information with a fictional plot to describe the aftermath of the destruction of the Japanese city of Hiroshima by an American atomic bomb in 1945. Black Rain was adapted into a film in 1989. This guide uses an eBook version of the 1979 edition of Black Rain, translated into English by John Bester.Plot SummaryShigematsu Shizuma is a... Read Black Rain Summary


Publication year 2010Genre Biography, NonfictionThemes Emotions/Behavior: Courage, Society: Politics & Government, Society: War, Values/Ideas: Good & Evil, Values/Ideas: Religion & SpiritualityTags WWII / World War II, History: World, Biography, Religion / Spirituality

Publication year 1976Genre Autobiography / Memoir, NonfictionThemes Society: WarTags Military / War, Vietnam War, History: U.S., History: World, Biography

Born on the Fourth of July is a 1976 memoir written by wounded Vietnam veteran and antiwar activist Ron Kovic. The memoir was adapted into a 1989 film directed by Oliver Stone; Kovic and Stone co-wrote the screenplay, which earned an Oscar nomination. In the memoir, Kovic describes his experiences in and surrounding his tours of duty in Vietnam, including why he enlisted in the United States Marine Corps, how he was injured, and how... Read Born on the Fourth of July Summary


Publication year 1880Genre Short Story, FictionThemes Society: Class, Society: Nation, Society: WarTags French Literature, Military / War, Historical Fiction

“Boule de Suif,” which translates to “ball of fat” in English, is a short story by 19th-century French Naturalist writer Guy de Maupassant. Published in 1880, it was his first published story and is considered one of his greatest works. The story explores the power dynamics of class and gender while also painting a picture of the dismal final days of the Franco-Prussian War of 1870-1871 in Prussian-occupied France. All told, Maupassant wrote some 300... Read Boule De Suif Summary


Publication year 1998Genre Novel, FictionThemes Identity: Gender, Values/Ideas: Religion & Spirituality, Society: WarTags Realistic Fiction, Historical Fiction, Humor, Coming of Age / Bildungsroman, LGBTQ, Military / War, Trauma / Abuse / Violence, Irish Literature, Modern Classic Fiction

Breakfast on Pluto is a novel by the distinguished Irish writer Patrick McCabe, who is known for his experimental style and controversial themes. First published in 1998, the book contains elements of fantasy and historical fiction. It presents the narrative of “the life and times” of Patrick Braden, a transgender person growing up in Ireland and London during the 1960s and 1970s. Through Braden’s journey of self-discovery, McCabe portrays a country amid turbulent political, national... Read Breakfast on Pluto Summary


Publication year 1993Genre Novel, FictionThemes Identity: Race, Society: War, Relationships: SiblingsTags Historical Fiction, Military / War, American Civil War, Children's Literature, History: U.S., History: World

Bull Run is a middle-grade historical fiction novel published in 1993. Written by Paul Fleischman, winner of the Newbery Medal and nominee for the Hans Christian Andersen Award Book, the novel uses 16 alternating Union and Confederate narrators to describe the Battle of Bull Run in the Civil War. Bull Run won the Scott O'Dell Award for Historical Fiction, was named a Best Book by the School Library Journal, and received several other awards. The... Read Bull Run Summary


Publication year 2018Genre Novel, FictionThemes Emotions/Behavior: Gratitude, Identity: Gender, Society: War, Values/Ideas: Religion & SpiritualityTags Historical Fiction, Realistic Fiction, Trauma / Abuse / Violence, African American Literature, Military / War, Modern Classic Fiction, History: World

Publication year 1970Genre Book, NonfictionThemes Values/Ideas: Win & Lose, Values/Ideas: Power & Greed, Values/Ideas: Loyalty & Betrayal, Values/Ideas: Justice & Injustice, Society: Politics & Government, Society: Nation, Society: War, Identity: Indigenous, Natural World: Place, Natural World: EnvironmentTags History: U.S., Military / War, Race / Racism, Politics / Government, History: World, Classic Fiction

Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee: An Indian History of the American West, a nonfiction history by librarian and historian Dee Brown, was published in 1970 and became a widely influential bestseller. Dee Brown (full name Dorris Alexander Brown) was the author of more than 30 fiction and nonfiction books. As a librarian at the University of Illinois, he had access to the primary historical records from the late 19th century that became the main... Read Bury My Heart At Wounded Knee Summary


Publication year 1937Genre Short Story, FictionThemes Life/Time: Mortality & Death, Values/Ideas: Science & Technology, Society: WarTags Science-Fiction / Dystopian Fiction, Technology, Education, Education, American Literature, History: World, Classic Fiction

Stephen Vincent Benét lived from 1898 to 1943. Much of his writing examines subjects from American history, including his highly acclaimed narrative poem John Brown’s Body. Benét won four Pulitzer Prizes, including one for “By the Waters of Babylon.” First published in 1937 in The Saturday Evening Post as “The Place of the Gods,” the postapocalyptic story follows a young man’s journey for truth and explores the themes of The Destruction of War, Coming of... Read By the Waters of Babylon Summary


Publication year 1898Genre Play, FictionThemes Emotions/Behavior: Revenge, Society: War, Life/Time: Aging, Life/Time: Childhood & Youth, Society: Colonialism, Emotions/Behavior: ConflictTags Historical Fiction, Romance, Politics / Government, Play: Drama, History: World, Drama / Tragedy, Irish Literature, Classic Fiction

Publication year 1957Genre Novel, FictionThemes Emotions/Behavior: Determination / Perseverance, Emotions/Behavior: Love, Society: WarTags Children's Literature, History: World, Historical Fiction, Romance, Action / Adventure, Classic Fiction

Publication year 2019Genre Autobiography / Memoir, NonfictionThemes Society: Politics & Government, Society: War, Values/Ideas: Power & GreedTags Inspirational, Military / War, Business / Economics, History: World, Biography, Politics / Government

Publication year 1977Genre Novel, FictionThemes Identity: Indigenous, Emotions/Behavior: Grief, Society: WarTags Western, American Literature, Education, Education, Classic Fiction, Historical Fiction

Ceremony by Leslie Marmon Silko is a 1977 historical novel that won the American Book Award in 1980; it was Silko’s first novel and is now regarded as a classic piece of literature. Ceremony follows Tayo, a young Laguna Pueblo veteran who is now struggling to cope with Alienation and Isolation in Post-WWII America. Traditional Laguna Pueblo legends parallel Tayo’s journey and explore themes of The Power of Stories and Adapting Tradition to the Present.Ceremony... Read Ceremony Summary


Publication year 1914Genre Poem, FictionThemes Society: War, Values/Ideas: Religion & Spirituality, Emotions/Behavior: ConflictTags Lyric Poem, Satire, Military / War, Victorian Period, Christian literature

English poet and novelist Thomas Hardy wrote “Channel Firing” in May of 1914, only three months before the beginning of WWI. Eerily prophetic, the poem depicts the global chaos and destruction that soon followed. Overlaid by tones of satire and irony, the poem details the violence of war and humanity’s age-old proclivity toward it through a conversation between God and the dead. Hardy, although best known for his earlier novels, received positive reception concerning war... Read Channel Firing Summary


Publication year 2019Genre Novel, FictionThemes Values/Ideas: Power & Greed, Emotions/Behavior: Love, Emotions/Behavior: Forgiveness, Emotions/Behavior: Grief, Life/Time: The Past, Relationships: Fathers, Relationships: Mothers, Society: War, Values/Ideas: Good & Evil, Values/Ideas: Truth & LiesTags Fantasy, Romance, Mythology, Trauma / Abuse / Violence

Publication year 1542Genre Book, NonfictionThemes Society: Colonialism, Society: War, Society: Nation, Identity: Race, Values/Ideas: Religion & Spirituality, Values/Ideas: Safety & Danger, Values/Ideas: Truth & Lies, Values/Ideas: Power & GreedTags History: World, Latin American Literature, Christian literature, Creative Nonfiction, Colonialism / Postcolonialism, Trauma / Abuse / Violence, Race / Racism, Renaissance

The Chronicle of the Narváez Expedition by Alvar Núñez Cabeza de Vaca was originally written in 1542, with a reprint in 1555. The chronicle follows Cabeza de Vaca’s memories of his survival after the expedition (led by Pánfilo de Narváez) failed and broke apart, and his subsequent peregrinations through the southwestern United States and northern Mexico. His chronicle stands as an important primary document of the age of the conquistadores. Of particular importance are Cabeza... Read Chronicle of the Narvaez Expedition Summary


Publication year 1400Genre Book, NonfictionThemes Society: War, Values/Ideas: Religion & Spirituality, Values/Ideas: Power & Greed, Society: ClassTags History: European, Medieval Literature / Middle Ages, Military / War, Class, Religion / Spirituality, History: World, French Literature, Classic Fiction

Publication year 2011Genre Book, NonfictionThemes Society: Economics, Society: Colonialism, Society: Globalization, Society: Nation, Society: Immigration, Society: Politics & Government, Society: WarTags History: World, Politics / Government, Sociology, Philosophy, Business / Economics, Philosophy

Publication year 1971Genre Short Story, FictionThemes Society: War, Society: Colonialism, Emotions/Behavior: Determination / PerseveranceTags Historical Fiction, Military / War, African Literature, Education, Education, Classic Fiction

“Civil Peace” is a 1971 short story by Chinua Achebe, one of Africa’s most prominent authors and often considered the father of the modern African novel. The story explores the period that followed the Nigerian Civil War, also known as the Biafran War (1967-1970). The Igbo people of southeast Nigeria wanted freedom from the Hausa people and proclaimed independence forming the Republic of Biafra. Achebe investigates the period through the lens of his character Jonathan... Read Civil Peace Summary


Publication year 2010Genre Biography, NonfictionThemes Identity: Femininity, Society: Politics & Government, Values/Ideas: Power & Greed, Society: WarTags History: World, Ancient Egypt, Ancient Rome, Women's Studies (Nonfiction), Biography

Publication year 2023Genre Novel, FictionThemes Relationships: Mothers, Values/Ideas: Loyalty & Betrayal, Values/Ideas: Power & Greed, Values/Ideas: Religion & Spirituality, Emotions/Behavior: Hate & Anger, Emotions/Behavior: Revenge, Identity: Femininity, Relationships: Family, Society: Politics & Government, Society: War, Values/Ideas: Fate, Values/Ideas: Justice & InjusticeTags Mythology, Fantasy, Historical Fiction, Gender / Feminism, History: World

Publication year 2020Genre Novel, FictionThemes Society: War, Relationships: Marriage, Identity: Gender, Emotions/Behavior: Courage, Identity: FemininityTags Historical Fiction, WWII / World War II, Romance, Military / War, History: World, French Literature

Publication year 1997Genre Novel, FictionThemes Emotions/Behavior: Memory, Emotions/Behavior: Determination / Perseverance, Emotions/Behavior: Love, Life/Time: The Past, Society: WarTags Historical Fiction, Romance, American Civil War, Military / War, Literary Fiction, Trauma / Abuse / Violence, Survival Fiction, History: World, Classic Fiction

Cold Mountain (1997) is a novel by Charles Frazier. It tells the story of W.P. Inman, a deserter from the Confederate Army who attempts to return home to his romantic partner, Ada. The novel won the National Book Award and was adapted into an Academy Award–winning film of the same name. This guide refers to the 2011 Sceptre edition. Content Warning: The source text contains discussions of racism, violence, abuse of women and children, and... Read Cold Mountain Summary


Publication year 1939Genre Novel, FictionThemes Emotions/Behavior: Nostalgia, Society: Class, Life/Time: The Past, Society: War, Society: Nation, Emotions/Behavior: MemoryTags Historical Fiction, Satire, British Literature, History: World, Classic Fiction

Coming Up For Air is an interwar novel written by British author George Orwell shortly before the outbreak of World War II. Originally published in 1939, the novel was written in Morocco while Orwell was recovering from injuries received while fighting in the Spanish Civil War. Set in the late 1930s, the novel follows a middle-aged insurance salesman named George Bowling as he struggles with anxieties about the coming war. Like Orwell’s more famous novels... Read Coming Up for Air Summary


Publication year 2010Genre Book, NonfictionThemes Identity: Gender, Identity: Race, Life/Time: The Past, Society: Class, Society: Community, Society: Nation, Society: Politics & Government, Society: War, Values/Ideas: Justice & InjusticeTags History: U.S., American Civil War, Military / War, History: World, Politics / Government

Publication year 1987Genre Novel, FictionThemes Natural World: Space & The Universe, Society: War, Emotions/Behavior: Conflict, Society: Nation, Values/Ideas: Religion & Spirituality, Values/Ideas: Science & TechnologyTags Arts / Culture, Science-Fiction / Dystopian Fiction, Fantasy, Action / Adventure

Publication year 1980Genre Book, NonfictionThemes Natural World: Space & The Universe, Natural World: Environment, Natural World: Place, Emotions/Behavior: Determination / Perseverance, Emotions/Behavior: Hope, Values/Ideas: Science & Technology, Values/Ideas: Truth & Lies, Society: Education, Society: Globalization, Society: WarTags Science / Nature, History: World, Philosophy, Philosophy, Classic Fiction

Publication year 2020Genre Book, NonfictionThemes Society: War, Values/Ideas: Science & Technology, Society: Politics & GovernmentTags History: U.S., WWII / World War II, Politics / Government, Military / War, History: World

Publication year 2005Genre Novel, FictionThemes Values/Ideas: Loyalty & Betrayal, Relationships: Teams, Natural World: Animals, Society: War, Emotions/Behavior: Determination / PerseveranceTags Military / War, Historical Fiction, Animals, Action / Adventure

Cynthia Kadohata’s Cracker!: The Best Dog in Vietnam is a work of historical fiction that centers around a dog, Cracker, and her handler, Rick Hanski, during their deployment in Vietnam. It is aimed at an audience of middle-grade readers but is also an enjoyable and educational read for adults. Told from the perspective of both the canine and human main characters, Kadohata reveals the vitally important work conducted by military dogs and their handlers during... Read Cracker Summary


Publication year 2023Genre Novel, FictionThemes Emotions/Behavior: Conflict, Emotions/Behavior: Fear, Relationships: Family, Relationships: Teams, Society: Politics & Government, Society: War, Values/Ideas: Good & Evil, Values/Ideas: Justice & Injustice, Values/Ideas: Loyalty & BetrayalTags Horror / Thriller / Suspense Fiction, Mystery / Crime Fiction, Psychological Fiction, Military / War, Action / Adventure

Publication year 2011Genre Novel, FictionThemes Emotions/Behavior: Courage, Emotions/Behavior: Determination / Perseverance, Emotions/Behavior: Hope, Emotions/Behavior: Love, Emotions/Behavior: Memory, Life/Time: Coming of Age, Life/Time: Mortality & Death, Self Discovery, Society: War, Values/Ideas: Art, Values/Ideas: Justice & Injustice, Values/Ideas: Literature, Values/Ideas: Safety & Danger, Values/Ideas: Trust & Doubt, Values/Ideas: Truth & Lies, Values/Ideas: Science & TechnologyTags Science-Fiction / Dystopian Fiction, Romance, Fantasy, Action / Adventure, Arts / Culture, Love / Sexuality, Science / Nature, Social Justice

Publication year 1897Genre Play, FictionThemes Emotions/Behavior: Love, Values/Ideas: Art, Values/Ideas: Beauty, Values/Ideas: Truth & Lies, Emotions/Behavior: Grief, Emotions/Behavior: Shame & Pride, Society: War, Values/Ideas: LiteratureTags Classic Fiction, Play: Drama, Play: Comedy / Satire, Romance, Auto/Biographical Fiction, French Literature, Arts / Culture, Love / Sexuality, Grief / Death, Finance / Money / Wealth, Education, Education, Drama / Tragedy, Historical Fiction

Cyrano de Bergerac: An Heroic Comedy in Five Acts by Edmond Rostand was originally published in 1898. Rostand was a popular poet and playwright in France during his lifetime. Cyrano de Bergerac is a five-act verse drama—a tragic romance, set in France in the mid-1600s. It was far more popular than all of Rostand’s other works and has been performed and adapted countless times since its initial successful run.Cyrano de Bergerac explores themes of Unrequited... Read Cyrano de Bergerac Summary


Publication year 2022Genre Novel, FictionThemes Emotions/Behavior: Determination / Perseverance, Emotions/Behavior: Guilt, Emotions/Behavior: Hate & Anger, Emotions/Behavior: Love, Emotions/Behavior: Revenge, Life/Time: Coming of Age, Natural World: Animals, Society: Colonialism, Society: War, Values/Ideas: Loyalty & Betrayal, Values/Ideas: Power & GreedTags Fantasy, Romance

Publication year 1960Genre Novel, FictionThemes Emotions/Behavior: Conflict, Emotions/Behavior: Guilt, Emotions/Behavior: Memory, Values/Ideas: Fate, Values/Ideas: Good & Evil, Society: WarTags Historical Fiction, WWII / World War II, Holocaust, Military / War, Relationships, Jewish Literature, History: World, Classic Fiction

Publication year 1941Genre Essay / Speech, NonfictionThemes Emotions/Behavior: Determination / Perseverance, Society: Nation, Society: War, Values/Ideas: Good & EvilTags Politics / Government

Publication year 2016Genre Novel, FictionThemes Society: War, Identity: Gender, Identity: Sexuality, Relationships: FamilyTags Western, Historical Fiction, Military / War, LGBTQ, American Civil War, Race / Racism, History: World, Irish Literature

Days Without End (2016) is a novel by Irish author Sebastian Barry. Days Without End is Barry’s ninth novel and received considerable critical acclaim. The novel won the 2017 Walter Scott Prize, was listed at number 74 on The Guardian’s list of the 100 best books of the 21st century (2019 edition), and made BBC News’s 2019 list of the 100 most influential novels. The novel also won the 2016 Costa Book Award, making Barry... Read Days Without End Summary


Publication year 2014Genre Novel, FictionThemes Society: War, Relationships: Family, Life/Time: Coming of AgeTags Historical Fiction, Vietnam War, Coming of Age / Bildungsroman, Military / War, History: World

Publication year 2010Genre Novel, FictionThemes Emotions/Behavior: Conflict, Emotions/Behavior: Determination / Perseverance, Emotions/Behavior: Hope, Life/Time: Mortality & Death, Life/Time: The Future, Natural World: Objects, Natural World: Space & The Universe, Relationships: Teams, Society: Colonialism, Society: Politics & Government, Society: War, Values/Ideas: Loyalty & Betrayal, Values/Ideas: Power & Greed, Values/Ideas: Safety & Danger, Values/Ideas: Science & TechnologyTags Science-Fiction / Dystopian Fiction, Fantasy, Chinese Literature

Publication year 1994Genre Book, NonfictionThemes Values/Ideas: Win & Lose, Society: War, Emotions/Behavior: ConflictTags History: U.S., Military / War, History: World, Philosophy, Philosophy, Politics / Government

Diplomacy (1994) is a book by the scholar and diplomat Henry Kissinger. After leaving the government in 1977, Kissinger wrote a series of memoirs such as White House Years (1979) and Years of Upheaval (1982). Diplomacy was the first of what would be many books offering a broader view of international affairs and US foreign policy. It has lessons for policymakers but is also accessible to general readers. The book received many positive reviews for... Read Diplomacy Summary


Publication year 1977Genre Essay Collection, NonfictionThemes Society: WarTags Military / War, History: U.S., Journalism, History: World, Biography

First published in 1977, Dispatches is Michael Herr’s account of his time spent as a war correspondent in Vietnam. The conflict that occurred in Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia started on November 1, 1955. President Kennedy escalated U.S. involvement in 1961, followed by President Johnson, who committed even more resources and men in 1963. 58,220 U.S. soldiers and approximately 250,000 South Vietnamese soldiers lost their lives during the conflict. Michael Herr was a correspondent for Esquire Magazine... Read Dispatches Summary


Publication year 2023Genre Novel, FictionThemes Values/Ideas: Truth & Lies, Society: Politics & Government, Society: War, Relationships: Family, Emotions/Behavior: LoveTags Fantasy, Romance, Military / War, History: World, Historical Fiction

Publication year 1957Genre Novel, FictionThemes Emotions/Behavior: Guilt, Emotions/Behavior: Love, Emotions/Behavior: Nostalgia, Society: Class, Society: WarTags Historical Fiction, Classic Fiction, Romance, Russian Literature, Military / War, History: World

Introduction Doctor Zhivago is a 1957 novel by Russian author Boris Pasternak. Set during the early 20th century, the story follows the titular Yuri Zhivago as he deals with revolution and social upheaval in his native country. As well as being widely praised following its publication, the novel has been adapted numerous times for the screen, most famously in a 1965 film—for which Pasternak cowrote the screenplay—directed by David Lean and starring Omar Sharif and Julie... Read Doctor Zhivago Summary


Publication year 2001Genre Autobiography / Memoir, NonfictionThemes Emotions/Behavior: Memory, Emotions/Behavior: Shame & Pride, Identity: Race, Life/Time: Childhood & Youth, Natural World: Place, Relationships: Family, Society: Colonialism, Society: War, Identity: Indigenous

Don’t Let’s Go to the Dogs Tonight (2002) is a memoir by Alexandra Fuller. Fuller recounts her childhood during the tumultuous years of the Rhodesian Bush War and life in post-independence Southern Africa. The author details her family‘s tragedies against the backdrop of political upheaval and social change as they settle on a series of struggling farms in Zimbabwe (then known as Rhodesia), Malawi, and Zambia. The memoir was a New York Times Notable Book for... Read Don't Let's Go to the Dogs Tonight Summary


Publication year 1992Genre Novel, FictionThemes Emotions/Behavior: Conflict, Emotions/Behavior: Courage, Emotions/Behavior: Fear, Emotions/Behavior: Forgiveness, Emotions/Behavior: Grief, Emotions/Behavior: Guilt, Emotions/Behavior: Hate & Anger, Emotions/Behavior: Love, Emotions/Behavior: Determination / Perseverance, Emotions/Behavior: Shame & Pride, Emotions/Behavior: Revenge, Emotions/Behavior: Nostalgia, Emotions/Behavior: Memory, Emotions/Behavior: Hope, Identity: Masculinity, Identity: Gender, Identity: Femininity, Identity: Sexuality, Life/Time: Mortality & Death, Life/Time: The Past, Life/Time: The Future, Natural World: Place, Relationships: Marriage, Society: Nation, Society: Politics & Government, Society: War, Values/Ideas: Fate, Values/Ideas: Justice & Injustice, Society: Class, Values/Ideas: Loyalty & Betrayal, Values/Ideas: Order & Chaos, Values/Ideas: Safety & Danger, Values/Ideas: Trust & Doubt, Values/Ideas: Truth & Lies, Values/Ideas: Win & Lose, Values/Ideas: Religion & SpiritualityTags Historical Fiction, Romance, Fantasy, Science-Fiction / Dystopian Fiction, Action / Adventure, History: European, Health / Medicine, History: World

Publication year 1920Genre Poem, FictionThemes Society: War, Society: NationTags Military / War, Grief / Death, WWI / World War I, Education, Education, British Literature, History: World, Classic Fiction

Among Wilfred Owen’s most famous poems, “Dulce et Decorum Est” was written in 1917 while he was in Craiglockhart War Hospital in Scotland, recovering from injuries sustained on the battlefield during World War I. The poem details the death of a soldier from chlorine gas told by another soldier who witnesses his gruesome end. Owen himself died in action on November 4, 1918 in France at the age of 25. He published only five poems... Read Dulce et Decorum est Summary


Publication year 2023Genre Novel, FictionThemes Relationships: Family, Emotions/Behavior: Guilt, Identity: Race, Society: WarTags Historical Fiction, Asian Literature, Military / War, Modern Classic Fiction, Asian Literature, History: World

Publication year 1863Genre Essay / Speech, NonfictionThemes Values/Ideas: Equality, Society: War, Values/Ideas: Justice & Injustice, Society: Politics & Government, Society: Nation, Identity: RaceTags History: U.S., Politics / Government, Race / Racism, American Civil War

Publication year 1999Genre Book, NonfictionThemes Values/Ideas: Justice & Injustice, Values/Ideas: Power & Greed, Emotions/Behavior: Memory, Emotions/Behavior: Grief, Society: War, Society: ColonialismTags History: Asian, WWII / World War II, Politics / Government, Military / War, Asian Literature, History: World, Japanese Literature

Publication year 2016Genre Novel, FictionThemes Emotions/Behavior: Guilt, Life/Time: Mortality & Death, Life/Time: The Future, Life/Time: The Past, Society: Politics & Government, Society: War, Values/Ideas: Fate, Values/Ideas: Good & EvilTags Fairy Tale / Folklore, Fantasy, Romance, Action / Adventure, New Adult

Publication year 1984Genre Novel, FictionThemes Life/Time: Coming of Age, Society: War, Society: ColonialismTags Historical Fiction, Auto/Biographical Fiction, Military / War, WWII / World War II, History: World, Chinese Literature, Japanese Literature, Classic Fiction

Empire of the Sun is a 1984 novel written by British author J.G. Ballard. In it, Jim, the 11-year-old son of a wealthy British family, is living in the International Settlement in Shanghai, China on the eve of Pearl Harbor, 1941. When Japanese forces attack the Settlement, Jim is separated from his parents. He survives for several weeks by scavenging food from abandoned houses, before being arrested by the Japanese. He is then taken to... Read Empire of the Sun Summary


Publication year 2015Genre Memoir in Verse, NonfictionThemes Relationships: Family, Life/Time: Coming of Age, Identity: Language, Society: WarTags History: World, Latin American Literature, Cold War, Children's Literature, Arts / Culture, Biography

Publication year 2012Genre Novel, FictionThemes Society: War, Relationships: Mothers, Self Discovery, Natural World: AnimalsTags Coming of Age / Bildungsroman, Action / Adventure, Survival Fiction, Animals, Children's Literature, Military / War, Realistic Fiction, Modern Classic Fiction

IntroductionEliot Schrefer’s coming-of-age novel Endangered was published by Scholastic in 2012 and is the first book in The Ape Quartet. Set the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the story is written for a young adult audience and is a 2012 National Book Award finalist in Young People’s Literature. The novel follows Sophie Biyoya-Ciardulli’s journey as she navigates the perils of war-torn Congo in search of her mother, protecting a young, orphaned bonobo throughout her journey... Read Endangered Summary


Publication year 1985Genre Novel, FictionThemes Society: War, Relationships: Teams, Values/Ideas: Win & Lose, Emotions/Behavior: Conflict, Natural World: Appearance & Reality, Relationships: Siblings, Emotions/Behavior: GuiltTags Science-Fiction / Dystopian Fiction, Fantasy, Classic Fiction, Trauma / Abuse / Violence, Bullying, Military / War, Cold War, Action / Adventure

Ender’s Game (1985) is a best-selling dystopian science fiction novel by Orson Scott Card. The story follows a precocious boy’s fight against space aliens and his own government. The essence of the story first appeared in a small sci-fi journal in 1977 as a short story of the same name. Card expanded the premise into a series that includes 15 novels and 13 related short stories. In addition to winning a Nebula Award in 1985... Read Ender's Game Summary


Publication year 1950Genre Essay / Speech, NonfictionThemes Society: Politics & Government, Society: Nation, Society: War, Values/Ideas: Truth & Lies, Values/Ideas: Trust & Doubt

Publication year 2023Genre Novel, FictionThemes Society: Politics & Government, Relationships: Family, Identity: Race, Society: Nation, Society: War, Values/Ideas: ArtTags Arts / Culture

Publication year 1950Genre Short Story, FictionThemes Values/Ideas: Science & Technology, Society: War, Emotions/Behavior: LoveTags Science-Fiction / Dystopian Fiction, Education, Education

Kurt Vonnegut’s short story “EPICAC” is a work of science fiction/dystopian fiction originally published in the November 25, 1950, issue of Collier’s Weekly and was later included in his first short story collection, Welcome to the Monkey House (1968). Vonnegut is one of the 20th century’s best-known American satirical writers, and his military experience informs the anti-war themes and dark humor of his work. “EPICAC” follows a military supercomputer that develops romantic feelings for its... Read Epicac Summary


Publication year 2021Genre Novel, FictionThemes Emotions/Behavior: Love, Emotions/Behavior: Hate & Anger, Relationships: Family, Relationships: Friendship, Society: War, Identity: Race, Values/Ideas: Loyalty & Betrayal, Emotions/Behavior: Fear, Natural World: Food, Values/Ideas: LiteratureTags Historical Fiction, Romance, WWII / World War II, Military / War, Italian Literature, History: World

Publication year 1942Genre Essay / Speech, NonfictionThemes Society: Politics & Government, Society: Immigration, Society: War, Identity: RaceTags Politics / Government, History: U.S., Incarceration, WWII / World War II, Race / Racism

Publication year 2013Genre Novel, FictionThemes Emotions/Behavior: Courage, Emotions/Behavior: Determination / Perseverance, Emotions/Behavior: Hope, Emotions/Behavior: Love, Emotions/Behavior: Memory, Identity: Language, Identity: Race, Life/Time: The Future, Life/Time: The Past, Relationships: Family, Relationships: Friendship, Society: Community, Society: Education, Society: Immigration, Society: Nation, Society: War, Values/Ideas: Fate, Values/Ideas: Justice & Injustice, Values/Ideas: Music, Values/Ideas: Safety & Danger, Values/Ideas: Trust & Doubt, Emotions/Behavior: Conflict, Natural World: Animals, Values/Ideas: Good & Evil, Values/Ideas: Loyalty & Betrayal, Values/Ideas: Truth & Lies, Self DiscoveryTags Children's Literature, Mystery / Crime Fiction, Romance, Fantasy, Action / Adventure

Publication year 1958Genre Novel, FictionThemes Society: Nation, Emotions/Behavior: Determination / Perseverance, Identity: Race, Society: Immigration, Society: WarTags Historical Fiction, Jewish Literature, Military / War, WWII / World War II, History: World, Classic Fiction, Religion / Spirituality

Exodus (1958) is a historical novel by the Jewish American author Leon Uris. The novel follows the multigenerational story of a Jewish family in Palestine, giving the sweep of Jewish history from the First Aliyah in the 1880s to the modern state of Israel’s establishment in 1948. It focuses its greatest attention on the years from 1946 to 1948, following a group of Jewish agents and refugees as they first attempt to transport immigrants to... Read Exodus Summary


Publication year 2005Genre Novel, FictionThemes Emotions/Behavior: Grief, Emotions/Behavior: Loneliness, Relationships: Family, Society: WarTags Historical Fiction, Coming of Age / Bildungsroman, Drama / Tragedy, Grief / Death, Trauma / Abuse / Violence, September 11 Attacks, Modern Classic Fiction

Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close is a realistic fiction novel written by Jonathan Safran Foer and based on the September 11 terrorist attacks that occurred in New York City in 2001. The novel was originally published in 2005. Its characters grapple with Fear of Death and Loss as an Obstacle to Living, The Complex Nature of Relationships, The Importance of Little Things, and The Influence of the Past on the Present. This guide uses the... Read Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close Summary


Publication year 1978Genre Novel, FictionThemes Emotions/Behavior: Courage, Emotions/Behavior: Determination / Perseverance, Emotions/Behavior: Grief, Emotions/Behavior: Loneliness, Identity: Disability, Identity: Gender, Society: WarTags Horror / Thriller / Suspense Fiction, Historical Fiction, Mystery / Crime Fiction, WWII / World War II, Military / War, History: World

The Eye of the Needle is an espionage thriller by best-selling author Ken Follett. Originally published in 1978 under the title, Storm Island, the novel follows the hunt for German spy and assassin Henry Faber. Faber has obtained information that will influence Adolf Hitler’s decision on whether to send reinforcements to Erwin Rommell’s army in Normandy in anticipation of a joint British and American attack. The Eye of the Needle is Ken Follett’s first commercially... Read Eye of the Needle Summary


Publication year 2021Genre Book, NonfictionThemes Society: War, Values/Ideas: Justice & Injustice, Values/Ideas: Equality, Society: ImmigrationTags WWII / World War II, History: World, Military / War, History: U.S., History: European, Grief / Death, Japanese Literature, Biography

Publication year 1988Genre Novel, FictionThemes Society: War, Identity: Mental Health, Relationships: FriendshipTags Military / War, Historical Fiction, Coming of Age / Bildungsroman, Vietnam War, Education, Education, Realistic Fiction, History: World

Prolific children’s author Walter Dean Myers published his novel Fallen Angels in 1988. The young adult novel tells the story of a 17-year-old African American teenager from Harlem named Richie Perry who enlists in the United States Army during the Vietnam War. The novel follows Perry as he faces the realities of war with his fellow soldiers and transitions into adulthood on the battlefield. The novel contemplates racial and socio-economic issues in the US, the... Read Fallen Angels Summary


Publication year 2010Genre Novel, FictionThemes Society: War, Society: Politics & Government, Emotions/Behavior: LoveTags Historical Fiction, Military / War, WWI / World War I, History: World, Relationships, Politics / Government, Poverty, Grief / Death, Russian Literature, Narrative / Epic Poem

Fall of Giants by Ken Follett, published in 2010, is a historical novel and the first installment of the Century Trilogy. The trilogy takes place during the 20th century and is told through the points of view of five interconnected families from Wales, Germany, America, and Russia. Fall of Giants spans World War I, the Russian Revolution, and the women’s suffrage movement. Winter of the World, the second book in the trilogy, takes place against... Read Fall Of Giants Summary


Publication year 2012Genre Novel, FictionThemes Emotions/Behavior: Determination / Perseverance, Emotions/Behavior: Fear, Identity: Race, Life/Time: Childhood & Youth, Life/Time: Coming of Age, Life/Time: Mortality & Death, Society: War

Publication year 2019Genre Novel, FictionThemes Emotions/Behavior: Conflict, Emotions/Behavior: Hate & Anger, Emotions/Behavior: Memory, Identity: Language, Identity: Mental Health, Life/Time: Coming of Age, Life/Time: The Past, Natural World: Food, Relationships: Family, Relationships: Friendship, Relationships: Grandparents, Society: Immigration, Society: War, Values/Ideas: Justice & InjusticeTags Children's Literature, Military / War, Modern Classic Fiction, History: World, Historical Fiction, Mental Illness, Realistic Fiction, Korean War

Publication year 2018Genre Novel, FictionThemes Identity: Gender, Values/Ideas: Loyalty & Betrayal, Society: WarTags Fantasy, Science-Fiction / Dystopian Fiction

Publication year 2019Genre Novel, FictionThemes Emotions/Behavior: Conflict, Emotions/Behavior: Memory, Emotions/Behavior: Revenge, Life/Time: Coming of Age, Self Discovery, Society: Class, Society: Nation, Society: Politics & Government, Society: War, Values/Ideas: Justice & Injustice, Values/Ideas: Order & ChaosTags Fantasy, Romance, Science-Fiction / Dystopian Fiction

Publication year 1947Genre Biography, NonfictionThemes Society: War, Values/Ideas: Justice & Injustice, Values/Ideas: Truth & LiesTags Holocaust, History: World, WWII / World War II, Military / War, Biography

Publication year 1953Genre Short Story, FictionThemes Emotions/Behavior: Shame & Pride, Identity: Race, Society: WarTags Historical Fiction, Race / Racism, African American Literature, American Literature, History: World, Classic Fiction

“Flying Home” is the titular story of Ralph Ellison’s collection published in 1944. It tells the story of Todd, a Black Air Force candidate in flight training school in Macon County, Alabama, during World War II. As one of the first Black people accepted into the school, Todd is determined to prove that his capabilities are equal to those of his white counterparts. The story addresses themes of Fear of Judgment, Opportunities and the American... Read Flying Home Summary


Publication year 2016Genre Novel, FictionThemes Identity: Gender, Society: War, Values/Ideas: Truth & LiesTags Horror / Thriller / Suspense Fiction, Mystery / Crime Fiction

Publication year 1940Genre Novel, FictionThemes Emotions/Behavior: Courage, Emotions/Behavior: Determination / Perseverance, Emotions/Behavior: Fear, Identity: Gender, Identity: Masculinity, Relationships: Marriage, Society: War, Values/Ideas: Loyalty & BetrayalTags American Literature, Classic Fiction, Historical Fiction, Military / War, History: World

For Whom the Bell Tolls (1940) is a novel by the Modernist American author Ernest Hemingway. The novel tells the story of Robert Jordan, an American volunteer working as a demolition specialist for the Republican army during the Spanish Civil War. Robert, sent to blow up a bridge to aid a Republican offensive, enlists the aid of a band of guerrilla fighters in the mountains. Robert falls in love with a woman in their care... Read For Whom the Bell Tolls Summary


Publication year 1941Genre Essay / Speech, NonfictionThemes Society: Nation, Society: War, Values/Ideas: Justice & InjusticeTags History: U.S., Politics / Government

Genre Essay / Speech, NonfictionThemes Society: War, Values/Ideas: Good & Evil, Values/Ideas: Justice & Injustice, Society: Politics & GovernmentTags Politics / Government, History: World, WWI / World War I

Publication year 2023Genre Novel, FictionThemes Values/Ideas: Truth & Lies, Values/Ideas: Loyalty & Betrayal, Society: War, Society: Politics & Government, Identity: DisabilityTags Fantasy, Romance, New Adult, Coming of Age / Bildungsroman

Publication year 2018Genre Biography, NonfictionThemes Identity: Race, Society: War, Values/Ideas: Religion & SpiritualityTags Race / Racism, History: U.S., Civil Rights / Jim Crow, Politics / Government, American Civil War, Reconstruction Era, Military / War, History: World, Biography

Publication year 1989Genre Autobiography / Memoir, NonfictionThemes Society: Nation, Society: Politics & Government, Society: War, Values/Ideas: Justice & Injustice, Values/Ideas: Order & Chaos, Values/Ideas: Safety & DangerTags Jewish Literature, Military / War, Journalism, History: World, Travel Literature, Politics / Government

From Beirut to Jerusalem is a 1989 book by the American journalist Thomas Friedman. It chronicles the years he spent as a journalist in the two cities of the book’s name, during a remarkably tumultuous period in that region’s politics. It is part personal memoir, part analysis (leaning on the advice of many of his expert friends, such as Fouad Ajami), part collection of anecdotes ranging from the funny to the heartbreaking to the absurd... Read From Beirut to Jerusalem Summary


Publication year 1985Genre Novel, FictionThemes Values/Ideas: Science & Technology, Values/Ideas: Order & Chaos, Values/Ideas: Equality, Values/Ideas: Power & Greed, Values/Ideas: Fate, Values/Ideas: Safety & Danger, Society: Class, Society: Economics, Society: War, Emotions/Behavior: Hope, Emotions/Behavior: Guilt, Natural World: Nurture v. NatureTags Science-Fiction / Dystopian Fiction, Humor, Post Modernism, Trauma / Abuse / Violence, Finance / Money / Wealth, Anthropology

Galapagos is a 1985 novel by American author Kurt Vonnegut. The novel’s narrator is the long-dead Leon Trout, a ghost who watched the evolution of humanity of the course of a million years. The story explores the themes Nature Versus Nurture, Pacifism, and Regret.This guide uses an eBook version of the 1985 Dial Press edition.Content Warning: This novel depicts explicit acts of violence and refers to death by suicide.Plot SummaryLeon Trout, the story’s narrator, is... Read Galapagos Summary


Publication year 1999Genre Novel, FictionThemes Relationships: Friendship, Society: War, Values/Ideas: Good & Evil, Values/Ideas: Justice & Injustice, Values/Ideas: Loyalty & BetrayalTags Fantasy, Action / Adventure, Science-Fiction / Dystopian Fiction, Narrative / Epic Poem

Steven Erikson’s Garden of the Moon is an epic fantasy novel and the first installment in the Malazan Book of the Fallen series. Published in 1999, the novel follows a large cast of characters as they contend with the threat of an ever-expanding empire and grapple with ancient magical forces. Erikson, an anthropologist and archeologist by training, sets the novel in a fictional world peopled by human and non-human races, magic users, and a pantheon... Read Gardens of the Moon Summary


Publication year 1998Genre Novel, FictionThemes Society: War, Relationships: SiblingsTags Military / War, History: World, Historical Fiction, Fantasy

Gates of Fire is a 1998 work of historical fiction by Steven Pressfield centered around the famous Battle of Thermopylae (480 BC), in which a heavily-outnumbered force of native Greeks led by the Spartans held the invading army of the Persian Empire at bay for several days. Despite their eventual defeat, the Greek forces became renowned for their valor and sacrifice. The story is framed as a series of interviews between Xeones (“Xeo”), a wounded... Read Gates of Fire Summary


Publication year 1930Genre Novel, FictionThemes Emotions/Behavior: Conflict, Emotions/Behavior: Fear, Society: Class, Society: Nation, Society: WarTags Education, Education, Military / War, History: World, Historical Fiction, WWI / World War I, Classic Fiction

Publication year 2023Genre Book, NonfictionThemes Society: Immigration, Society: Nation, Society: Politics & Government, Society: WarTags WWII / World War II, History: World, Military / War, Spy / Espionage, Horror / Thriller / Suspense Fiction, Japanese Literature

Publication year 2001Genre Book, NonfictionThemes Emotions/Behavior: Determination / Perseverance, Society: War, Relationships: Friendship, Emotions/Behavior: Courage, Emotions/Behavior: HopeTags Military / War, WWII / World War II, History: World, History: U.S., Biography

Ghost Soldiers: The Epic Account of World War II’s Greatest Rescue Mission by American journalist and historian Hampton Sides tells the story of a daring rescue raid on the Japanese-controlled Cabanatuan Allied prisoner-of-war camp in the Philippines at the end of World War II. 121 US Rangers, Alamo Scouts, and hundreds of armed and unarmed Filipino guerillas successfully rescued over 500 remaining POWs on January 30, 1945. The book details the stories of the American POWs... Read Ghost Soldiers Summary


Publication year 1775Genre Essay / Speech, NonfictionThemes Values/Ideas: Justice & Injustice, Society: War, Values/Ideas: Religion & SpiritualityTags History: U.S., Politics / Government, American Revolution, Military / War, History: World, Inspirational, Philosophy, Philosophy, Classic Fiction

Patrick Henry, widely considered a Founding Father of the United States, delivered his speech “Give me Liberty, or Give me Death” to the Second Virginia Convention in 1775. The goal of the convention was to decide how to handle Britain’s military threat. Henry believed in fighting for independence—the speech’s immediate goal was to convince Virginia to raise a militia—while others wanted to compromise with Britain. Although no manuscript of Henry’s speech exists, accounts from convention... Read Give Me Liberty, or Give Me Death Summary


Publication year 2022Genre Reference/Text Book, NonfictionThemes Identity: Race, Society: Colonialism, Society: Nation, Society: Politics & Government, Society: War, Values/Ideas: Equality, Values/Ideas: Justice & InjusticeTags Education, Education, History: U.S., History: World

Publication year 1981Genre Novel, FictionThemes Natural World: Space & The Universe, Identity: Gender, Life/Time: The Future, Natural World: Environment, Society: Politics & Government, Society: WarTags Science-Fiction / Dystopian Fiction, Fantasy, Philosophy, Philosophy, Classic Fiction

Publication year 1978Genre Novel, FictionThemes Society: War, Emotions/Behavior: Shame & Pride, Emotions/Behavior: GuiltTags Military / War, American Literature, Education, Education, History: World, Historical Fiction, Classic Fiction

Going After Cacciato, by Tim O’Brien, is a novel about a young soldier’s experiences in the Vietnam War. However, as the New York Times noted in its initial review of the novel upon its publication in 1978, “call[ing] Going After Cacciato a novel about war is like calling Moby Dick a novel about whales.” The novel does not simply recount the events of the war; it dives into the inner life of its protagonist, Paul... Read Going After Cacciato Summary


Publication year 1986Genre Autobiography / Memoir, NonfictionThemes Society: Community, Emotions/Behavior: Courage, Emotions/Behavior: Memory, Emotions/Behavior: Nostalgia, Relationships: Mothers, Society: Class, Society: Colonialism, Society: Globalization, Society: WarTags Social Science, Sociology, History: World, Psychology, Psychology, Relationships, Self Help, WWII / World War II, Military / War, Action / Adventure

Publication year 2015Genre Novel, FictionThemes Natural World: Space & The Universe, Values/Ideas: Loyalty & Betrayal, Relationships: Friendship, Emotions/Behavior: Love, Society: War, Society: ClassTags Science-Fiction / Dystopian Fiction, Fantasy, Action / Adventure

Publication year 1929Genre Autobiography / Memoir, NonfictionThemes Society: War, Relationships: MothersTags Military / War, WWI / World War I, History: World, Classic Fiction, Biography

English poet and classicist Robert Graves wrote his autobiography, Good-Bye to All That, in 1929, at the age of 34. Graves undertook the writing of his autobiography with the hope of crafting a best-selling book that would support his career as a writer. Good-Bye to All That details Graves’s life from his upper-middle-class childhood in England to his service as a military officer in World War I, and on to his first few years as... Read Goodbye to All That Summary


Publication year 1981Genre Novel, FictionThemes Emotions/Behavior: Fear, Emotions/Behavior: Gratitude, Emotions/Behavior: Love, Life/Time: Childhood & Youth, Relationships: Family, Relationships: Fathers, Relationships: Friendship, Relationships: Mothers, Society: Community, Society: War, Values/Ideas: Safety & DangerTags Historical Fiction, Military / War, WWII / World War II

Goodnight Mister Tom is a work of historical fiction written by Michelle Magorian and published in 1981. The novel is aimed at an audience of middle grade readers. It tells the story of eight-year-old William Beech, who, at the start of WWII, has to move with his abusive mother from an impoverished suburb of London to the countryside, where they are in the care of an elderly recluse, Thomas Oakley. The novel explores the impact... Read Goodnight Mister Tom Summary


Publication year 1918Genre Poem, FictionThemes Life/Time: The Past, Society: WarTags Science / Nature

Publication year 1973Genre Novel, FictionThemes Society: War, Values/Ideas: Truth & Lies, Emotions/Behavior: Conflict, Values/Ideas: Science & TechnologyTags Historical Fiction, Science-Fiction / Dystopian Fiction, WWII / World War II, Satire, Trauma / Abuse / Violence, Military / War, American Literature, Classic Fiction

Gravity’s Rainbow is a 1973 historical satire by American novelist Thomas Pynchon, who is known for complex narratives that are often dense, fragmented, and episodic. The story is set during the last days of World War II as characters search for a mysterious rocket developed by the German military. The novel has been hailed as one of the most important English language works of the 20th century.Pynchon, disinclined to engage with the press or public... Read Gravity's Rainbow Summary


Publication year 1918Genre Poem, FictionThemes Emotions/Behavior: Love, Society: War, Life/Time: Mortality & Death, Identity: Masculinity, Values/Ideas: Truth & LiesTags Lyric Poem, Military / War, Grief / Death, Trauma / Abuse / Violence, History: European, WWI / World War I, British Literature, The Lost Generation

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Publication year 2018Genre Novel, FictionThemes Values/Ideas: Religion & Spirituality, Values/Ideas: Truth & Lies, Values/Ideas: Loyalty & Betrayal, Society: War, Relationships: Siblings, Natural World: Place, Identity: Race, Emotions/Behavior: Fear, Emotions/Behavior: Courage, Emotions/Behavior: GuiltTags Historical Fiction, Action / Adventure, Coming of Age / Bildungsroman, WWII / World War II, Military / War, Grief / Death, Trauma / Abuse / Violence, History: Asian, History: U.S., Religion / Spirituality, Children's Literature, History: World

Publication year 2021Genre Novel, FictionThemes Emotions/Behavior: Revenge, Relationships: Teams, Society: WarTags September 11 Attacks, Historical Fiction, Children's Literature, Military / War, Realistic Fiction, History: World, Action / Adventure

Publication year 1990Genre Book, NonfictionThemes Emotions/Behavior: Courage, Emotions/Behavior: Determination / Perseverance, Life/Time: Coming of Age, Natural World: Climate, Natural World: Environment, Relationships: Siblings, Relationships: Teams, Society: WarTags Children's Literature, Education, Education, History: U.S., History: World, Historical Fiction, American Revolution

Publication year 1912Genre Novel, FictionThemes Emotions/Behavior: Determination / Perseverance, Society: Colonialism, Society: War

Publication year 2002Genre Book, NonfictionThemes Emotions/Behavior: Courage, Emotions/Behavior: Determination / Perseverance, Emotions/Behavior: Grief, Values/Ideas: Justice & Injustice, Society: War, Emotions/Behavior: Love, Relationships: Family, Life/Time: The PastTags Holocaust, WWII / World War II, Jewish Literature, Children's Literature, Military / War, History: World, Biography

Originally published in 2002 by Second Story Press, Hana’s Suitcase is a historical text by Karen Levine that weaves together the story of two young children in the Holocaust with the narrative of a Japanese museum curator in the early 21st century. Levine, a radio journalist and producer, first heard about Hana Brady’s suitcase from a news article and subsequently produced a radio show about the story. This launched what would become Hana’s Suitcase and... Read Hana's Suitcase Summary


Publication year 2006Genre Novel, FictionThemes Emotions/Behavior: Courage, Emotions/Behavior: Determination / Perseverance, Emotions/Behavior: Loneliness, Identity: Race, Life/Time: Coming of Age, Natural World: Climate, Natural World: Environment, Natural World: Place, Relationships: Friendship, Society: Community, Society: Immigration, Society: WarTags Historical Fiction, Coming of Age / Bildungsroman, WWI / World War I

Kirby Larson’s Hattie Big Sky is a 2006 young adult historical fiction novel that won the Newbery Honor Award. Larson is a young adult author who specializes in writing historical fiction centering on strong female protagonists. Set during World War I, the novel follows Hattie Brooks as she travels to Montana to work on the farm that her uncle leaves to her after he dies. The novel explores themes of community, overcoming adversity, and issues... Read Hattie Big Sky Summary


Genre Play, FictionThemes Emotions/Behavior: Revenge, Society: War, Values/Ideas: Fate, Values/Ideas: Justice & Injustice, Emotions/Behavior: Conflict, Emotions/Behavior: Hate & AngerTags Play: Tragedy, Mythology, Ancient Greece, Classical Period, Grief / Death, History: European, Trauma / Abuse / Violence, Drama / Tragedy, Fantasy, Classic Fiction

Publication year 1991Genre Novel, FictionThemes Natural World: Space & The Universe, Society: War, Emotions/Behavior: Conflict, Emotions/Behavior: Fear, Emotions/Behavior: Hate & Anger, Values/Ideas: Power & GreedTags Science-Fiction / Dystopian Fiction, Fantasy, Action / Adventure

Genre Play, FictionThemes Society: War, Values/Ideas: Fate, Natural World: Appearance & RealityTags Classic Fiction, Mythology, Play: Tragedy, Drama / Tragedy, Fantasy

Publication year 1599Genre Play, FictionThemes Society: Nation, Life/Time: Coming of Age, Society: WarTags Classic Fiction, British Literature, Historical Fiction, Play: Drama, Education, Education, History: World, Drama / Tragedy

Henry V is a play by English playwright William Shakespeare, believed to have premiered in 1599. It is best preserved in the 1623 publication of Shakespeare’s work known as the First Folio. Shakespeare’s surviving work includes 10 history plays focusing on the history and kings of England 1399-1485 and based on actual events. Henry V is the fifth of these chronologically and focuses on King Henry V of England, specifically on the events surrounding the... Read Henry V Summary


Publication year 2024Genre Novel, FictionThemes Identity: Race, Relationships: Friendship, Society: WarTags Children's Literature, WWII / World War II, Military / War, History: World, Historical Fiction, Action / Adventure

Publication year 1942Genre Poem, FictionThemes Values/Ideas: Religion & Spirituality, Emotions/Behavior: Joy, Society: War, Values/Ideas: Beauty, Natural World: Space & The Universe

Publication year 1946Genre Book, NonfictionThemes Emotions/Behavior: Conflict, Emotions/Behavior: Courage, Life/Time: Mortality & Death, Society: WarTags Journalism, History: Asian, WWII / World War II, Creative Nonfiction, History: World, Education, Education, Military / War, Japanese Literature, Classic Fiction

Hiroshima, an account of the first atomic bomb used in warfare, is a nonfiction book by John Hersey. Alfred A. Knopf published it in 1946, several months after it first appeared as an article in the New Yorker. The magazine ran the article at the end of August 1946, just after the first anniversary of the dropping of the bomb, devoting the entire issue to the lengthy piece. The issue sold out immediately and was... Read Hiroshima Summary


Publication year 2012Genre Novel, FictionThemes Relationships: Marriage, Society: War, Relationships: Family, Emotions/Behavior: Love, Emotions/Behavior: Hope, Emotions/Behavior: Courage, Emotions/Behavior: Grief, Identity: Mental HealthTags Romance, Historical Fiction, Drama / Tragedy, Military / War, Modern Classic Fiction

Publication year 1986Genre Essay / Speech, NonfictionThemes Society: War, Emotions/Behavior: Hope, Emotions/Behavior: Memory, Values/Ideas: Justice & Injustice, Values/Ideas: Religion & Spirituality, Life/Time: The PastTags Holocaust, Religion / Spirituality

Publication year 2004Genre Essay Collection, NonfictionThemes Values/Ideas: Power & Greed, Society: Community, Society: Globalization, Society: Economics, Society: Politics & Government, Society: Nation, Society: Colonialism, Society: War, Natural World: EnvironmentTags Social Justice, Politics / Government, Gender / Feminism, History: World, Philosophy, Philosophy

Publication year 1858Genre Essay / Speech, NonfictionThemes Society: Class, Society: Politics & Government, Society: War, Values/Ideas: EqualityTags Politics / Government, History: U.S., History: World

Publication year 1968Genre Novel, FictionThemes Values/Ideas: Justice & Injustice, Emotions/Behavior: Apathy, Emotions/Behavior: Determination / Perseverance, Emotions/Behavior: Loneliness, Emotions/Behavior: Love, Natural World: Place, Natural World: Animals, Values/Ideas: Religion & Spirituality, Values/Ideas: Equality, Values/Ideas: Fate, Values/Ideas: Good & Evil, Values/Ideas: Order & Chaos, Society: Colonialism, Society: Community, Society: Nation, Society: Politics & Government, Society: War, Emotions/Behavior: MemoryTags Historical Fiction, Classic Fiction, American Literature, Addiction / Substance Abuse, Social Justice, History: World

The novel House Made of Dawn, by N. Scott Momaday, was first published in 1968. Heralded as a major landmark in the emergence of Indigenous American literature, the novel won the 1969 Pulitzer Prize for Fiction. House Made of Dawn blends fictional and nonfictional elements to depict life on an Indigenous American reservation like the one where Momaday grew up.This guide uses an eBook version of the 2018 First Harper Perennial Modern Classics (50th Anniversary)... Read House Made of Dawn Summary


Publication year 2024Genre Novel, FictionThemes Emotions/Behavior: Courage, Emotions/Behavior: Determination / Perseverance, Emotions/Behavior: Forgiveness, Emotions/Behavior: Guilt, Emotions/Behavior: Hate & Anger, Emotions/Behavior: Love, Identity: Race, Life/Time: Coming of Age, Natural World: Environment, Natural World: Place, Relationships: Teams, Society: Colonialism, Society: War, Values/Ideas: Equality, Values/Ideas: Good & Evil, Values/Ideas: Loyalty & Betrayal, Values/Ideas: Safety & DangerTags Fantasy, Romance, Action / Adventure, Fairy Tale / Folklore

Publication year 2022Genre Book, NonfictionThemes Society: War, Emotions/Behavior: Conflict, Values/Ideas: Order & Chaos, Values/Ideas: Trust & Doubt, Society: Nation, Society: Politics & Government, Society: CommunityTags Politics / Government, History: World, Military / War, Social Science, Sociology

Publication year 1973Genre Essay Collection, NonfictionThemes Society: WarTags Military / War, Vietnam War, History: World, Biography

If I Die in a Combat Zone: Box Me Up and Ship Me Home is an autobiographical account of writer Tim O'Brien's tour of duty in the Vietnam War. Published in 1973, it was one of the first major autobiographical accounts of the Vietnam War and has been praised extensively for its unflinching look at the horrors of armed conflict. Many critics have called it among the greatest pieces of literature to come out of... Read If I Die in a Combat Zone Summary


Publication year 1947Genre Autobiography / Memoir, NonfictionThemes Emotions/Behavior: Grief, Values/Ideas: Justice & Injustice, Society: WarTags History: European, Incarceration, WWII / World War II, Holocaust, Italian Literature

If This Is a Man is a Holocaust memoir written by Primo Levi, first published by the small publishing house Francesco de Silva in 1947. The text was out of print by 1952. In June 1958, however, the publisher Enaudi, which had previously rejected the manuscript, republished it with slight revisions, and translations began to appear. Re-publication secured Levi’s status as a canonical writer of the Holocaust.This study guide refers to the English translation of... Read If This Is a Man Summary


Publication year 2014Genre Novel, FictionThemes Values/Ideas: Justice & Injustice, Relationships: Friendship, Emotions/Behavior: Love, Society: WarTags Romance, Fantasy, Science-Fiction / Dystopian Fiction, Religion / Spirituality

Publication year 1967Genre Short Story, FictionThemes Society: War, Values/Ideas: Science & Technology, Values/Ideas: Religion & SpiritualityTags Science-Fiction / Dystopian Fiction, Horror / Thriller / Suspense Fiction, Fantasy, Classic Fiction

“I Have No Mouth, and I Must Scream” is one of Harlan Ellison’s most enduring and popular short stories. It explores themes of dystopia, religion, and technological progress, as well as the dangers of technology. Ellison is a multiple Hugo and Nebula award-winning author and screenwriter whose work often tackles the darker, grittier sides of speculative and science fiction. “I Have No Mouth, and I Must Scream,” a story about a cruel artificial intelligence torturing... Read I Have No Mouth, and I Must Scream Summary


Publication year 1864Genre Poem, FictionThemes Society: Community, Values/Ideas: Religion & Spirituality, Society: WarTags Lyric Poem, American Civil War

Publication year 1925Genre Short Story, FictionThemes Emotions/Behavior: Loneliness, Society: War, Identity: Masculinity, Emotions/Behavior: Courage, Emotions/Behavior: Love, Relationships: MarriageTags Historical Fiction, WWI / World War I, Education, Education, Military / War, American Literature, History: World, Classic Fiction

“In Another Country” is a short story by Ernest Hemingway first published in Scribner’s Magazine in 1927. Hemingway was one of the most celebrated writers of his time and was awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1954. His works include short stories and novels as well as journalism and non-fiction studies, such as Death in the Afternoon (1932), about bullfighting. This guide refers to the version of “In Another Country” reprinted in the 1938... Read In Another Country Summary


Publication year 1985Genre Novel, FictionThemes Life/Time: Coming of Age, Emotions/Behavior: Conflict, Relationships: Family, Society: WarTags Historical Fiction, Military / War, Mental Illness, Education, Education, American Literature, Southern Literature

In Country, published in 1985, is Bobbie Ann Mason's debut novel. The story takes place in Hopewell, Kentucky, in 1984, 10 years after the end of US involvement in Vietnam. Mason grew up on a dairy farm outside Mayfield, Kentucky, and is thus well-acquainted with the rural South and its people. The classic coming-of-age story follows protagonist Samantha Hughes (known as Sam) as she seeks to discover the truth about her father and his death... Read In Country Summary


Publication year 2015Genre Play, FictionThemes Emotions/Behavior: Courage, Emotions/Behavior: Determination / Perseverance, Emotions/Behavior: Fear, Emotions/Behavior: Hope, Emotions/Behavior: Love, Identity: Language, Identity: Race, Life/Time: Mortality & Death, Relationships: Teams, Society: Immigration, Society: War, Values/Ideas: Equality, Values/Ideas: LiteratureTags Play: Drama, Historical Fiction, LGBTQ, Jewish Literature, Gender / Feminism, Education, Education, History: World, Drama / Tragedy

Publication year 1941Genre Novel, FictionThemes Society: Colonialism, Society: Community, Society: WarTags Historical Fiction, Action / Adventure, Auto/Biographical Fiction, History: U.S., Colonial America, Children's Literature, Education, Education, History: World, Classic Fiction

Publication year 2002Genre Book, NonfictionThemes Identity: Gender, Society: War, Values/Ideas: Religion & Spirituality

In the Devil’s Snare: The Salem Witchcraft Crisis of 1692 by Mary Beth Norton is an examination of the infamous Salem witch trials. It analyzes the social, political, and religious factors that caused the crisis to reach unprecedented levels. Norton argues that the English colonists’ war with the Wabanaki confederacy on the Maine frontier was the catalyst that created the conditions for the crisis. Norton, Professor Emeritus of American History at Cornell University, has written... Read In the Devil's Snare Summary


Publication year 2023Genre Novel, FictionThemes Society: War, Emotions/Behavior: Grief, Emotions/Behavior: LoveTags Modern Classic Fiction, Romance, Horror / Thriller / Suspense Fiction, Military / War, Mental Illness, Trauma / Abuse / Violence

Publication year 1983Genre Short Story, FictionThemes Values/Ideas: Loyalty & Betrayal, Values/Ideas: Truth & Lies, Society: WarTags Historical Fiction, Coming of Age / Bildungsroman, History: African

“In the Shadow of War,” a fictional short story by Nigerian author Ben Okri, was first published in the London magazine West Africa in 1983. Five years later, Okri included a revised version in his collection Stars of the New Curfew, which has been out of print since 2004. This anthology marked a point in Okri’s career during which he began to incorporate more magical and fantastical elements into his otherwise realist writing. Okri was... Read In the Shadow of War Summary


Publication year 1974Genre Biography, NonfictionThemes Emotions/Behavior: Guilt, Values/Ideas: Good & Evil, Values/Ideas: Justice & Injustice, Society: WarTags WWII / World War II, Holocaust, Crime / Legal, Military / War, History: World, Psychology, Psychology, Biography

Publication year 410Genre Play, FictionThemes Relationships: Family, Values/Ideas: Loyalty & Betrayal, Society: Community, Society: WarTags Drama / Tragedy, Military / War, Mythology, Classical Period, Fantasy, Classic Fiction

Publication year 1946Genre Essay / Speech, NonfictionThemes Society: War, Values/Ideas: Power & Greed, Society: Politics & GovernmentTags Politics / Government, Military / War, History: European

Publication year 1988Genre Poem, FictionThemes Identity: Gender, Society: War, Society: Politics & Government, Emotions/Behavior: Conflict, Emotions/Behavior: Determination / PerseveranceTags Lyric Poem, Gender / Feminism, African American Literature

Publication year 2017Genre Novel, FictionThemes Emotions/Behavior: Courage, Life/Time: Coming of Age, Relationships: Family, Society: Colonialism, Society: WarTags Historical Fiction, Children's Literature, Military / War, History: World, American Revolution, Action / Adventure

Publication year 2014Genre Novel, FictionThemes Society: WarTags Historical Fiction, WWII / World War II, Holocaust, Action / Adventure

Publication year 2016Genre Novel, FictionThemes Society: Immigration, Life/Time: Coming of Age, Relationships: Friendship, Society: War, Relationships: FamilyTags Historical Fiction, Humor, Children's Literature, Realistic Fiction, History: World

Publication year 1819Genre Novel, FictionThemes Emotions/Behavior: Courage, Emotions/Behavior: Love, Society: Nation, Society: WarTags Historical Fiction, Romanticism / Romantic Period, British Literature, Classic Fiction, Action / Adventure, Medieval Literature / Middle Ages, History: World, Romance

Ivanhoe is a historical fiction novel by Walter Scott, first published in 1819. The novel or “romance” is a fanciful account of English life in the 12th century, during the time of King Richard I (Richard “Coeur de Lion”). The protagonist of the story is Wilfred of Ivanhoe, a knight returning home from fighting in the Third Crusade. His journey weaves together historical events, religious conflict, and Medieval folklore and explores themes of Chivalry as... Read Ivanhoe Summary


Publication year 1877Genre Essay / Speech, NonfictionThemes Values/Ideas: Win & Lose, Society: War, Identity: Indigenous, Values/Ideas: Justice & InjusticeTags History: U.S., Military / War

Publication year 1994Genre Poem, FictionThemes Emotions/Behavior: Memory, Society: War, Relationships: Fathers, Emotions/Behavior: ForgivenessTags Lyric Poem

Publication year 1994Genre Novel, FictionThemes Emotions/Behavior: Determination / Perseverance, Emotions/Behavior: Hope, Emotions/Behavior: Loneliness, Identity: Masculinity, Identity: Race, Relationships: Family, Relationships: Friendship, Society: Community, Society: War, Values/Ideas: Art, Life/Time: Coming of Age, Self Discovery, Society: ClassTags Realistic Fiction, Arts / Culture, Historical Fiction, Coming of Age / Bildungsroman, Agriculture, Class, History: U.S., Poverty, Race / Racism, Social Justice, Vietnam War

Publication year 1939Genre Novel, FictionThemes Identity: Disability, Society: War, Society: ClassTags Historical Fiction, Horror / Thriller / Suspense Fiction, WWI / World War I, Military / War, History: World, Classic Fiction, Politics / Government

Publication year 1943Genre Novel, FictionThemes Values/Ideas: Safety & Danger, Values/Ideas: Loyalty & Betrayal, Values/Ideas: Justice & Injustice, Society: War, Society: Politics & Government, Self Discovery, Life/Time: Coming of Age, Emotions/Behavior: Conflict, Emotions/Behavior: CourageTags Historical Fiction, Children's Literature, Action / Adventure, American Revolution, Education, Education, Military / War, History: World, Classic Fiction

Originally published in 1943, Esther Forbes’s Johnny Tremain is a classic middle-grade historical fiction/adventure novel. After a prideful accident ends 14-year-old Johnny Tremain’s promising career as a silversmith, his search for a new trade leads to his direct involvement in the early events of the American Revolution. The novel won a Newbery Medal and explores themes of self-sacrifice, humility, and change. Citations in this study guide refer to the 2018 eBook edition released by Houghton... Read Johnny Tremain Summary


Publication year 1971Genre Novel, FictionThemes Emotions/Behavior: Determination / Perseverance, Identity: Race, Life/Time: Coming of Age, Relationships: Family, Society: Immigration, Society: Nation, Society: Politics & Government, Society: War, Values/Ideas: Justice & InjusticeTags Historical Fiction, WWII / World War II, History: U.S., Children's Literature, Education, Education, Military / War, History: World

Published in 1971 by Japanese American author and educator Yoshiko Uchida (1921-1992), Journey to Topaz is the first children’s novel to address the United States government’s forced relocation of people of Japanese descent to wartime prison camps during World War II. The novel follows the Sakane family’s life as they are forced to move from their comfortable home in Berkeley, California, to the Topaz War Relocation Center, a concentration camp, in the harsh Utah desert... Read Journey to Topaz Summary


Publication year 975Genre Poem, FictionThemes Society: War, Identity: Gender, Values/Ideas: Religion & SpiritualityTags Military / War, Religion / Spirituality, Inspirational, Gender / Feminism, History: World, Classic Fiction

Publication year 1981Genre Novel, FictionThemes Values/Ideas: Equality, Emotions/Behavior: Conflict, Emotions/Behavior: Fear, Emotions/Behavior: Guilt, Emotions/Behavior: Memory, Emotions/Behavior: Regret, Identity: Race, Relationships: Family, Relationships: Marriage, Society: Class, Society: Colonialism, Society: Community, Society: Nation, Society: Politics & Government, Society: War, Values/Ideas: Fate, Values/Ideas: Justice & Injustice, Values/Ideas: Loyalty & Betrayal, Values/Ideas: Order & Chaos, Values/Ideas: Power & Greed, Values/Ideas: Safety & Danger, Values/Ideas: Trust & Doubt, Values/Ideas: Truth & LiesTags Historical Fiction, Race / Racism, Military / War, African Literature

July’s People, a 1981 dystopian novel by South African author Nadine Gordimer, imagines the aftermath of a bloody uprising that topples South Africa’s notorious, white-ruled apartheid regime. Her novel, which follows a white family’s desperate flight from Johannesburg, traces the complex interdependencies of white and Black South Africans, revealing the insidiousness of the regime’s racial disparities and mindsets, even among liberal, well-meaning white people. Through the lens of this hypothetical future, Gordimer’s novel explores racial... Read July's People Summary


Publication year 1924Genre Play, FictionThemes Relationships: Family, Society: War, Life/Time: Mortality & DeathTags Play: Drama, Class, Irish Literature, Realism, Education, Education, History: World, Drama / Tragedy, Classic Fiction

Irish-born playwright Sean O’Casey’s Juno and the Paycock was first produced in 1924 at the Abbey Theatre, Ireland’s national theatre, in Dublin. This Realistic play is one of three plays (known as the “Dublin Trilogy”) that O’Casey wrote for the Abbey Theatre. Juno and the Paycock is anthologized in various collections, including Masters of Modern Drama by Haskell Block and Robert Shedd in 1962 (which this guide references).The play is set entirely in a two-room... Read Juno and the Paycock Summary


Publication year 1976Genre Book, NonfictionThemes Society: War, Values/Ideas: Justice & Injustice, Society: Politics & GovernmentTags Philosophy, Politics / Government, Military / War, History: World, Philosophy

Publication year 2022Genre Novel, FictionThemes Emotions/Behavior: Conflict, Identity: Gender, Identity: Sexuality, Relationships: Friendship, Relationships: Mothers, Self Discovery, Society: Community, Society: Nation, Society: War, Values/Ideas: Good & Evil, Values/Ideas: Justice & Injustice, Values/Ideas: Power & Greed, Values/Ideas: Religion & SpiritualityTags History: World, Fantasy, Historical Fiction, Mythology, LGBTQ, Indian Literature

Publication year 2023Genre Novel, FictionThemes Relationships: Family, Society: Immigration, Society: War, Values/Ideas: Religion & SpiritualityTags Jewish Literature, History: World, Historical Fiction, Religion / Spirituality

Publication year 2012Genre Book, NonfictionThemes Society: Politics & Government, Values/Ideas: Power & Greed, Values/Ideas: Loyalty & Betrayal, Society: War, Society: NationTags History: U.S., Politics / Government, Crime / Legal, Leadership/Organization/Management, Civil Rights / Jim Crow, Grief / Death, Vietnam War, History: World, Biography

Publication year 2014Genre Book, NonfictionThemes Society: War, Values/Ideas: Power & GreedTags Military / War, History: European, History: World, History: U.S., WWII / World War II, Biography

Killing Patton is a 2014 historical nonfiction work by American authors and journalists Bill O’Reilly and Martin Dugard. It explores the final months of World War II in Europe from an American perspective—specifically the role iconic General George S. Patton played in securing eventual Allied victory. The book also explores Patton’s death after a motor vehicle accident, floating the conspiracy theory that this death was no accident. Investigating the motives of Stalin, Eisenhower, and others... Read Killing Patton Summary


Publication year 2018Genre Novel, FictionThemes Emotions/Behavior: Determination / Perseverance, Emotions/Behavior: Hope, Emotions/Behavior: Love, Identity: Race, Life/Time: Coming of Age, Natural World: Flora/plants, Natural World: Place, Relationships: Teams, Society: Class, Society: War, Values/Ideas: Good & Evil, Values/Ideas: Loyalty & Betrayal, Values/Ideas: Safety & DangerTags Fantasy, Romance, Action / Adventure

Publication year 2005Genre Book, NonfictionThemes Society: Community, Society: Immigration, Society: Nation, Society: Politics & Government, Society: War, Emotions/Behavior: Determination / Perseverance, Society: ColonialismTags Creative Nonfiction, American Revolution, Children's Literature, Education, Education, History: U.S., Military / War, History: World

Publication year 2020Genre Novel, FictionThemes Relationships: Marriage, Society: Politics & Government, Identity: Gender, Society: War, Values/Ideas: EqualityTags Historical Fiction, WWI / World War I, WWII / World War II, British Literature, Military / War

Publication year 2008Genre Novel, FictionThemes Emotions/Behavior: Conflict, Emotions/Behavior: Courage, Emotions/Behavior: Determination / Perseverance, Emotions/Behavior: Forgiveness, Emotions/Behavior: Grief, Emotions/Behavior: Hate & Anger, Emotions/Behavior: Love, Emotions/Behavior: Memory, Emotions/Behavior: Regret, Emotions/Behavior: Shame & Pride, Identity: Femininity, Identity: Masculinity, Identity: Sexuality, Life/Time: Childhood & Youth, Life/Time: Coming of Age, Life/Time: Mortality & Death, Natural World: Animals, Natural World: Appearance & Reality, Natural World: Place, Relationships: Daughters & Sons, Relationships: Family, Relationships: Fathers, Relationships: Marriage, Relationships: Mothers, Relationships: Siblings, Self Discovery, Society: Community, Society: War, Values/Ideas: Fate, Values/Ideas: Good & Evil, Values/Ideas: Justice & Injustice, Values/Ideas: Literature, Values/Ideas: Loyalty & Betrayal, Values/Ideas: Order & Chaos, Values/Ideas: Religion & Spirituality, Values/Ideas: Trust & DoubtTags Historical Fiction, Fantasy, Mythology, Military / War, Italian Literature, History: World, Classic Fiction

Publication year 1987Genre Book, NonfictionThemes Values/Ideas: Win & Lose, Emotions/Behavior: Determination / Perseverance, Relationships: Teams, Society: Nation, Society: War, Society: Politics & GovernmentTags Business / Economics, History: World, Leadership/Organization/Management, Creative Nonfiction, Self Help, Military / War, Psychology, Psychology, Philosophy, Philosophy, Politics / Government

Leadership Secrets of Attila the Hun is a self-improvement and business leadership book by Wess Roberts, who was a human resources manager at Fireman’s Fund Insurance when he published the book in 1989. Using the historical figure of Attila the Hun as his mouthpiece, Roberts outlines his management style and approach to business. This guide refers to Attila’s “persona” when quoting words that Roberts imagines Attila might have said. In the introduction, Roberts discusses Attila... Read Leadership Secrets of Attila the Hun Summary


Publication year 2022Genre Book, NonfictionThemes Society: Nation, Society: Politics & Government, Society: WarTags Philosophy, Biography, Politics / Government, Leadership/Organization/Management, History: World, Business / Economics, Philosophy

Publication year 1924Genre Poem, FictionThemes Values/Ideas: Fate, Society: WarTags Lyric Poem, Mythology, Trauma / Abuse / Violence, Love / Sexuality

Publication year 1979Genre Short Story Collection, FictionThemes Society: War, Identity: MasculinityTags Historical Fiction, Western, Relationships, WWII / World War II, American Literature, History: World, Romance, Classic Fiction

Legends of the Fall is a collection of three novellas by Jim Harrison, including “Revenge,” “The Man Who Gave Up His Name,” and the titular novella, “Legends of the Fall.” First published in 1979 by Collins, Legends of the Fall remains one of Harrison’s most highly regarded works. Harrison wrote across a range of genres such as fiction, poetry, essay, and film and was the recipient of several awards including a Guggenheim Fellowship. His work... Read Legends of the Fall Summary


Publication year 2017Genre Novel, FictionThemes Relationships: Family, Relationships: Friendship, Emotions/Behavior: Courage, Emotions/Behavior: Determination / Perseverance, Emotions/Behavior: Gratitude, Emotions/Behavior: Grief, Emotions/Behavior: Love, Emotions/Behavior: Memory, Emotions/Behavior: Nostalgia, Identity: Mental Health, Life/Time: Coming of Age, Life/Time: Mortality & Death, Relationships: Grandparents, Relationships: Mothers, Relationships: Teams, Society: Community, Society: WarTags Historical Fiction, Mystery / Crime Fiction, Grief / Death, Children's Literature, Realistic Fiction, History: World

Publication year 1994Genre Book, NonfictionThemes Emotions/Behavior: Conflict, Emotions/Behavior: Courage, Emotions/Behavior: Determination / Perseverance, Emotions/Behavior: Forgiveness, Identity: Race, Life/Time: Mortality & Death, Society: Community, Society: War, Values/Ideas: Fate, Values/Ideas: Good & Evil, Values/Ideas: Justice & Injustice, Values/Ideas: Order & Chaos, Values/Ideas: Power & Greed, Values/Ideas: Religion & Spirituality, Values/Ideas: Safety & Danger, Values/Ideas: Truth & LiesTags WWII / World War II, Military / War, French Literature, History: World, Philosophy, Philosophy, Religion / Spirituality

Publication year 2009Genre Novel, FictionThemes Values/Ideas: Truth & Lies, Society: WarTags Science-Fiction / Dystopian Fiction, Fantasy, Historical Fiction, Action / Adventure, History: World

Publication year 2011Genre Novel, FictionThemes Natural World: Space & The Universe, Values/Ideas: Good & Evil, Values/Ideas: Justice & Injustice, Relationships: Family, Values/Ideas: Power & Greed, Society: War, Identity: Race, Values/Ideas: Science & TechnologyTags Science-Fiction / Dystopian Fiction, Fantasy, Horror / Thriller / Suspense Fiction, Mystery / Crime Fiction, Action / Adventure

Publication year 2013Genre Novel, FictionThemes Emotions/Behavior: Grief, Emotions/Behavior: Love, Relationships: Family, Society: WarTags Historical Fiction, Fantasy, WWII / World War II, Science-Fiction / Dystopian Fiction, Military / War, History: World

Life After Life is a work of adult historical fiction written by acclaimed British author Kate Atkinson and published in 2013. Atkinson’s debut novel, Behind the Scenes at the Museum, won the Whitbread Book of the Year prize and her subsequent novels have all been international bestsellers, including the mystery series featuring Jackson Brodie, which has been adapted to a BBC show. Other works by this author include Case Histories, A God in Ruins, and... Read Life After Life Summary


Publication year 1833Genre Autobiography / Memoir, NonfictionThemes Identity: Indigenous, Society: War, Society: ColonialismTags History: U.S., Military / War, History: World, Classic Fiction, Biography

Publication year 1989Genre Novel, FictionThemes Emotions/Behavior: Love, Identity: Femininity, Identity: Sexuality, Natural World: Food, Relationships: Family, Relationships: Mothers, Relationships: Daughters & Sons, Relationships: Siblings, Relationships: Marriage, Self Discovery, Society: WarTags Magical Realism, Latin American Literature, Historical Fiction, Romance, Food, Gender / Feminism, Love / Sexuality, Fantasy, Classic Fiction

Like Water for Chocolate is the debut novel of Laura Esquivel, published in Mexico in 1989 and then translated into English by Carol and Thomas Christensen. Esquivel has sold over four million copies of the novel worldwide. She is a novelist and active politician serving in the Mexican Chamber of Deputies. She collaborated with her husband at the time to adapt the novel into a film in 1992, which was then nominated for a Golden... Read Like Water for Chocolate Summary


Publication year 2017Genre Novel, FictionThemes Emotions/Behavior: Grief, Life/Time: Mortality & Death, Society: Community, Emotions/Behavior: Forgiveness, Emotions/Behavior: Memory, Emotions/Behavior: Guilt, Society: War, Relationships: Fathers, Natural World: Appearance & RealityTags Historical Fiction, Fantasy, Magical Realism, Grief / Death, American Civil War, Religion / Spirituality, History: U.S., Race / Racism, American Literature, History: World

The novel Lincoln in the Bardo by George Saunders, published by Random House in 2017, offers a portrait of an American legend in mourning, surrounded by a poignant but funny cast of 166 characters. It is Saunders’s debut novel, though he has been a notable author of short story collections for decades. The novel won the prestigious Man Booker Prize and was a New York Times best seller.Set in 1862, Lincoln in the Bardo is... Read Lincoln in the Bardo Summary


Publication year 1865Genre Essay / Speech, NonfictionThemes Society: Nation, Emotions/Behavior: Hope, Identity: Race, Life/Time: Mortality & Death, Society: Colonialism, Society: Politics & Government, Society: WarTags History: U.S., Politics / Government, Military / War, American Civil War, American Literature, History: World, Classic Fiction

Publication year 2022Genre Novel, FictionThemes Emotions/Behavior: Courage, Emotions/Behavior: Determination / Perseverance, Life/Time: Coming of Age, Relationships: Friendship, Society: War, Values/Ideas: Justice & InjusticeTags Historical Fiction, Action / Adventure, Military / War, WWI / World War I, Children's Literature, History: World

Publication year 2011Genre Autobiography / Memoir, NonfictionThemes Society: War, Emotions/Behavior: Guilt, Relationships: Family, Relationships: Friendship, Relationships: TeamsTags Travel Literature, Inspirational, Trauma / Abuse / Violence, Military / War, Love / Sexuality, Social Justice, Biography

Publication year 1990Genre Novel, FictionThemes Life/Time: Coming of Age, Society: Immigration, Identity: Femininity, Life/Time: Childhood & Youth, Relationships: Mothers, Society: Community, Society: War, Values/Ideas: Religion & SpiritualityTags Historical Fiction, Education, Education, Italian Literature, Modern Classic Fiction, Canadian Literature, Classic Fiction

Lives of the Saints (1990) by Nino Ricci is the first in a trilogy of novels about an Italian immigrant to Canada, Vittorio Innocente, and his family. The author, Nino Ricci, is the son of Italian immigrants who grew up in Leamington, Ontario, home to a large community of Italian immigrants. The novel is a coming-of-age story told in first-person narration that details Vittorio’s life growing up in an impoverished small town in Italy, and... Read Lives of the Saints Summary


Publication year 1997Genre Autobiography / Memoir, NonfictionThemes Natural World: Environment, Natural World: Animals, Natural World: Food, Natural World: Place, Society: Politics & Government, Society: Economics, Society: Education, Society: War, Society: NationTags Science / Nature, Health / Medicine, Politics / Government, Social Justice, Education, Education, Gender / Feminism

Publication year 1933Genre Novel, FictionThemes Society: Colonialism, Identity: Race, Society: Politics & Government, Society: War, Values/Ideas: Art, Values/Ideas: LiteratureTags Fantasy, Classic Fiction, Action / Adventure, Historical Fiction, Science-Fiction / Dystopian Fiction, Travel Literature

Lost Horizon by James Hilton is a utopian novel that introduces the fictional setting of Shangri-La, which would feature in several later utopian works of fiction by other writers. Originally published in 1933, the book was adapted for the screen in 1937 and 1973, as well as for television in 1997. The novel won the Hawthornden Prize, a cash prize awarded for imaginative fiction, and it became an international bestseller under Pocket Books, sometimes credited... Read Lost Horizon Summary


Publication year 1991Genre Play, FictionThemes Relationships: Family, Society: War, Life/Time: Coming of AgeTags Play: Drama, Education, Education, Jewish Literature, Drama / Tragedy, Humor, Classic Fiction

Lost in Yonkers is a play by American playwright Neil Simon that premiered in 1991. It centers around Jay Kurnitz, a teenage boy sent with his younger brother, Arty, to live with his grandmother in Yonkers. Many critics consider the play, which debuted to overwhelming critical acclaim, one of Simon’s best works. It explores themes of abbreviated childhood, war, and generational trauma. Lost in Yonkers won the Pulitzer Prize for Drama upon its release, and... Read Lost In Yonkers Summary


Publication year 2019Genre Novel, FictionThemes Relationships: Friendship, Emotions/Behavior: Courage, Relationships: Mothers, Society: Class, Society: WarTags Historical Fiction, Auto/Biographical Fiction, Poverty, WWI / World War I, Russian Literature, WWII / World War II, Military / War, History: World

Publication year 2019Genre Novel, FictionThemes Emotions/Behavior: Love, Identity: Race, Identity: Mental Health, Society: War, Values/Ideas: Beauty, Values/Ideas: MusicTags Historical Fiction, Romance, Mythology, Civil Rights / Jim Crow, Grief / Death, History: World, Love / Sexuality, Military / War, Music, Race / Racism, Trauma / Abuse / Violence, WWI / World War I, WWII / World War II, Fantasy

Genre Play, FictionThemes Society: Politics & Government, Society: War, Identity: FemininityTags Classic Fiction, Ancient Greece, Play: Comedy / Satire, Gender / Feminism, Politics / Government, Military / War, Education, Education, Drama / Tragedy, Humor

Lysistrata (411 BCE) was written by the best-known Greek comic poet, the Athenian playwright Aristophanes. We know little of Aristophanes’ life outside of his work. His birth and death cannot be firmly dated, but he was believed to have been born around 460 BCE and died sometime in the mid-380s BCE. His active period, though, is more certain— around 425 to 388 BCE—making him a contemporary of other fifth-century Athenian luminaries like Socrates, Euripides, and... Read Lysistrata Summary


Publication year 2003Genre Novel, FictionThemes Emotions/Behavior: Grief, Emotions/Behavior: Guilt, Society: War, Emotions/Behavior: Memory, Society: ClassTags Mystery / Crime Fiction, Horror / Thriller / Suspense Fiction, History: World, Historical Fiction, British Literature

Maisie Dobbs is the first installment in Jacqueline Winspear’s historical mysteries featuring the eponymous private detective. Winspear was born and grew up in England with a grandfather who was a World War I veteran. His experiences inform some of the background of Maisie Dobbs. Several installments of the series have been New York Times bestsellers or finalists for Agatha or Macavity Awards, which signal achievements in the mystery genre. This guide refers to the Kindle... Read Maisie Dobbs Summary


Publication year 2006Genre Biography, NonfictionThemes Society: Nation, Society: Politics & Government, Society: WarTags Crime / Legal, History: U.S., Politics / Government, Military / War, Mystery / Crime Fiction, History: World, Biography

Manhunt: The Twelve-Day Chase for Lincoln’s Killer (2006) by James L. Swanson is a popular true-crime historical thriller about the assassination of President Abraham Lincoln on April 14, 1865 and the search for the assassin John Wilkes Booth. James Swanson has written several books about Abraham Lincoln and other events in American history including the assassination of President John F. Kennedy. The book won the Edgar Award, a literary award for fiction and non-fiction works... Read Manhunt Summary


Publication year 1924Genre Book, NonfictionThemes Values/Ideas: Art, Values/Ideas: Literature, Values/Ideas: Beauty, Society: War, Values/Ideas: Power & GreedTags Philosophy, French Literature, Philosophy, Arts / Culture, Classic Fiction

Publication year 1969Genre Novel, FictionThemes Relationships: Friendship, Society: War, Natural World: Place, Values/Ideas: Music, Values/Ideas: Loyalty & BetrayalTags Historical Fiction, History: World, Classic Fiction, Action / Adventure, Military / War

Master and Commander is a historical novel by the English writer Patrick O’Brian. It was first published in 1969, although it is set in 1800. O’Brian’s work is meticulously researched, drawing upon documents from the time period such as naval logs, official letters, and memories of sailors who fought in the Napoleonic Wars. Many of the naval battles described in the novel are based on real events, particularly Lord Thomas Cochrane’s victory over the superior... Read Master and Commander Summary


Publication year 2022Genre Novel, FictionThemes Society: War, Society: Immigration, Emotions/Behavior: Determination / Perseverance, Identity: Race, Relationships: Family, Society: Politics & GovernmentTags Historical Fiction, WWII / World War II, Military / War, Italian Literature, History: World

Publication year 1947Genre Novel, FictionThemes Natural World: Place, Society: War, Society: Class, Emotions/Behavior: LoveTags African Literature, Heinemann African Writers, Historical Fiction, Education, Education, History: World, Classic Fiction

Midaq Alley (1947) is a historical realist novel by Egyptian writer Naguib Mahfouz, the 1988 Nobel Prize laureate in Literature. In this work, Mahfouz addresses the changes taking place in Egyptian society of the 1940s. The book tells the story of a group of neighbors living in Midaq Alley, a bustling market street, in the poor quarter of Cairo’s historic city center. The story is set at the end of World War II, during Britain’s... Read Midaq Alley Summary


Publication year 2011Genre Book, NonfictionThemes Life/Time: The Future, Society: Nation, Society: War, Values/Ideas: EqualityTags History: U.S., American Civil War, Military / War, History: World, Politics / Government, Biography

Publication year 2010Genre Novel, FictionThemes Society: War, Emotions/Behavior: Love, Emotions/Behavior: Conflict, Emotions/Behavior: Guilt, Emotions/Behavior: Revenge, Values/Ideas: Truth & Lies, Values/Ideas: Power & GreedTags Science-Fiction / Dystopian Fiction, Action / Adventure, Fantasy, Romance

Mockingjay, published in 2010 by Scholastic, is the third novel in Suzanne Collins’s bestselling Hunger Games series. The series follows the life of Katniss Everdeen, an adolescent girl living in the futuristic dystopia of Panem. Mockingjay focuses on the civil war between the 13 districts of Panem and the oppressive government of the Capitol. Through Katniss’s experiences in the war, Collins explores cycles of oppression, the meaning of love in wartime, and the power of... Read Mockingjay Summary


Publication year 2010Genre Novel, FictionThemes Emotions/Behavior: Conflict, Emotions/Behavior: Courage, Emotions/Behavior: Determination / Perseverance, Emotions/Behavior: Fear, Emotions/Behavior: Guilt, Emotions/Behavior: Hope, Emotions/Behavior: Loneliness, Emotions/Behavior: Regret, Emotions/Behavior: Nostalgia, Emotions/Behavior: Memory, Emotions/Behavior: Shame & Pride, Life/Time: Childhood & Youth, Life/Time: Coming of Age, Life/Time: The Past, Life/Time: Mortality & Death, Natural World: Appearance & Reality, Natural World: Place, Relationships: Daughters & Sons, Relationships: Fathers, Relationships: Family, Relationships: Friendship, Society: Community, Society: Class, Society: Economics, Society: Immigration, Society: Education, Society: War, Society: Politics & Government, Society: Nation, Values/Ideas: Equality, Values/Ideas: Good & Evil, Values/Ideas: Justice & Injustice, Values/Ideas: Literature, Values/Ideas: Safety & Danger, Values/Ideas: Truth & Lies, Values/Ideas: Power & Greed, Values/Ideas: Trust & DoubtTags Historical Fiction, Children's Literature, Mystery / Crime Fiction, Coming of Age / Bildungsroman, Realistic Fiction, History: World

Moon Over Manifest is a 2010 novel by author Claire Vanderpool. It relates the story of 12-year-old Abilene Tucker, a drifting girl in search of her father, a home, and a sense of belonging. When the novel starts, her father, Gideon Tucker, has just sent Abilene to the Kansas town of Manifest, claiming that he can’t take her to Iowa, where he is allegedly taking a railroad job. It is 1936, and the Great Depression... Read Moon Over Manifest Summary


Publication year 2006Genre Novel, FictionThemes Emotions/Behavior: Love, Relationships: Family, Society: War, Values/Ideas: Religion & Spirituality, Society: Nation, Society: Community, Society: Colonialism, Emotions/Behavior: GriefTags Historical Fiction, Middle Eastern Literature, Military / War, Modern Classic Fiction, History: World, Politics / Government

Mornings in Jenin is a historical novel that spans the years between 1941 and 2003 and is focused on the Israeli invasion and occupation of Palestine. The author, Susan Abulhawa, is the child of Palestinian refugees and was brought up in several countries, including the United States. She writes the novel from the points of view of several members of a Palestinian family who lose their land, home, and loved ones. The novel relates the... Read Mornings in Jenin Summary


Publication year 2019Genre Poem, FictionThemes Emotions/Behavior: Memory, Society: WarTags Social Justice, Lyric Poem

Publication year 2001Genre Novel, FictionThemes Emotions/Behavior: Forgiveness, Emotions/Behavior: Memory, Emotions/Behavior: Conflict, Emotions/Behavior: Courage, Emotions/Behavior: Determination / Perseverance, Emotions/Behavior: Fear, Emotions/Behavior: Love, Emotions/Behavior: Revenge, Society: Class, Society: Colonialism, Society: Community, Society: War, Values/Ideas: Good & Evil, Values/Ideas: Justice & Injustice, Values/Ideas: Fate, Values/Ideas: Power & Greed, Values/Ideas: Truth & LiesTags Science-Fiction / Dystopian Fiction, Fantasy, Action / Adventure, Technology, Class

Publication year 2015Genre Book, NonfictionThemes Self Discovery, Society: War, Values/Ideas: Justice & InjusticeTags History: U.S., Military / War, Politics / Government, Vietnam War, Children's Literature, History: World, Biography

Publication year 1939Genre Play, FictionThemes Society: War, Relationships: Mothers, Values/Ideas: Power & GreedTags Play: Drama, German Literature, Education, Education, History: World, Drama / Tragedy, Classic Fiction

Mother Courage and Her Children (1939) is a play by German author Bertolt Brecht (1898-1980). It tells the story of Anna Fierling, nicknamed Mother Courage, a peddler who travels across Europe during the Thirty Years’ War. It is a drama that questions the justification of warfare, revealing the hypocrisy of a war fought on religious grounds. As the war unfolds, Mother Courage struggles to keep her business afloat and her three children safe. The play... Read Mother Courage and Her Children Summary


Publication year 1961Genre Novel, FictionThemes Emotions/Behavior: Regret, Emotions/Behavior: Guilt, Society: War, Values/Ideas: Good & Evil, Values/Ideas: Truth & LiesTags Science-Fiction / Dystopian Fiction, Humor, American Literature, Classic Fiction, Historical Fiction, Satire, Military / War, WWII / World War II, Post Modernism

Mother Night, by Kurt Vonnegut, is a World War II novel first published in 1961. Vonnegut’s third novel, it garnered little recognition when it was first released, and it wasn’t until Vonnegut’s success with Cat’s Cradle in 1963 and his breakout fifth novel, Slaughterhouse-Five (1969), that Mother Night was revaluated as a powerful work of moral exploration by an author who would go on to become America’s leading satirist and who is now recognized as... Read Mother Night Summary


Publication year 1939Genre Poem, FictionThemes Society: War, Values/Ideas: ArtTags Lyric Poem, Education, Education, Classic Fiction

Publication year 1974Genre Novel, FictionThemes Relationships: Family, Society: War, Values/Ideas: Loyalty & BetrayalTags Historical Fiction, American Revolution, Military / War, Children's Literature, Education, Education, History: World, Classic Fiction

My Brother Sam Is Dead tells the story of the Tim Meeker and his family during the years of the American Revolutionary War. Published in 1974, the novel won many awards, including a Newbery Honor, an American Library Association Notable Children’s Book designation, and National Book Award nomination. James Lincoln Collier and Christopher Collier, the authors, are brothers who together wrote a series of historical novels for young adults. James, a journalist, wrote most of... Read My Brother Sam Is Dead Summary


Publication year 1951Genre Short Story, FictionThemes Emotions/Behavior: Love, Society: War, Emotions/Behavior: Hate & AngerTags Romance, Allegory / Fable / Parable, Latin American Literature, Surrealism

“My Life with the Wave” is a surrealist prose poem written by Mexican poet and author Octavio Paz, first published in 1951 as part of Paz’s collection ¿Águila o sol?. The English translation (Eagle or Sun?) by Eliot Weinberger was published in 1976. Paz’s poetry, essays, and prose frequently underscore Mexican identity, culture, and politics, especially during his time as a Mexican diplomat and ambassador. His travels exposed him to surrealism and existentialism, which had... Read My Life With the Wave Summary


Publication year 2016Genre Book, NonfictionThemes Identity: Indigenous, Identity: Race, Life/Time: Mortality & Death, Natural World: Appearance & Reality, Natural World: Environment, Natural World: Place, Society: Class, Society: Colonialism, Society: Community, Society: Economics, Society: Globalization, Society: Nation, Society: Politics & Government, Society: War, Values/Ideas: Equality, Values/Ideas: Good & Evil, Values/Ideas: Justice & Injustice, Values/Ideas: Order & Chaos, Values/Ideas: Power & Greed, Values/Ideas: Religion & Spirituality, Values/Ideas: Science & Technology, Values/Ideas: Truth & LiesTags Philosophy, Social Science, Politics / Government, Sociology

Publication year 2021Genre Novel, FictionThemes Values/Ideas: Science & Technology, Values/Ideas: Safety & Danger, Society: WarTags Horror / Thriller / Suspense Fiction, Historical Fiction, Mystery / Crime Fiction, Military / War, Politics / Government, Modern Classic Fiction

Publication year 2012Genre Novel, FictionThemes Society: War, Emotions/Behavior: GriefTags Military / War, Realistic Fiction, History: World, Historical Fiction, Action / Adventure

The 2012 novel Never Fall Down is based on the true story of Arn Chorn-Pond, an eleven-year-old Cambodian boy who is taken from his town and becomes a child soldier for the Khmer Rouge, a radical Communist regime that ruled Cambodia from 1975-1979.Arn’s journey takes him from his hometown of Battambang, Cambodia, through four years of forced labor and fighting for the Khmer Rouge as a child soldier, to a refugee camp in Thailand, and... Read Never Fall Down Summary


Publication year 2023Genre Novel, FictionThemes Relationships: Family, Identity: Mental Health, Life/Time: The Past, Relationships: Mothers, Society: WarTags History: World, Mental Illness, Historical Fiction, Military / War, American Civil War

Publication year 1985Genre Poem, FictionThemes Life/Time: The Past, Natural World: Place, Identity: Language, Values/Ideas: Literature, Society: WarTags Lyric Poem, Irish Literature, History: European, Education, Education, History: World, Classic Fiction

Publication year 1916Genre Poem, FictionThemes Emotions/Behavior: Guilt, Emotions/Behavior: Love, Emotions/Behavior: Memory, Society: War, Values/Ideas: BeautyTags Mythology

Publication year 2024Genre Book, NonfictionThemes Values/Ideas: Science & Technology, Society: Politics & Government, Society: War, Values/Ideas: Order & Chaos, Values/Ideas: Safety & DangerTags Science-Fiction / Dystopian Fiction, Horror / Thriller / Suspense Fiction, Science / Nature, History: World, Politics / Government, Military / War

Publication year 2002Genre Novel, FictionThemes Relationships: Family, Life/Time: Mortality & Death, Relationships: Siblings, Life/Time: Coming of Age, Relationships: Daughters & Sons, Identity: Race, Values/Ideas: Equality, Values/Ideas: Justice & Injustice, Society: War, Relationships: FathersTags Historical Fiction, Children's Literature, Auto/Biographical Fiction, American Civil War, Race / Racism, History: U.S., Military / War, History: World

Publication year 1830Genre Poem, FictionThemes Society: Nation, Society: War, Life/Time: Mortality & DeathTags Military / War, History: U.S.

Publication year 1938Genre Short Story, FictionThemes Life/Time: Aging, Emotions/Behavior: Loneliness, Society: War, Life/Time: Mortality & Death, Emotions/Behavior: Conflict, Values/Ideas: Safety & DangerTags American Literature

Publication year 1967Genre Novel, FictionThemes Relationships: Siblings, Relationships: Family, Society: War, Values/Ideas: FateTags Magical Realism, Latin American Literature, Classic Fiction, Historical Fiction, Fantasy

One Hundred Years of Solitude, first published in Spanish in 1967 as Cien años de soledad, is an internationally renowned and classic work of literature by Colombian writer Gabriel García Márquez. The most highly regarded English version of the book is Gregory Rabassa’s translation, which was first published in 1970. This guide uses citations from the HarperPerennial Modern Classics Edition, which was released in 2006. García Márquez became the fourth Latin American winner of the... Read One Hundred Years of Solitude Summary


Publication year 1874Genre Book, NonfictionThemes Society: Community, Values/Ideas: Justice & Injustice, Values/Ideas: Order & Chaos, Society: War, Society: Politics & GovernmentTags Ancient Greece, Philosophy, Military / War, Social Justice, History: World, Politics / Government

Publication year 1995Genre Book, NonfictionThemes Society: War, Emotions/Behavior: Guilt, Identity: Masculinity, Identity: Mental Health, Emotions/Behavior: Hate & Anger, Society: CommunityTags Psychology, Military / War, Sociology, Trauma / Abuse / Violence, Science / Nature, History: World, Psychology, Philosophy, Philosophy, Politics / Government

Publication year 2023Genre Novel, FictionThemes Identity: Mental Health, Relationships: Mothers, Relationships: Daughters & Sons, Emotions/Behavior: Determination / Perseverance, Emotions/Behavior: Regret, Life/Time: Coming of Age, Society: Politics & Government, Society: War, Values/Ideas: Justice & Injustice, Relationships: FamilyTags Historical Fiction, WWII / World War II, Military / War, History: World, Mental Illness

Publication year 1963Genre Book, NonfictionThemes Society: War, Society: Politics & Government, Values/Ideas: Justice & InjusticeTags Philosophy, Politics / Government, History: World, American Revolution, Sociology, Philosophy, Classic Fiction

Publication year 1957Genre Novel, FictionThemes Society: War, Life/Time: Mortality & Death, Relationships: Family, Relationships: Friendship, Relationships: MarriageTags Science-Fiction / Dystopian Fiction, Military / War, Classic Fiction

Nevil Shute’s novel On the Beach was published in 1957. It tells the story of a group of people living in Melbourne, Australia, who face the end of the world after a nuclear war destroys the entire Northern Hemisphere. As they wait for the radioactive fallout to reach them, the characters must deal with the fact that their days on Earth are numbered. The story was initially published in four parts under the title The... Read On the Beach Summary


Publication year 2008Genre Novel, FictionThemes Emotions/Behavior: Conflict, Life/Time: Childhood & Youth, Life/Time: Coming of Age, Society: Politics & Government, Society: War, Values/Ideas: Fate, Values/Ideas: Good & Evil, Values/Ideas: Religion & Spirituality, Self Discovery, Emotions/Behavior: CourageTags Fantasy, Christian literature, Action / Adventure, Children's Literature, Religion / Spirituality

Publication year 1832Genre Book, NonfictionThemes Society: War, Society: Politics & Government, Emotions/Behavior: CourageTags History: World, Military / War, Philosophy, Politics / Government, Philosophy, Classic Fiction

Publication year 2000Genre Novel, FictionThemes Emotions/Behavior: Apathy, Emotions/Behavior: Conflict, Emotions/Behavior: Revenge, Life/Time: The Future, Society: Politics & Government, Society: War, Values/Ideas: Religion & Spirituality, Values/Ideas: Science & TechnologyTags Mystery / Crime Fiction, Horror / Thriller / Suspense Fiction

Origin, by mystery/thriller author Dan Brown, is the fifth novel in the Robert Langdon series. Published in 2017, the novel extends the style, content, and subject matter established in prior books in the series. Origin deals heavily with the conflict between science and religion, as well as conservatism and liberalism in modern Spain. The novel also explores the role of technology in the evolution of humanity and what technology lends to the future. Brown is... Read Origin Summary


Publication year 1532Genre Novel/Book in Verse, FictionThemes Emotions/Behavior: Love, Emotions/Behavior: Revenge, Identity: Gender, Society: War, Values/Ideas: Good & Evil, Values/Ideas: Fate, Values/Ideas: Loyalty & Betrayal, Values/Ideas: Power & Greed, Values/Ideas: Win & Lose, Values/Ideas: Religion & SpiritualityTags Narrative / Epic Poem, Gender / Feminism, History: European, Love / Sexuality, Military / War, Italian Literature, Renaissance, Mental Illness, Medieval Literature / Middle Ages, History: World, Fantasy, Classic Fiction

Publication year 2019Genre Book, NonfictionThemes Values/Ideas: Equality, Values/Ideas: Good & Evil, Values/Ideas: Justice & Injustice, Values/Ideas: Power & Greed, Values/Ideas: Win & Lose, Society: Community, Society: Politics & Government, Society: Nation, Society: War, Identity: Race, Society: Colonialism, Natural World: EnvironmentTags History: U.S., Politics / Government, Social Justice, Race / Racism, History: World

Publication year 1939Genre Novella, FictionThemes Life/Time: Mortality & Death, Values/Ideas: Justice & Injustice, Values/Ideas: Fate, Society: War, Society: NationTags Historical Fiction, Health / Medicine, History: U.S., American Literature, History: World, Classic Fiction

Pale Horse, Pale Rider is a novella written by Katherine Anne Porter. It was published in 1939, along with two other short novellas, Old Mortality and Noon Wine, under the collective title Pale Horse, Pale Rider. The story portrays two young lovers who are tragically affected by the 1918 influenza epidemic, or Spanish Flu.This guide uses an eBook version of the 2008 Library of America edition.Plot SummaryMiranda is a young female theater critic who lives... Read Pale Horse, Pale Rider Summary


Publication year 1879Genre Poem, FictionThemes Emotions/Behavior: Fear, Society: WarTags Lyric Poem, Victorian Period

Publication year 1994Genre Poem, FictionThemes Life/Time: Childhood & Youth, Emotions/Behavior: Love, Emotions/Behavior: Grief, Society: War, Emotions/Behavior: Memory, Relationships: FamilyTags Free verse

Publication year -1Genre Essay / Speech, NonfictionThemes Values/Ideas: Order & Chaos, Society: War, Values/Ideas: EqualityTags Philosophy, History: European, Ancient Greece, Military / War, Education, Education, Philosophy, History: World, Classical Period, Classic Fiction, Politics / Government

Publication year 100Genre Biography, NonfictionThemes Society: Community, Society: Nation, Society: Politics & Government, Society: War, Values/Ideas: Fame, Values/Ideas: Justice & Injustice, Values/Ideas: Power & GreedTags History: European, Ancient Greece, Ancient Rome, Classical Period

Publication year 2023Genre Novel, FictionThemes Emotions/Behavior: Courage, Society: Class, Society: War, Values/Ideas: Good & Evil, Values/Ideas: Loyalty & Betrayal, Values/Ideas: Win & LoseTags Fantasy, Romance, Science-Fiction / Dystopian Fiction

Publication year 2004Genre Book, NonfictionThemes Emotions/Behavior: Grief, Society: War, Society: Politics & GovernmentTags Philosophy, Politics / Government, Gender / Feminism, LGBTQ, Education, Education, Philosophy, Arts / Culture

Publication year 2014Genre Novel, FictionThemes Emotions/Behavior: Guilt, Emotions/Behavior: Hope, Emotions/Behavior: Love, Identity: Gender, Identity: Mental Health, Identity: Race, Society: Immigration, Society: Politics & Government, Society: WarTags History: U.S., Military / War, American Literature, Modern Classic Fiction

Atticus Lish’s novel Preparation for the Next Life tells the stories of Skinner, an Iraq war veteran with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and Zou Lei, an undocumented immigrant from Central Asia, and how their unlikely love changes them both forever. Preparation for the Next Life explores the challenges that undocumented immigrants and war veterans face in the United States as well as the complexities of cross-cultural relationships. The novel has been highly praised by critics... Read Preparation For The Next Life Summary


Publication year 2023Genre Novel, FictionThemes Society: War, Values/Ideas: Justice & Injustice, Relationships: Mothers, Values/Ideas: Power & GreedTags Irish Literature, Science-Fiction / Dystopian Fiction, Military / War, Modern Classic Fiction

Publication year 2013Genre Novel, FictionThemes Relationships: Family, Identity: Gender, Identity: Race, Life/Time: Childhood & Youth, Life/Time: Coming of Age, Relationships: Friendship, Society: Politics & Government, Society: War, Values/Ideas: Justice & Injustice, Self DiscoveryTags Historical Fiction, Realistic Fiction, Race / Racism, Children's Literature, History: World

Publication year 1813Genre Poem, FictionThemes Values/Ideas: Religion & Spirituality, Life/Time: Mortality & Death, Natural World: Place, Natural World: Environment, Life/Time: The Future, Society: Politics & Government, Values/Ideas: Power & Greed, Society: WarTags Narrative / Epic Poem, Christian literature, Poetry: Dramatic Poem, Mythology, Fantasy, Philosophy, Politics / Government, Military / War, History: World, Science / Nature, Religion / Spirituality, Grief / Death, Romanticism / Romantic Period, British Literature, Health / Medicine, Philosophy, Food, Classic Fiction

Publication year 2015Genre Novel, FictionThemes Emotions/Behavior: Conflict, Emotions/Behavior: Determination / Perseverance, Emotions/Behavior: Guilt, Emotions/Behavior: Love, Identity: Femininity, Identity: Race, Life/Time: Coming of Age, Natural World: Nurture v. Nature, Natural World: Place, Relationships: Teams, Self Discovery, Society: Colonialism, Society: War, Values/Ideas: Good & Evil, Values/Ideas: Loyalty & Betrayal, Values/Ideas: Power & GreedTags Fantasy, Romance, Action / Adventure, Fairy Tale / Folklore

Publication year 1942Genre Essay / Speech, NonfictionThemes Society: War, Society: Colonialism, Emotions/Behavior: Determination / Perseverance, Emotions/Behavior: Hope, Society: Community, Values/Ideas: Power & Greed, Emotions/Behavior: Courage, Values/Ideas: Justice & InjusticeTags Philosophy, Politics / Government, History: Asian, WWII / World War II

Publication year 2003Genre Autobiography / Memoir, NonfictionThemes Values/Ideas: Literature, Society: War, Self Discovery, Society: Politics & GovernmentTags Gender / Feminism, History: Middle Eastern, Politics / Government, Women's Studies (Nonfiction), History: World, Biography

Reading Lolita in Tehran: A Memoir in Books is a memoir by Iranian American author Azar Nafisi, first released to widespread critical and popular acclaim in 2003. The memoir recalls Nafisi’s experiences living and teaching in Iran after the 1979 revolution that created the Islamic Republic of Iran, until her eventual exile in the United States in 1997. At the center of the memoir is Nafisi’s account of a secret book club she hosted during... Read Reading Lolita in Tehran Summary


Publication year 2021Genre Novel, FictionThemes Emotions/Behavior: Grief, Life/Time: Mortality & Death, Relationships: Daughters & Sons, Relationships: Fathers, Society: Politics & Government, Society: War, Values/Ideas: Loyalty & BetrayalTags Fantasy, Action / Adventure

Publication year 2001Genre Novel, FictionThemes Life/Time: Coming of Age, Society: War, Relationships: FamilyTags Coming of Age / Bildungsroman, Children's Literature, Immigration / Refugee, Education, Education, Military / War, Modern Classic Fiction, Historical Fiction

Publication year 2021Genre Novel, FictionThemes Emotions/Behavior: Courage, Emotions/Behavior: Determination / Perseverance, Natural World: Appearance & Reality, Relationships: Fathers, Self Discovery, Society: War, Values/Ideas: Good & Evil, Values/Ideas: Safety & Danger, Values/Ideas: Trust & DoubtTags Historical Fiction, Action / Adventure, Military / War, WWII / World War II, Children's Literature, History: World, French Literature

Publication year 2018Genre Novel, FictionThemes Values/Ideas: Religion & Spirituality, Values/Ideas: Justice & Injustice, Society: WarTags Historical Fiction, WWII / World War II, Military / War, Children's Literature, History: World

Publication year 2020Genre Novel, FictionThemes Emotions/Behavior: Guilt, Emotions/Behavior: Memory, Identity: Mental Health, Natural World: Environment, Natural World: Place, Relationships: Teams, Society: War, Values/Ideas: Equality, Values/Ideas: Loyalty & Betrayal, Values/Ideas: Science & Technology, Values/Ideas: Win & LoseTags Fantasy, Action / Adventure, Science-Fiction / Dystopian Fiction, Narrative / Epic Poem

Publication year 1932Genre Novel, FictionThemes Society: WarTags Military / War, Classic Fiction, History: World, Historical Fiction, Action / Adventure

Rifleman Dodd, a 1932 historical novel by C.S. Forester, describes the adventures of an English soldier trapped behind enemy lines in 1810 during the Peninsular War, when Britain fights alongside Portugal and Spain against Napoleon’s invading French army. Rifleman Dodd employs guerrilla tactics to harass and kill French troops as he treks across a scorched and starving land to rejoin his regiment. The novel’s descriptions of battle tactics, improvisation under fire, and relentless determination make... Read Rifleman Dodd Summary


Publication year 1971Genre Book, NonfictionThemes Society: Politics & Government, Society: War, Identity: Race, Society: Globalization, Society: Economics, Values/Ideas: Order & Chaos, Society: NationTags Politics / Government, Business / Economics, History: U.S., American Literature, History: World

Publication year 2001Genre Novel, FictionThemes Emotions/Behavior: Conflict, Emotions/Behavior: Courage, Emotions/Behavior: Determination / Perseverance, Emotions/Behavior: Fear, Emotions/Behavior: Hate & Anger, Emotions/Behavior: Hope, Emotions/Behavior: Revenge, Identity: Mental Health, Life/Time: Mortality & Death, Life/Time: The Past, Natural World: Place, Relationships: Family, Relationships: Fathers, Relationships: Marriage, Relationships: Teams, Society: Class, Society: Colonialism, Society: Community, Society: Economics, Society: Globalization, Society: Politics & Government, Society: War, Values/Ideas: Equality, Values/Ideas: Power & GreedTags History: World, American Revolution, Historical Fiction, Military / War, History: U.S.

Publication year 2021Genre Graphic Memoir , NonfictionThemes Emotions/Behavior: Conflict, Emotions/Behavior: Determination / Perseverance, Identity: Race, Society: Nation, Society: Politics & Government, Society: War, Values/Ideas: EqualityTags Historical Fiction, History: U.S., Politics / Government, Social Justice, Civil Rights / Jim Crow

Publication year 2005Genre Novel, FictionThemes Emotions/Behavior: Determination / Perseverance, Emotions/Behavior: Loneliness, Life/Time: Coming of Age, Relationships: Fathers, Relationships: Friendship, Society: Class, Society: War, Values/Ideas: Truth & Lies

Publication year 2023Genre Novel, FictionThemes Emotions/Behavior: Love, Emotions/Behavior: Conflict, Values/Ideas: Loyalty & Betrayal, Society: War, Emotions/Behavior: Memory, Identity: Mental Health, Life/Time: The PastTags Fantasy, Romance, Historical Fiction, Trauma / Abuse / Violence

Publication year 1977Genre Novel, FictionThemes Emotions/Behavior: Grief, Life/Time: Mortality & Death, Society: War, Emotions/Behavior: Hope, Emotions/Behavior: Determination / Perseverance, Emotions/Behavior: Courage, Relationships: Family, Relationships: FriendshipTags Historical Fiction, Children's Literature, Drama / Tragedy, Grief / Death, Education, Education, History: World, Japanese Literature, Classic Fiction

Originally published in 1977, Sadako and the Thousand Paper Cranes is a middle-grade historical fiction novel written by Eleanor Coerr based on the true story of Sadako Sasaki, a young girl living in Hiroshima, Japan, when the atomic bomb was dropped in 1945. At age 12, Sadako is diagnosed with leukemia, often called “the atom bomb disease.” Inspired by a Japanese legend, Sadako sets out to fold 1,000 origami cranes, hoping she will be granted... Read Sadako and the Thousand Paper Cranes Summary


Publication year 2017Genre Novel, FictionThemes Emotions/Behavior: Memory, Relationships: Family, Society: Immigration, Society: WarTags Military / War, Modern Classic Fiction, History: World, Historical Fiction

Salt Houses is a 2017 novel by Palestinian-American author Hala Alyan. A multi-generational saga that begins in 1963 and concludes in 2014, the narrative traces the family’s experiences during key events of 20th- and 21st-century Palestinian history. The novel is polyvocal; multiple family members act as narrators. Although the novel provides an in-depth character study of the way that war, displacement, and diaspora impact each family member, it is also a portrait of the Palestinian... Read Salt Houses Summary


Publication year 1671Genre Play, FictionThemes Emotions/Behavior: Guilt, Emotions/Behavior: Conflict, Identity: Gender, Identity: Disability, Relationships: Marriage, Society: War, Values/Ideas: Trust & Doubt, Values/Ideas: Religion & Spirituality, Values/Ideas: Loyalty & BetrayalTags Poetry: Dramatic Poem, Narrative / Epic Poem, Drama / Tragedy, British Literature, Restoration, Religion / Spirituality, Trauma / Abuse / Violence, History: World, Historical Fiction, Classic Fiction

Famed 17th-century English poet and pamphleteer John Milton published Samson Agonistes (a Greek word that can mean “struggle”) in 1671. The work is a dramatic poem and a tragic drama—though Milton announces that it isn’t for the stage. Milton’s work is informed by one episode in a story from the Old Testament, in which the superhuman hero Samson is betrayed by his wife Dalila, loses his strength, and is imprisoned by his foes, the Philistines... Read Samson Agonistes Summary


Publication year 2005Genre Novel, FictionThemes Emotions/Behavior: Fear, Emotions/Behavior: Apathy, Relationships: Family, Society: Community, Values/Ideas: Art, Values/Ideas: Science & Technology, Values/Ideas: Order & Chaos, Life/Time: Mortality & Death, Society: WarTags Historical Fiction, British Literature, War On Terrorism / Iraq War, Modern Classic Fiction, History: World

Saturday is a novel by Ian McEwan, first published in 2005 by Jonathan Cape. Ian McEwan is an acclaimed British author who has been shortlisted for the Man Booker Prize numerous times, winning the award for Amsterdam in 1998. In Saturday, McEwan delves into the inner life of a single individual, Henry Perowne, a successful neurosurgeon living in London. The novel takes place over the course of a single day, February 15, 2003, against the... Read Saturday Summary


Publication year 1982Genre Novel, FictionThemes Values/Ideas: Good & Evil, Emotions/Behavior: Guilt, Values/Ideas: Justice & Injustice, Values/Ideas: Power & Greed, Values/Ideas: Safety & Danger, Emotions/Behavior: Determination / Perseverance, Emotions/Behavior: Courage, Emotions/Behavior: Hate & Anger, Identity: Race, Society: WarTags Historical Fiction, Holocaust, WWII / World War II, Auto/Biographical Fiction, Race / Racism, History: World, Immigration / Refugee, Incarceration, Military / War, Politics / Government, Social Justice, Sociology, Trauma / Abuse / Violence, Classic Fiction, Biography

Schindler’s List (originally titled Schindler’s Ark) is a 1982 historical novel by Australian author Thomas Keneally. It tells the story of Oskar Schindler, a member of the Nazi party who used his position as a German industrialist to save more than 1,200 people’s lives during the war. In protecting as many people as he could from the genocidal Nazi regime, Schindler risked being sent to a concentration camp himself. Keneally wrote the novel with the... Read Schindler's List Summary


Publication year 2018Genre Graphic Novel/Book, FictionThemes Society: War, Emotions/Behavior: Fear, Relationships: Fathers, Relationships: Daughters & Sons, Emotions/Behavior: Memory, Natural World: PlaceTags Historical Fiction, Narrative / Epic Poem, Immigration / Refugee

Publication year 2015Genre Novel, FictionThemes Relationships: Siblings, Emotions/Behavior: Conflict, Emotions/Behavior: Determination / Perseverance, Emotions/Behavior: Forgiveness, Identity: Mental Health, Life/Time: Childhood & Youth, Life/Time: Mortality & Death, Society: War, Values/Ideas: Safety & DangerTags Historical Fiction, WWII / World War II, British Literature, Military / War, History: World

Secrets of a Charmed Life is a historical fiction novel written by Susan Meissner and published by New American Library, a division of Penguin Random House, in 2015. The book follows two sisters in wartime England, Emmeline and Julia Downtree, who are separated from each other during the Blitz. The book also follows an interview between American Oxford student Kendra Van Zant and Blitz survivor and artist Isabel MacFarland. The novel explores the themes of... Read Secrets of a Charmed Life Summary


Publication year 467Genre Play, FictionThemes Society: War, Values/Ideas: Fate, Relationships: Family, Relationships: Siblings, Values/Ideas: Justice & Injustice, Emotions/Behavior: Hate & AngerTags Classic Fiction, Ancient Greece, Play: Tragedy, Classical Period, Drama / Tragedy, Fantasy

Seven Against Thebes is a tragedy composed by Aeschylus and performed for the first time at the City Dionysia festival in 467 BCE. It was the final play of a connected trilogy based on the myths of Oedipus and his family, but the first two plays—Laius and Oedipus—are now lost, as is the satyr play Sphinx that would have been performed following the trilogy. This set of plays won first prize the year it was... Read Seven Against Thebes Summary


Publication year 1989Genre Novel, FictionThemes Emotions/Behavior: Courage, Self Discovery, Relationships: Family, Emotions/Behavior: Shame & Pride, Emotions/Behavior: Hate & Anger, Society: War, Life/Time: Coming of AgeTags Historical Fiction, American Civil War, Coming of Age / Bildungsroman, Children's Literature, Education, Education, History: U.S., Military / War, History: World

Publication year 2004Genre Book, NonfictionThemes Natural World: Appearance & Reality, Natural World: Objects, Natural World: Place, Society: War, Values/Ideas: Fate, Values/Ideas: Good & Evil, Values/Ideas: Justice & Injustice, Values/Ideas: Safety & Danger, Values/Ideas: Science & Technology, Values/Ideas: Trust & Doubt, Values/Ideas: Truth & LiesTags History: World, WWII / World War II, Action / Adventure, Mystery / Crime Fiction, Military / War, Science / Nature, Biography

Shadow Divers: The True Story of Two Americans Who Risked Everything to Solve One of the Last Mysteries of World War II (2004) by Robert Kurson is a celebrated nonfiction adventure book. Kurson, an adventure journalist whose stories have been featured in Rolling Stone, Esquire, and The New York Times Magazine, is known for his immersive and entertaining style. His first book-length work, Shadow Divers was a New York Times Best Seller and won the... Read Shadow Divers Summary


Publication year 2003Genre Book, NonfictionThemes Society: Politics & Government, Society: Globalization, Society: War, Society: ColonialismTags History: African , Politics / Government, Military / War, Trauma / Abuse / Violence, History: World, Biography

Lt. General Roméo Dallaire is a Canadian officer who was assigned as the force commander in the United Nations Assistance Mission to Rwanda (UNAMIR), a UN peacekeeping mission to facilitate negotiations after the Rwandan Civil War. He wrote about his experiences witnessing the breakdown of the peace process and the Rwandan Genocide in Shake Hands With The Devil: The Failure of Humanity in Rwanda. Published in 2003, the book won the 2004 Governor General’s Award... Read Shake Hands with the Devil Summary


Publication year 2013Genre Novel, FictionThemes Emotions/Behavior: Determination / Perseverance, Values/Ideas: Power & Greed, Values/Ideas: Win & Lose, Values/Ideas: Safety & Danger, Values/Ideas: Religion & Spirituality, Values/Ideas: Good & Evil, Society: War, Self Discovery, Natural World: Animals, Emotions/Behavior: LonelinessTags Fantasy, Action / Adventure, Addiction / Substance Abuse, Leadership/Organization/Management, Love / Sexuality, Military / War, Politics / Government, Trauma / Abuse / Violence, Religion / Spirituality, Romance

Publication year 2018Genre Novel, FictionThemes Natural World: Space & The Universe, Emotions/Behavior: Courage, Emotions/Behavior: Shame & Pride, Life/Time: Coming of Age, Relationships: Family, Relationships: Teams, Society: Class, Society: Politics & Government, Society: WarTags Fantasy, Science-Fiction / Dystopian Fiction, Action / Adventure

Publication year 2011Genre Book, NonfictionThemes Natural World: Environment, Society: War, Values/Ideas: Justice & InjusticeTags Politics / Government, Climate Change, Education, Education, Science / Nature, Philosophy, Philosophy

Publication year 1994Genre Novel, FictionThemes Identity: Race, Society: War, Values/Ideas: EqualityTags Historical Fiction, Mystery / Crime Fiction, Race / Racism, History: World, Romance, Classic Fiction

David Guterson’s Snow Falling on Cedars (1994) explores the murder trial of Kabuo Miyamoto, a fictional Japanese American man accused of killing his white neighbor over a land dispute. The novel is set in the decade following World War II, and post-war racial tensions linger. Racism and discrimination toward Japanese Americans feature prominently, as the novel’s central community has a large Japanese American population. The novel delves into the complex relationships between the defendant, his... Read Snow Falling on Cedars Summary


Publication year 1942Genre Novel, FictionThemes Society: War, Society: Nation, Emotions/Behavior: CourageTags Historical Fiction, Children's Literature, Action / Adventure, WWII / World War II

Publication year 1998Genre Novella, FictionThemes Society: War, Emotions/Behavior: Fear, Life/Time: Coming of AgeTags Historical Fiction, American Civil War, Military / War, Mental Illness, Children's Literature, Education, Education, History: U.S., History: World

Gary Paulsen’s young adult novel Soldier’s Heart: Being the Story of the Enlistment and Due Service of the Boy Charley Goddard in the First Minnesota Volunteers highlights a young soldier’s experience in the Civil War. Many of the novel’s plot events are based on historical records, as is the novel’s main character Charley, who is based on the actual soldier Charley Goddard. However, Paulsen takes liberties within the story and notes that parts of the... Read Soldiers Heart Summary


Publication year 1925Genre Short Story, FictionThemes Emotions/Behavior: Loneliness, Society: War, Relationships: Family, Identity: MasculinityTags Historical Fiction, American Literature, Modernism, Military / War, Education, Education, Classic Fiction

“Soldier’s Home” is a short story first published in Ernest Hemingway’s 1925 debut collection In Our Time. The version discussed in this guide is from The Complete Short Stories of Ernest Hemingway: The Finca Vigia Edition (Scribner, 2003).The story’s protagonist is Harold Krebs, a young man who returns home to Oklahoma after serving in World War I. It is one of many works by Hemingway, a WWI survivor, to show the impacts of the war... Read Soldier's Home Summary


Publication year 2003Genre Novel, FictionThemes Emotions/Behavior: Courage, Emotions/Behavior: Determination / Perseverance, Emotions/Behavior: Guilt, Emotions/Behavior: Memory, Identity: Language, Identity: Race, Life/Time: Coming of Age, Life/Time: The Past, Relationships: Friendship, Society: War, Values/Ideas: Safety & DangerTags Historical Fiction, Action / Adventure, Military / War, WWII / World War II, Holocaust, Education, Education, History: World

Publication year 2009Genre Essay / Speech, NonfictionThemes Values/Ideas: Power & Greed, Society: War, Self Discovery, Emotions/Behavior: CourageTags Philosophy, Leadership/Organization/Management

“Solitude and Leadership” is a speech by William Deresiewicz delivered in October 2009 to the freshman class of the United States Military Academy at West Point. Deresiewicz is an author, essayist, and former professor of English at Yale University. The lecture was published in The American Scholar in spring 2010, and this guide refers to the version hosted on the periodical’s website.Deresiewicz opens by acknowledging the apparent contradiction in the title of his speech, given... Read Solitude and Leadership Summary


Publication year 2020Genre Biography, NonfictionThemes Emotions/Behavior: Hope, Society: Immigration, Society: War, Relationships: Family, Society: CommunityTags Immigration / Refugee, Social Justice, History: World

Publication year 2011Genre Autobiography / Memoir, NonfictionThemes Emotions/Behavior: Conflict, Relationships: Fathers, Society: Colonialism, Society: Politics & Government, Society: WarTags History: Middle Eastern, Politics / Government, Religion / Spirituality

Publication year 2004Genre Autobiography / Memoir, NonfictionThemes Society: WarTags Gulf War, Military / War

After his brother Lenny joins the Marine Corps, Williams dreams of following in his footsteps. When Lenny dies a few years later, Williams joins the Marine Reserves. For a year he serves as a “weekend warrior,” while attending college, until, in August of 1990, Saddam Hussein’s Iraqi Army invades Kuwait. Williams’s unit is activated in November and he is forced to leave college and go to war.Through training, deployment, and eventually combat, Williams journeys toward... Read Spare Parts Summary


Publication year 2021Genre Novel, FictionThemes Emotions/Behavior: Love, Society: War, Emotions/Behavior: Grief, Relationships: Family, Emotions/Behavior: Conflict, Emotions/Behavior: Courage, Emotions/Behavior: Guilt, Emotions/Behavior: Memory, Life/Time: Childhood & Youth, Society: Colonialism, Society: Globalization, Society: ImmigrationTags Historical Fiction, Survival Fiction, Modern Classic Fiction, History: World, Arts / Culture

Publication year 1998Genre Book, NonfictionThemes Emotions/Behavior: Conflict, Emotions/Behavior: Determination / Perseverance, Life/Time: The Past, Society: WarTags History: European, Military / War, WWII / World War II, Russian Literature, History: World

Publication year 1927Genre Novel, FictionThemes Emotions/Behavior: Loneliness, Identity: Masculinity, Identity: Mental Health, Life/Time: The Past, Self Discovery, Society: War, Values/Ideas: Art, Values/Ideas: Beauty, Values/Ideas: Literature, Values/Ideas: Music, Values/Ideas: Religion & SpiritualityTags Auto/Biographical Fiction, Philosophy, Existentialism, German Literature, History: World, Psychology, Psychology, Philosophy, Classic Fiction

Steppenwolf, originally published in German in 1927, then translated into English in 1929, is the eighth novel published by Swiss German novelist Hermann Hesse. The novel was commercially successful upon publication, and it remains a popular novel to the present day. However, Hesse remarked that whereas his intention was to find humor in life and resist despair, Steppenwolf has often been misunderstood as a glorification of suffering. Much of Hesse’s body of work addresses spiritual... Read Steppenwolf Summary


Publication year 1991Genre Novel, FictionThemes Values/Ideas: Good & Evil, Society: War, Relationships: FriendshipTags Historical Fiction, Bullying, History: World, Relationships, WWII / World War II, Children's Literature, Military / War, Realistic Fiction

Shy, 12-year-old Margaret and her high-spirited friend Elizabeth question their beliefs about WWII when they discover that the brother of their school nemesis is a deserter in Mary Downing Hahn’s middle grade historical fiction novel, Stepping on the Cracks (1991). The novel explores themes of moral ambiguity, war, friendship, and domestic abuse, drawing on Hahn’s childhood memories of growing up in College Park, Maryland. In a short biography at the end of the novel Hahn... Read Stepping on the Cracks Summary


Publication year 2021Genre Novel, FictionThemes Values/Ideas: Art, Emotions/Behavior: Love, Relationships: Friendship, Society: WarTags Historical Fiction, LGBTQ, Military / War, Italian Literature, History: World, Arts / Culture

Publication year 1973Genre Novel, FictionThemes Identity: Race, Society: War, Life/Time: Coming of Age, Values/Ideas: Good & EvilTags Historical Fiction, Romance, Coming of Age / Bildungsroman, WWII / World War II, Holocaust, Children's Literature, Military / War, History: World, Classic Fiction

Summer of My German Soldier (1973) is a young adult novel by American author Bette Greene. The book is heavily based on Greene’s own childhood in Arkansas and Tennessee during World War II and her experiences growing up Jewish in the conservative Christian South. A made-for-TV film adaptation starring Kristy McNichol was released in 1978. The sequel to the novel, Morning Is a Long Time Coming, was published in 1978. Summer of My German Soldier... Read Summer of My German Soldier Summary


Publication year 2008Genre Novel, FictionThemes Society: WarTags Military / War, Children's Literature, Realistic Fiction, History: World, Historical Fiction

Sunrise Over Fallujah is a Young Adult novel by award-winning author Walter Dean Myers. The novel details the experiences of an eighteen-year-old man from Harlem, Robin “Birdy” Perry, who enlists in the U.S. Army and is stationed in Iraq during the early stages of the Iraq War in 2003. The narrative delves into Birdy’s reasoning behind joining, his experiences while serving, and his post-deployment views on his initial reasons for joining and his previous speculations... Read Sunrise Over Fallujah Summary


Publication year 2007Genre Autobiography / Memoir, NonfictionThemes Life/Time: Coming of Age, Society: War, Identity: Gender, Life/Time: Childhood & Youth, Identity: Language, Values/Ideas: Literature, Relationships: FamilyTags History: Middle Eastern, Military / War, Education, Education, History: World, Arts / Culture, Biography

In her memoir, Tasting the Sky: A Palestinian Childhood (2007), Palestinian-American author and poet Ibtisam Barakat describes her early childhood in Palestine during the Six-Day War of 1967 and the life-changing effects that follow this pivotal event. Combining richly descriptive prose and free-verse poetry, Ibtisam shares often painful memories of childhood losses, from her home and sense of security to her childhood innocence. Writing from a child’s perspective, Ibtisam transcends politics to poignantly highlight how... Read Tasting the Sky Summary


Publication year 2013Genre Novel, FictionThemes Emotions/Behavior: Hope, Society: Community, Society: War, Values/Ideas: Truth & LiesTags Science-Fiction / Dystopian Fiction, Fantasy, Romance

The 5th Wave is the first young adult science fiction novel in Rick Yancey’s trilogy of the same name. The book was published in 2013 by G.P. Putnam’s Sons. It follows the story of Cassie Sullivan, a young woman left on her own after aliens attack the Earth in three waves. The first wave is an electromagnetic pulse that shuts down all electricity; the second wave causes natural disasters on the coasts of each continent... Read The 5th Wave Summary


Publication year 1969Genre Novel, FictionThemes Values/Ideas: Fate, Identity: Masculinity, Society: WarTags Mythology, Historical Fiction, Action / Adventure, History: European, Military / War, History: World, Education, Education, Fantasy, Classic Fiction

Publication year 2021Genre Book, NonfictionThemes Society: Politics & Government, Society: War, Values/Ideas: Truth & Lies, Values/Ideas: Win & LoseTags War On Terrorism / Iraq War, Military / War, History: U.S., History: Middle Eastern, Politics / Government, Journalism, History: World

Publication year 1776Genre Book, NonfictionThemes Society: Nation, Society: War, Values/Ideas: Good & EvilTags Politics / Government, History: U.S., American Revolution

Thomas Paine’s The American Crisis is a series of pamphlets published between 1776 to 1783 during the American Revolutionary War. Paine uses eloquent, emotional language to persuade the American people to support their states’ new union and contribute to the revolutionary cause. Paine idealizes Americans and their country’s origins to galvanize them to fight for independence, rather than submit themselves to the indignity of being British colonial subjects. Paine uses his platform to attack the... Read The American Crisis Summary


Genre Book, NonfictionThemes Society: War, Values/Ideas: Power & Greed, Relationships: TeamsTags History: World, Philosophy, Philosophy, Self Help, Classic Fiction, Military / War, Business / Economics, Politics / Government, History: Asian, Chinese Literature

The Art of War, written in China during the fifth century BCE by military expert Sun Tzu, has been favored reading among soldiers and strategists for two millennia. Its concise 13 chapters, studied to this day by world leaders and generals from Chinese revolutionary Mao Zedong to US Joint Chiefs Chairman Colin Powell, teach victory through studying the opponent, building impregnable defenses, confusing the enemy with diversions, and attacking forcefully its weak spots. The book... Read The Art of War Summary


Publication year 2023Genre Novel, FictionThemes Emotions/Behavior: Love, Self Discovery, Society: War, Values/Ideas: Loyalty & Betrayal, Values/Ideas: Trust & DoubtTags Fantasy, Romance

Publication year 2005Genre Novel, FictionThemes Society: WarTags Military / War, Modern Classic Fiction, French Literature, Historical Fiction, Classical Period, War On Terrorism / Iraq War

The Attack is a 2005 book written by Yasmina Khadra, translated in 2006 by John Cullen and published by Anchor Books. It describes the aftermath of a suicide bomb attack in Tel Aviv and a man’s struggle to accept his wife’s involvement in the attack. Plot SummaryThe Introduction of the novel describes an unnamed narrator (later revealed as Dr. Amin Jaafari) watching a religious figure get into a car in a busy crowd. An explosion rocks... Read The Attack Summary


Publication year 1933Genre Biography, NonfictionThemes Values/Ideas: Art, Emotions/Behavior: Love, Society: WarTags LGBTQ, Arts / Culture, French Literature, History: World, Classic Fiction, Biography

Publication year 1798Genre Poem, FictionThemes Values/Ideas: Win & Lose, Emotions/Behavior: Memory, Life/Time: Aging, Life/Time: Childhood & Youth, Life/Time: The Past, Natural World: Place, Relationships: Grandparents, Society: WarTags Narrative / Epic Poem, Military / War, History: European

“The Battle of Blenheim,” also known as “After Blenheim,” is a satirical, antiwar poem by English Romantic poet Robert Southey, written in 1798 and published in the Morning Post newspaper on August 9 of that year. The poem, which is in the form of a ballad, looks back at the Battle of Blenheim, which was fought around the Bavarian town of Blindheim, in southern Germany, on August 2, 1704, during the War of the Spanish... Read The Battle of Blenheim Summary


Publication year 1726Genre Poem, FictionThemes Society: War, Life/Time: Mortality & Death, Values/Ideas: Loyalty & Betrayal, Emotions/Behavior: Revenge, Identity: Masculinity, Emotions/Behavior: Conflict, Emotions/Behavior: Shame & Pride, Society: Nation, Emotions/Behavior: Determination / PerseveranceTags Narrative / Epic Poem, Military / War, History: European, Grief / Death, Trauma / Abuse / Violence, Medieval Literature / Middle Ages, British Literature, Education, Education, History: World, Classic Fiction

“The Battle of Maldon” is a heroic poem, also classified as an epic, dating from the 10th century. Originally written in Old English, the text details a violent battle between the Anglo-Saxon warriors and the raiding Vikings. The Anglo-Saxons are led by Earl Byrhtnoth, who held land in the Anglo-Saxon kingdom of Essex and fought for his ruler, King Æthelred the Unready. The poem depicts some of the central tenets of Anglo-Saxon culture, praising loyalty... Read The Battle of Maldon Summary


Publication year 1996Genre Novel, FictionThemes Identity: Mental Health, Values/Ideas: Safety & Danger, Society: Globalization, Society: Community, Life/Time: Mortality & Death, Society: War, Emotions/Behavior: ConflictTags Action / Adventure, Horror / Thriller / Suspense Fiction, Travel Literature, Mystery / Crime Fiction, Mental Illness, Military / War, Modern Classic Fiction, Classic Fiction

The Beach is an adventure fiction novel written by Alex Garland and originally published in 1996. Garland wrote the book during his time in the Philippines and was inspired by the landscape there, as well as historical events such as the Vietnam War. It was adapted into a successful major motion picture starring Leonardo DiCaprio and directed by Danny Boyle in 2000, and the novel was included on a BBC list of most-read novels in... Read The Beach Summary


Publication year 2019Genre Novel, FictionThemes Society: Immigration, Society: War, Emotions/Behavior: GriefTags Immigration / Refugee, Military / War, Modern Classic Fiction, History: World, Historical Fiction

Publication year 2017Genre Graphic Novel/Book, NonfictionThemes Relationships: Family, Life/Time: Birth, Society: War, Life/Time: Coming of AgeTags Coming of Age / Bildungsroman, History: Asian

The artist and writer Thi Bui published her autobiographical graphic memoir, The Best We Could Do, in 2017. Alternating her narrative between her present-day experiences as a new mother in New York City with her parents’ past growing up in and then escaping from Vietnam, Bui builds a complex web of intergenerational trauma and love. This is Bui’s first venture into comic book illustration. The artwork that accompanies her narrative is based on the black... Read The Best We Could Do Summary


Publication year 1827Genre Novel, FictionThemes Emotions/Behavior: Determination / Perseverance, Emotions/Behavior: Forgiveness, Emotions/Behavior: Grief, Emotions/Behavior: Hope, Emotions/Behavior: Love, Emotions/Behavior: Revenge, Emotions/Behavior: Shame & Pride, Life/Time: Coming of Age, Life/Time: Mortality & Death, Relationships: Marriage, Society: Class, Society: Community, Society: Politics & Government, Society: War, Values/Ideas: Justice & InjusticeTags Historical Fiction, Classic Fiction, Romance, Italian Literature, History: World

The Betrothed (I Promessi Sposi), published in 1827 and revised in 1842, is a historical novel by Italian author Alessandro Manzoni. The novel follows two young lovers, Renzo and Lucia, in 1600s Lombardy; their courtship is derailed by a jealous plot to prevent their marriage, ultimately leading them to the plague-stricken city of Milan, where they face many struggles. The Betrothed is heralded as one of the most important and widely read Italian novels. This... Read The Betrothed Summary


Publication year 1952Genre Short Story, FictionThemes Emotions/Behavior: Fear, Emotions/Behavior: Memory, Society: WarTags Horror / Thriller / Suspense Fiction, Animals, Cold War, Mystery / Crime Fiction, British Literature, Gothic Literature, Classic Fiction

Daphne du Maurier’s short story “The Birds” was first published in her 1952 collection, The Apple Tree: A Short Novel and Several Long Stories. It is a Gothic horror story about a man who must protect his family from the brutal and inexplicably organized attacks perpetrated by the birds. Du Maurier’s tale evokes the social isolation of individuals in 1950s England, the British civilians’ memories of helplessness during the Blitz, and the fear of destructive... Read The Birds Summary


Publication year 1992Genre Novel, FictionThemes Values/Ideas: Truth & Lies, Values/Ideas: Justice & Injustice, Values/Ideas: Loyalty & Betrayal, Society: War, Relationships: Teams, Identity: Mental HealthTags Mystery / Crime Fiction, Horror / Thriller / Suspense Fiction, Grief / Death, Trauma / Abuse / Violence, History: U.S., History: Asian, Military / War

The Black Echo (1992) is Michael Connelly’s first novel and the first book in the long-running series featuring Los Angeles police detective Harry Bosch. It won the 1993 Edgar Award for Best First Novel and is now a classic in the modern crime genre. Connelly, who worked as a crime reporter for the Los Angeles Times while starting his career as a novelist, has written over 37 novels, including 24 featuring Detective Bosch. His works... Read The Black Echo Summary


Publication year 2006Genre Novel, FictionThemes Society: Politics & Government, Society: War, Values/Ideas: Power & Greed, Emotions/Behavior: RegretTags Fantasy, Action / Adventure, Science-Fiction / Dystopian Fiction

Publication year 1666Genre Novel, FictionThemes Society: Politics & Government, Values/Ideas: Science & Technology, Emotions/Behavior: Determination / Perseverance, Identity: Femininity, Relationships: Friendship, Society: Nation, Society: War, Values/Ideas: Fame, Values/Ideas: Order & Chaos, Values/Ideas: EqualityTags Education, Education, British Literature, Philosophy, Classic Fiction, Science-Fiction / Dystopian Fiction, Fantasy, Philosophy, Gender / Feminism, History: European, Military / War, Politics / Government, Science / Nature, Age of Enlightenment, Restoration

Publication year 2021Genre Book, NonfictionThemes Values/Ideas: Science & Technology, Life/Time: Mortality & Death, Values/Ideas: Good & Evil, Values/Ideas: Win & Lose, Society: War, Emotions/Behavior: Conflict, Emotions/Behavior: Determination / PerseveranceTags WWII / World War II, Military / War, Technology, History: U.S., Technology, History: World

Publication year 2014Genre Novel, FictionThemes Values/Ideas: Good & Evil, Emotions/Behavior: Hope, Emotions/Behavior: Memory, Identity: Gender, Identity: Indigenous, Life/Time: Mortality & Death, Life/Time: The Future, Natural World: Appearance & Reality, Natural World: Climate, Society: Class, Society: War, Values/Ideas: Loyalty & Betrayal, Values/Ideas: Power & GreedTags Fantasy, Science-Fiction / Dystopian Fiction, Mystery / Crime Fiction, Modern Classic Fiction, Magical Realism

The Bone Clocks (2014) is a work of literary fantasy and the sixth novel by English author David Mitchell. It was longlisted for the 2014 Man Booker Prize, and also received the 2015 World Fantasy Award.Spanning nearly 60 years and featuring five different narrators, The Bone Clocks follows Holly Sykes, a young woman from Kent, England, who becomes embroiled in a secret war between two groups of immortal beings called the Horologists and the Anchorites... Read The Bone Clocks Summary


Publication year 2020Genre Novel, FictionThemes Society: War, Values/Ideas: Good & Evil, Values/Ideas: Loyalty & Betrayal, Values/Ideas: Safety & Danger, Values/Ideas: Trust & Doubt, Values/Ideas: Justice & Injustice, Values/Ideas: Truth & Lies, Emotions/Behavior: Guilt, Emotions/Behavior: Determination / Perseverance, Emotions/Behavior: ConflictTags Historical Fiction, WWII / World War II, Love / Sexuality, History: European, Holocaust, Military / War, History: World, Romance

Publication year 1830Genre Scripture, NonfictionThemes Values/Ideas: Religion & Spirituality, Society: Politics & Government, Society: War, Values/Ideas: Good & EvilTags Religion / Spirituality, Christian literature, History: World, Inspirational, Classic Fiction

The Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ is a sacred text in the Latter Day Saint tradition, commonly called Mormonism. It was first published in 1830 by Joseph Smith, Jr., an American religious leader from upstate New York. The book presents itself as a collection of ancient documents attributed to various authors, spanning several centuries of composition. These documents tell the story of an offshoot group of ancient Israelites who traveled by ship... Read The Book of Mormon Summary


Publication year 2006Genre Novel, FictionThemes Life/Time: Childhood & Youth, Life/Time: Coming of Age, Society: WarTags Historical Fiction, Coming of Age / Bildungsroman, Allegory / Fable / Parable, Children's Literature, History: European, History: World, WWII / World War II, Holocaust, Education, Education, Military / War

The Boy in the Striped Pajamas is a historical fiction novel published in 2006 by celebrated Irish author John Boyne, known both for his adult and young adult fiction. Set around the World War II concentration camp Auschwitz, the novel combines realism with parable. It portrays a young German boy, Bruno, whose father is commander of the camp, and his unusual and ultimately tragic friendship with a Jewish boy, Shmuel. The work sold over seven... Read The Boy in the Striped Pajamas Summary


Publication year 2008Genre Novel, FictionThemes Life/Time: Coming of Age, Society: War, Identity: Race, Values/Ideas: Power & Greed, Natural World: Appearance & Reality, Emotions/Behavior: Determination / PerseveranceTags Historical Fiction, WWII / World War II, Holocaust, Children's Literature, Military / War, History: World

The Boy Who Dared is a young adult novel, written by award-winning children’s author Susan Campbell Bartoletti and published in 2008. The Boy Who Dared is a historical fiction novel based on the real life of Helmuth Hübener, a German boy who defied the Nazis during WWII. Alternating between his last day on death row and his memories, Helmuth’s story depicts the danger of silence, the value of the individual, and the power of the... Read The Boy Who Dared Summary


Publication year 2000Genre Novel, FictionThemes Values/Ideas: Justice & Injustice, Society: War, Relationships: Family, Identity: GenderTags Children's Literature, Historical Fiction, Realistic Fiction, Gender / Feminism, Education, Education, Military / War, History: World

The Breadwinner, also known as Parvana, is a 2000 children’s novel by Canadian author and activist Deborah Ellis. It centers on an 11-year-old girl named Parvana who, due to her family’s circumstances, is forced to defy the Taliban and their repressive laws to become the breadwinner for her family. Exploring themes of human connection, maturation and bravery, and the repression of women, The Breadwinner was critically acclaimed upon its release and has had over 40... Read The Breadwinner Summary


Publication year 2020Genre Novel, FictionThemes Relationships: Family, Society: Nation, Society: Politics & Government, Society: War, Values/Ideas: Loyalty & Betrayal, Values/Ideas: Power & Greed, Values/Ideas: Trust & DoubtTags Fantasy, Romance, New Adult

Publication year 1959Genre Book, NonfictionThemes Society: War, Society: Colonialism, Values/Ideas: Power & GreedTags History: World, Anthropology, Grief / Death, Military / War, Colonialism / Postcolonialism, Latin American Literature, Education, Education, Anthropology

Publication year 2009Genre Novel, FictionThemes Relationships: Family, Emotions/Behavior: Conflict, Emotions/Behavior: Courage, Emotions/Behavior: Determination / Perseverance, Emotions/Behavior: Fear, Emotions/Behavior: Guilt, Emotions/Behavior: Hope, Emotions/Behavior: Loneliness, Emotions/Behavior: Memory, Relationships: Daughters & Sons, Relationships: Friendship, Relationships: Grandparents, Relationships: Fathers, Relationships: Mothers, Relationships: Teams, Identity: Disability, Identity: Indigenous, Identity: Gender, Identity: Race, Society: Immigration, Society: Class, Society: Community, Society: Education, Society: War, Society: Nation, Self Discovery, Society: Politics & Government, Natural World: Place, Values/Ideas: Equality, Values/Ideas: Fate, Values/Ideas: Loyalty & Betrayal, Values/Ideas: Safety & Danger, Values/Ideas: Win & Lose, Values/Ideas: Truth & Lies, Life/Time: Aging, Life/Time: Childhood & Youth, Life/Time: Coming of Age, Life/Time: The Past, Life/Time: Midlife, Life/Time: Mortality & DeathTags Historical Fiction, Children's Literature, Sports, Realistic Fiction, History: World

Publication year 2016Genre Novel, FictionThemes Emotions/Behavior: Determination / Perseverance, Emotions/Behavior: Loneliness, Emotions/Behavior: Love, Emotions/Behavior: Memory, Life/Time: Coming of Age, Life/Time: Mortality & Death, Natural World: Animals, Relationships: Friendship, Society: War, Values/Ideas: Loyalty & BetrayalTags Children's Literature, Education, Education, Animals, History: World, Historical Fiction, Action / Adventure

Publication year 1944Genre Play, FictionThemes Relationships: Mothers, Emotions/Behavior: Love, Society: War, Values/Ideas: Justice & InjusticeTags Play: Drama, Allegory / Fable / Parable, Modernism, German Literature, Education, Education, History: World, Drama / Tragedy, Classic Fiction

Bertolt Brecht’s celebrated play, The Caucasian Chalk Circle, was written in 1944. The story is structured as a play within a play and touches on themes of justice, motherhood, and moral choices in times of crisis. Brecht, a German playwright best known for his unique style of drama called “epic theater,” was based in the United States at the time, and the play was translated into English by his friend, Eric Bentley. It went on... Read The Caucasian Chalk Circle Summary


Publication year 1969Genre Novel, FictionThemes Identity: Race, Society: War, Life/Time: Coming of Age, Emotions/Behavior: Determination / PerseveranceTags Action / Adventure, Historical Fiction, Survival Fiction, Race / Racism, Children's Literature, Education, Education, Classic Fiction

The Cay is a 1969 middle grade novel by American author Theodore Taylor. The story follows an 11-year-old boy named Phillip who must survive on a small Caribbean island with an older Black man named Timothy. The novel is a survival story, but it is also about unlearning racism; Taylor dedicated the book to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. The Cay received several literary awards, including the Jane Addams Children’s Book Award in 1970, which... Read The Cay Summary


Publication year 1955Genre Novel, FictionThemes Life/Time: Coming of Age, Society: Community, Society: War, Emotions/Behavior: FearTags Science-Fiction / Dystopian Fiction, Fantasy, Allegory / Fable / Parable, Cold War, Post-War Era, Education, Education, Classic Fiction

The Chrysalids is a young-adult science fiction novel, written by John Wyndham and first published in 1955. Wyndham was a renowned science fiction author of the post-World War II era, and many of his works are thus inspired by a potential nuclear apocalypse. The Chrysalids was well-received by critics and is considered one of Wyndham’s best novels. It was adapted into a BBC radio play in 1982 and a play in 1999.This guide utilizes the... Read The Chrysalids Summary


Publication year 1991Genre Novel, FictionThemes Society: War, Relationships: Family, Relationships: Friendship, Self Discovery, Emotions/Behavior: Determination / Perseverance, Emotions/Behavior: HopeTags Historical Fiction, Immigration / Refugee, Children's Literature, Education, Education, Military / War, History: World

Publication year 1999Genre Book, NonfictionThemes Values/Ideas: Science & Technology, Society: Politics & Government, Society: War, Values/Ideas: Safety & DangerTags History: World, Military / War, Horror / Thriller / Suspense Fiction, Science / Nature, Technology, Technology

Publication year 1981Genre Poem, FictionThemes Society: War, Values/Ideas: Power & GreedTags Prose poetry, Trauma / Abuse / Violence

Publication year 1990Genre Book, NonfictionThemes Society: Economics, Society: Colonialism, Society: Community, Relationships: Teams, Society: Class, Society: Immigration, Society: Globalization, Values/Ideas: Science & Technology, Society: Education, Values/Ideas: Order & Chaos, Society: Nation, Life/Time: The Future, Society: War, Life/Time: The Past, Values/Ideas: Power & Greed, Values/Ideas: Equality, Society: Politics & Government, Values/Ideas: Win & LoseTags Business / Economics, Finance / Money / Wealth, Leadership/Organization/Management, Social Science, History: World, Politics / Government

The Competitive Advantage of Nations is a 1990 work of economics by American author Michael E. Porter, a Harvard Business School professor and expert in corporate competitive strategy whose influential works are frequently cited in business and economics. In this book, Porter dismantles traditional economic theories about how well a nation fares in global competition (factor costs and macro-economic policy) and proposes a model that focuses on active and malleable factors of business rather than... Read The Competitive Advantage Of Nations Summary


Publication year 2021Genre Novel, FictionThemes Relationships: Marriage, Self Discovery, Society: Politics & Government, Society: War, Values/Ideas: Fate, Values/Ideas: Good & EvilTags Romance, Fantasy, New Adult, Science-Fiction / Dystopian Fiction, Religion / Spirituality

Publication year 1983Genre Book, NonfictionThemes Society: Politics & Government, Society: War, Values/Ideas: Order & Chaos, Values/Ideas: Power & Greed, Values/Ideas: Religion & SpiritualityTags Military / War, Medieval Literature / Middle Ages, History: World, Religion / Spirituality, Politics / Government

Publication year 2008Genre Novel, FictionThemes Natural World: Space & The Universe, Values/Ideas: Win & Lose, Society: WarTags Science-Fiction / Dystopian Fiction, Fantasy, Chinese Literature

Publication year 1971Genre Novel, FictionThemes Emotions/Behavior: Conflict, Emotions/Behavior: Determination / Perseverance, Emotions/Behavior: Fear, Emotions/Behavior: Hate & Anger, Emotions/Behavior: Revenge, Identity: Masculinity, Life/Time: Mortality & Death, Relationships: Teams, Society: Colonialism, Society: Politics & Government, Society: War, Values/Ideas: Loyalty & Betrayal, Values/Ideas: Truth & LiesTags Horror / Thriller / Suspense Fiction, Mystery / Crime Fiction, Historical Fiction, Politics / Government

The Day of the Jackal is a 1971 thriller by Frederick Forsyth. The novel is centered around a professional assassin, known only as the Jackal, who is hired by a French paramilitary group to assassinate French President Charles de Gaulle. Forsyth’s realistic, research-based writing style builds suspense through a detailed account of the cat-and-mouse chase that spans across Europe, showcasing the complexities of security and espionage during a tumultuous political era. The novel has been... Read The Day of the Jackal Summary


Publication year 1962Genre Novel, FictionThemes Society: War, Life/Time: Mortality & Death, Emotions/Behavior: LoveTags Magical Realism, Historical Fiction, Latin American Literature

Panamanian-born Mexican writer Carlos Fuentes wrote The Death of Artemio Cruz (La Muerte de Artemio Cruz) in 1962. It was Fuentes’s third novel and established him as a major figure in Latin American literature. The novel belongs to the Latin American Boom of the 1960s and 1970s, which saw the translation of major works of Latin American writers, such as Julio Cortázar (Argentina) and Gabriel García Márquez (Colombia), for circulation in Europe and the United... Read The Death of Artemio Cruz Summary


Genre Book, NonfictionThemes Society: Politics & Government, Values/Ideas: Power & Greed, Values/Ideas: Order & Chaos, Society: WarTags Ancient Rome, Politics / Government, History: World, Military / War, History: European, Classical Period, Classic Fiction

Publication year 2024Genre Book, NonfictionThemes Emotions/Behavior: Conflict, Identity: Race, Society: Politics & Government, Society: WarTags History: U.S., American Civil War, Military / War, History: World, Politics / Government

Publication year 1954Genre Short Story, FictionThemes Society: Class, Emotions/Behavior: Revenge, Life/Time: Coming of Age, Society: WarTags Historical Fiction, British Literature, Education, Education, History: World, Classic Fiction

“The Destructors” is a frequently anthologized short story by Graham Greene (1904-1991) originally published in 1954. Greene is often regarded as one of the greatest British writers of the 20th century. His work was commercially and critically successful and was frequently adapted into films and television shows. An adaptation of “The Destructors” was included in the 1970s television series Shades of Greene. His work often reflects his Catholic values as well as his life-long battles... Read The Destructors Summary


Publication year 2022Genre Novel, FictionThemes Identity: Femininity, Relationships: Marriage, Emotions/Behavior: Memory, Society: WarTags Historical Fiction, Auto/Biographical Fiction, WWII / World War II, Military / War, Russian Literature, History: World, Romance

Publication year 1947Genre Autobiography / Memoir, NonfictionThemes Life/Time: Coming of Age, Society: War, Relationships: FamilyTags History: European, Coming of Age / Bildungsroman, History: World, WWII / World War II, Holocaust, Education, Education, Military / War, Classic Fiction, Biography

Written between 1942 and 1944, The Diary of Anne Frank, aka The Diary of a Young Girl, is a collection of journal entries by Anne Frank, a thirteen-year-old Jewish girl, while in hiding with her family for two years in Nazi-occupied Amsterdam. When Anne died of typhus in the Bergen-Belsen concentration camp in 1945, her diary was given to her father, Otto Frank, the only known survivor of the family. The diary was first published... Read The Diary of a Young Girl Summary


Publication year 2020Genre Novel, FictionThemes Values/Ideas: Literature, Identity: Gender, Relationships: Friendship, Society: Class, Society: WarTags Historical Fiction, Coming of Age / Bildungsroman, Realistic Fiction, Arts / Culture, Class, History: European, Military / War, Gender / Feminism, British Literature, History: World, Romance

Publication year 2011Genre Novel, FictionThemes Emotions/Behavior: Determination / Perseverance, Identity: Femininity, Society: War, Values/Ideas: Fate, Values/Ideas: Religion & Spirituality, Values/Ideas: Safety & DangerTags Historical Fiction, Military / War, Gender / Feminism, Magical Realism, Jewish Literature, Grief / Death, History: World

The Dovekeepers (2011) is a historical fiction novel by Alice Hoffman, set in ancient Israel in 70-73 CE. Infused with magical realism, the book is a dramatized feminist retelling of the Siege of Masada, an event in which 960 Jews resisted the onslaught of Roman forces for nine months. The siege took place in the rugged mountain fortress of Masada and left only seven survivors: two women and five children. In Hoffman’s telling, the narrative... Read The Dovekeepers Summary


Publication year 2012Genre Novel, FictionThemes Natural World: Animals, Values/Ideas: Loyalty & Betrayal, Relationships: Friendship, Values/Ideas: Fate, Life/Time: Coming of Age, Relationships: Family, Society: War, Emotions/Behavior: Determination / PerseveranceTags Fantasy, Action / Adventure, Children's Literature, Animals

Publication year 2019Genre Novel, FictionThemes Society: Colonialism, Society: War, Values/Ideas: Religion & SpiritualityTags Military / War, History: World, Historical Fiction, Fantasy

Publication year 2023Genre Novel, FictionThemes Emotions/Behavior: Forgiveness, Life/Time: The Past, Relationships: Family, Society: WarTags Historical Fiction, Romance, Mystery / Crime Fiction, Fantasy, Magical Realism

Publication year 1919Genre Book, NonfictionThemes Values/Ideas: Win & Lose, Society: War, Society: EconomicsTags History: World, Business / Economics, Politics / Government

Publication year 1942Genre Short Story, FictionThemes Identity: Race, Emotions/Behavior: Conflict, Society: Nation, Emotions/Behavior: Love, Society: WarTags Historical Fiction, WWII / World War II, Japanese Literature, Classic Fiction

Publication year 1992Genre Novel, FictionThemes Society: War, Emotions/Behavior: Memory, Life/Time: The Past, Identity: Race, Society: Community, Emotions/Behavior: GriefTags Historical Fiction, Military / War, History: World, Classic Fiction, Romance, WWII / World War II

The English Patient (1992) is a historical romance novel by Canadian writer Michael Ondaatje. The novel explores the relationships between four dissimilar people living in an abandoned Italian monastery at the end of World War II. The eponymous English patient—actually a Hungarian count burned beyond recognition—tells Canadian nurse Hana the story of his forbidden romance with British amateur cartographer Katharine Clifton as their small team attempted, several years earlier, to map North African deserts. Using... Read The English Patient Summary


Publication year 2006Genre Book, NonfictionThemes Identity: Indigenous, Society: Colonialism, Society: War, Society: Nation, Values/Ideas: Truth & LiesTags History: Middle Eastern, Race / Racism, Military / War, History: World, Social Justice, Politics / Government, Religion / Spirituality

Publication year 1984Genre Novel, FictionThemes Society: War, Life/Time: Coming of Age, Values/Ideas: Justice & InjusticeTags Historical Fiction, Children's Literature, Military / War, American Revolution, History: World

The Fighting Ground, a novel by children’s writer Avi, tells the story of a 13-year-old boy who runs away from home to join the American Revolution. The book gives a minute-by-minute account of one day in the boy’s life and the hard lessons he learns about war. First published in 1984, the novel won several honors, including the Scott O’Dell Award, but it was also challenged or banned in some school districts for its use... Read The Fighting Ground Summary


Publication year 1999Genre Reference/Text Book, NonfictionThemes Society: War, Values/Ideas: Win & Lose, Society: Politics & GovernmentTags History: World, Military / War, WWI / World War I, History: European, Politics / Government

Publication year 2003Genre Novel, FictionThemes Life/Time: Mortality & Death, Values/Ideas: Religion & Spirituality, Life/Time: Aging, Values/Ideas: Fate, Relationships: Friendship, Emotions/Behavior: Forgiveness, Emotions/Behavior: Memory, Life/Time: Childhood & Youth, Life/Time: The Past, Relationships: Family, Emotions/Behavior: Hate & Anger, Emotions/Behavior: Love, Society: War, Emotions/Behavior: Grief, Relationships: Marriage, Relationships: Fathers, Emotions/Behavior: Nostalgia, Emotions/Behavior: Hope, Relationships: MothersTags Inspirational, Magical Realism, Religion / Spirituality, Grief / Death, Modern Classic Fiction, Fantasy, Philosophy, Philosophy, Classic Fiction

The Five People You Meet in Heaven is a novel by best-selling writer Mitch Albom. Published in 2003, it sold more than 10 million copies and appeared on the New York Times bestseller list. In 2004, the story was adapted into a made-for-television movie starring Jon Voight. In 2018, Albom penned a follow-up called The Next Person You Meet in Heaven. The novel follows the story of Eddie, a man who believes his life was... Read The Five People You Meet In Heaven Summary


Publication year 2003Genre Poem, FictionThemes Values/Ideas: Power & Greed, Life/Time: Mortality & Death, Society: WarTags Narrative / Epic Poem, Trauma / Abuse / Violence, WWII / World War II

Publication year 1974Genre Novel, FictionThemes Society: War, Values/Ideas: Science & Technology, Society: Politics & Government, Natural World: Space & The UniverseTags Science-Fiction / Dystopian Fiction, Action / Adventure, Military / War, Love / Sexuality, Science / Nature, Technology, American Literature, Fantasy, Classic Fiction

Joe Haldeman’s science fiction novel The Forever War was published in 1974 and is considered a classic of the genre: Along with Robert Heinlein’s Starship Troopers, The Forever War invented the science fiction war novel. It won the 1975 Nebula Award as well as the 1976 Hugo and Locus awards. Haldeman, a veteran of the Vietnam War and a Purple Heart recipient, infuses his firsthand knowledge of war and military protocols into his futuristic setting... Read The Forever War Summary


Publication year 2007Genre Book, NonfictionThemes Society: War, Values/Ideas: Loyalty & Betrayal, Society: Politics & GovernmentTags History: U.S., WWII / World War II, Military / War

Publication year 1967Genre Autobiography / Memoir, NonfictionThemes Life/Time: Coming of Age, Life/Time: Mortality & Death, Relationships: Friendship, Society: WarTags History: World, Biography, WWII / World War II, History: European, Military / War

Publication year 2006Genre Novel, FictionThemes Relationships: Family, Relationships: Friendship, Emotions/Behavior: Conflict, Emotions/Behavior: Grief, Emotions/Behavior: Loneliness, Life/Time: Coming of Age, Relationships: Daughters & Sons, Relationships: Fathers, Self Discovery, Society: Community, Society: War, Values/Ideas: Science & TechnologyTags Historical Fiction, WWII / World War II, Children's Literature, Military / War, Realistic Fiction, History: World

The Green Glass Sea is the 2006 children’s historical fiction and debut novel by American author Ellen Klages. Set in New Mexico in 1943, the story tells of 11-year-old Dewey Kerrigan, an outcast mechanical engineering prodigy who arrives to live with her father in the mysterious town of Los Alamos, New Mexico (also called the Hill). Dewey slowly learns that her father and several other scientists are working on a top-secret project called the “gadget.”... Read The Green Glass Sea Summary


Publication year 2008Genre Novel, FictionThemes Values/Ideas: Literature, Society: War, Relationships: FriendshipTags Historical Fiction, Romance, WWII / World War II, Military / War, History: World

Written in epistolary form, The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society is a historical novel set during the German Occupation of the English Channel Islands during World War II (WWII). The novel was co-written by Mary Ann Shaffer, an editor, librarian, and bookshop clerk, and her niece, Annie Barrows, author of the Ivy and Bean children’s books series. Shaffer began writing the novel, but when she was diagnosed with cancer she requested Barrows’s help... Read The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society Summary


Publication year 1948Genre Novel, FictionThemes Emotions/Behavior: Love, Society: War, Values/Ideas: Loyalty & Betrayal, Values/Ideas: Trust & Doubt, Values/Ideas: Truth & LiesTags Classic Fiction, Historical Fiction, WWII / World War II, British Literature, Military / War, Irish Literature

Publication year 2005Genre Novel, FictionThemes Emotions/Behavior: Courage, Emotions/Behavior: Determination / Perseverance, Emotions/Behavior: Fear, Emotions/Behavior: Forgiveness, Emotions/Behavior: Grief, Emotions/Behavior: Hate & Anger, Emotions/Behavior: Revenge, Life/Time: Coming of Age, Life/Time: Mortality & Death, Life/Time: The Past, Relationships: Family, Society: Politics & Government, Society: War, Values/Ideas: Good & Evil, Values/Ideas: Power & Greed, Values/Ideas: Religion & SpiritualityTags Horror / Thriller / Suspense Fiction, Historical Fiction, Fantasy, Gothic Literature, Science-Fiction / Dystopian Fiction, Mystery / Crime Fiction, History: World, Religion / Spirituality

The Historian (2005), Elizabeth Kostova’s best-selling novel, blends fact and fiction to reinvent the myth of the iconic vampire Dracula, or Vlad Ţepeş. In this retelling, the unnamed narrator accompanies her ambassador father, Paul, across Europe in the early 1970s as he tells her the story of his near encounter with the vampire. He tells her the Prince of Wallachia lives, 500 years after his death. Paul’s mentor, Dr. Rossi, was conducting research on Dracula... Read The Historian Summary


Publication year 110Genre Book, NonfictionThemes Identity: Race, Life/Time: Mortality & Death, Life/Time: The Past, Society: Nation, Society: Politics & Government, Society: War, Values/Ideas: Justice & Injustice, Values/Ideas: Win & LoseTags Philosophy, Philosophy, Classical Period, History: World, Fantasy, Classic Fiction

Publication year 590Genre Book, NonfictionThemes Society: Politics & Government, Society: Nation, Society: War, Values/Ideas: Order & Chaos, Values/Ideas: Power & GreedTags History: European, Medieval Literature / Middle Ages, French Literature, Religion / Spirituality

Publication year 2003Genre Reference/Text Book, NonfictionThemes Emotions/Behavior: Conflict, Natural World: Climate, Natural World: Environment, Natural World: Food, Natural World: Place, Society: Colonialism, Society: Community, Society: Economics, Society: Globalization, Society: Nation, Society: Politics & Government, Society: War, Values/Ideas: Equality, Values/Ideas: Order & Chaos, Values/Ideas: Power & Greed, Values/Ideas: Science & TechnologyTags Education, Education, Anthropology, Anthropology, Science / Nature, Philosophy, Philosophy, Politics / Government, History: World, Sociology

Publication year 2020Genre Book, NonfictionThemes Society: Colonialism, Society: Politics & Government, Society: WarTags History: Asian, History: World, Politics / Government, Military / War, Religion / Spirituality, Social Justice

Publication year 1984Genre Novel, FictionThemes Society: Politics & Government, Values/Ideas: Truth & Lies, Values/Ideas: Loyalty & Betrayal, Society: WarTags Horror / Thriller / Suspense Fiction, Mystery / Crime Fiction, Military / War, Action / Adventure, Cold War, Historical Fiction

Publication year 2016Genre Biography, NonfictionThemes Emotions/Behavior: Conflict, Emotions/Behavior: Courage, Identity: Indigenous, Identity: Language, Identity: Race, Life/Time: The Past, Society: Colonialism, Society: Community, Society: Immigration, Society: Nation, Society: War, Values/Ideas: Equality, Values/Ideas: Justice & Injustice, Values/Ideas: Win & LoseTags Irish Literature, Biography, History: U.S., Military / War, History: World

The Immortal Irishman: The Irish Revolutionary Who Became an American Hero (2016), by American author and journalist Timothy Egan, is a biography of Thomas Francis Meagher, an Irish revolutionary and American Civil War hero who later became the governor of the Montana Territory. Egan's narrative captures Meagher's tumultuous journey, from his fight for Irish independence to his contributions in America, focusing on broader themes of exile, resilience, and identity. Egan contextualizes Meagher’s life against the... Read The Immortal Irishman Summary


Publication year 2014Genre Novel, FictionThemes Relationships: Family, Identity: Mental Health, Society: War, Relationships: Fathers, Relationships: Daughters & Sons, Life/Time: The PastTags Realistic Fiction, Mental Illness, Military / War, Modern Classic Fiction, Romance

Publication year 1980Genre Novel, FictionThemes Identity: Race, Society: War, Relationships: FriendshipTags Fantasy, Action / Adventure, British Literature, Race / Racism, Children's Literature, Education, Education, Classic Fiction

Published in 1980, the fantasy novel The Indian in the Cupboard tells the story of a small cabinet that converts a boy’s plastic toy figures into real, if tiny, people, and the misadventures the boy and his best friend have with those visitors. The first of five novels about the magic cabinet, The Indian in the Cupboard has sold more than 10 million copies and been made into a motion picture. Author Lynne Reid Banks... Read The Indian in the Cupboard Summary


Publication year 1949Genre Essay / Speech, NonfictionThemes Society: War, Society: Nation, Values/Ideas: Good & Evil, Emotions/Behavior: CourageTags Military / War, History: World, WWII / World War II, Politics / Government, Biography

“Their Finest Hour” is a speech originally given by British Prime Minister Winston Churchill on June 18, 1940, in the House of Commons to members of Parliament and his ministerial cabinet. Churchill delivered the speech following the disastrous campaign of the Battle of France and the hasty evacuation of the British Expeditionary Force (BEF) from Dunkirk. In June 1940, Nazi boots marched in Paris, and the surrender of the French government seemed imminent. The speech... Read Their Finest Hour Summary


Publication year 2023Genre Novel, FictionThemes Emotions/Behavior: Courage, Emotions/Behavior: Hate & Anger, Relationships: Friendship, Relationships: Mothers, Society: Community, Society: War, Values/Ideas: Justice & Injustice, Values/Ideas: Literature, Values/Ideas: MusicTags Historical Fiction, WWII / World War II, Military / War, History: World

Publication year 1974Genre Novel, FictionThemes Society: War, Emotions/Behavior: Conflict, Society: NationTags Historical Fiction, Military / War, American Civil War, Education, Education, History: U.S., History: World, Classic Fiction

Publication year 2021Genre Novel, FictionThemes Relationships: Friendship, Natural World: Food, Society: WarTags Historical Fiction, Food, WWII / World War II, British Literature, Military / War, History: World

Publication year 2021Genre Novel, FictionThemes Values/Ideas: Literature, Society: War, Society: CommunityTags Historical Fiction, Military / War, WWII / World War II, British Literature, History: World, Romance

Publication year 2021Genre Novel, FictionThemes Emotions/Behavior: Memory, Identity: Gender, Society: WarTags Military / War, History: World, Historical Fiction, Romance, WWII / World War II, British Literature

Publication year 1826Genre Novel, FictionThemes Identity: Race, Society: War, Society: ColonialismTags Historical Fiction, Classic Fiction, Action / Adventure, Military / War, American Literature, History: World

James Fenimore Cooper’s The Last of the Mohicans: A Narrative of 1757 (1826) is the second in a series of historical novels known as the Leatherstocking Tales that describe the adventures of 18th-century American frontiersman Natty Bumppo. The Last of the Mohicans is set in 1757, in upstate New York during the French and Indian War. The book follows the attempts of Bumppo, his Mohican friends Chingachgook and Uncas, and other followers as they escort... Read The Last of the Mohicans Summary


Publication year 1929Genre Novel, FictionThemes Life/Time: Coming of Age, Self Discovery, Society: Class, Society: WarTags History: World, Historical Fiction, Irish Literature, Classic Fiction

Publication year 2023Genre Novel, FictionThemes Emotions/Behavior: Love, Identity: Sexuality, Society: War, Values/Ideas: Good & Evil, Values/Ideas: Literature, Values/Ideas: Loyalty & Betrayal, Values/Ideas: Safety & DangerTags WWII / World War II, Military / War, History: World, Historical Fiction, LGBTQ

Publication year 2001Genre Play, FictionThemes Identity: Masculinity, Society: Nation, Society: WarTags Play: Comedy / Satire, Humor, Trauma / Abuse / Violence, Education, Education, History: World, Drama / Tragedy, Irish Literature

Publication year 2017Genre Novel, FictionThemes Society: War, Relationships: Marriage, Emotions/Behavior: Hope, Values/Ideas: Trust & DoubtTags Romance, History: U.S., Modern Classic Fiction

Publication year 2024Genre Novel, FictionThemes Emotions/Behavior: Conflict, Emotions/Behavior: Courage, Emotions/Behavior: Forgiveness, Emotions/Behavior: Guilt, Emotions/Behavior: Hope, Emotions/Behavior: Memory, Emotions/Behavior: Regret, Identity: Femininity, Identity: Gender, Life/Time: Coming of Age, Relationships: Mothers, Society: Class, Society: Politics & Government, Society: War, Values/Ideas: Justice & InjusticeTags Gender / Feminism, History: World, Historical Fiction

Publication year 2023Genre Novel, FictionThemes Values/Ideas: Truth & Lies, Emotions/Behavior: Determination / Perseverance, Emotions/Behavior: Forgiveness, Emotions/Behavior: Hate & Anger, Emotions/Behavior: Regret, Emotions/Behavior: Revenge, Life/Time: Mortality & Death, Relationships: Family, Society: War, Values/Ideas: Justice & InjusticeTags Historical Fiction, WWII / World War II, Holocaust, Jewish Literature, Military / War, History: World

Publication year 1980Genre Novel, FictionThemes Society: War, Relationships: SiblingsTags Military / War, Southern Literature, Historical Fiction, Classic Fiction

The Lords of Discipline, Pat Conroy’s 1980 novel set at a military college, chronicles four years in the life of a cadet in training. Conroy, who attended a military college himself, does not shy away from describing the darker side of military training, including relentless, brutal hazing and racism. The novel is divided into four parts, with a brief opening note preceding the story. Before the plot gets underway, protagonist and narrator Will McLean explains... Read The Lords of Discipline Summary


Publication year 2019Genre Novel, FictionThemes Emotions/Behavior: Determination / Perseverance, Natural World: Appearance & Reality, Relationships: Friendship, Relationships: Teams, Society: Nation, Society: Politics & Government, Society: War, Values/Ideas: Justice & Injustice, Values/Ideas: Loyalty & BetrayalTags Mystery / Crime Fiction, WWII / World War II, Military / War, French Literature, History: World, Historical Fiction

Publication year 2023Genre Novel, FictionThemes Relationships: Family, Life/Time: The Past, Society: War, Values/Ideas: Truth & LiesTags Children's Literature, History: World, Historical Fiction, Realistic Fiction

Publication year 1902Genre Poem, FictionThemes Society: Class, Society: War, Society: ColonialismTags Poetry: Dramatic Poem, Victorian Period, Military / War, Class, History: African , History: European, Psychology, Grief / Death, Trauma / Abuse / Violence, Classic Fiction, British Literature

Publication year 1994Genre Book, NonfictionThemes Society: War, Values/Ideas: Truth & LiesTags Military / War, Cold War, Education, Education, Latin American Literature, Journalism, History: World, Social Justice, Politics / Government

The Massacre at El Mozote, by Mark Danner, which in its first iteration appeared as a series of articles for The New Yorker, is an in-depth investigation into the events of December 1981 in the small town of El Mozote in northern El Salvador, during the country’s long civil war. Danner proceeds to not only bring these events to light, but also to place them in the global context of the Cold War of the... Read The Massacre at El Mozote Summary


Publication year 2015Genre Autobiography / Memoir, NonfictionThemes Values/Ideas: Justice & Injustice, Society: War, Identity: Race, Values/Ideas: Good & Evil, Values/Ideas: Safety & Danger, Values/Ideas: Power & Greed, Values/Ideas: Religion & Spirituality, Emotions/Behavior: Determination / Perseverance, Emotions/Behavior: Courage, Society: Politics & Government, Values/Ideas: Truth & LiesTags Incarceration, Politics / Government, War On Terrorism / Iraq War, Military / War, Trauma / Abuse / Violence, History: U.S., Race / Racism, Social Justice

Publication year 2024Genre Novel, FictionThemes Relationships: Teams, Society: Class, Society: Colonialism, Society: Politics & Government, Society: War, Values/Ideas: Good & Evil, Values/Ideas: Justice & Injustice, Values/Ideas: Loyalty & Betrayal, Values/Ideas: Order & Chaos, Values/Ideas: Power & Greed, Values/Ideas: Safety & Danger, Values/Ideas: Science & Technology, Values/Ideas: Trust & DoubtTags Science-Fiction / Dystopian Fiction, Fantasy

Publication year 2024Genre Essay Collection, NonfictionThemes Emotions/Behavior: Guilt, Emotions/Behavior: Hope, Identity: Race, Society: Colonialism, Society: Nation, Society: Politics & Government, Society: War, Values/Ideas: Equality, Values/Ideas: Justice & Injustice, Values/Ideas: Literature, Values/Ideas: Truth & LiesTags History: U.S., Race / Racism, African American Literature, Biography

Publication year 2022Genre Novel, FictionThemes Society: War, Emotions/Behavior: Courage, Emotions/Behavior: Determination / Perseverance, Emotions/Behavior: Fear, Emotions/Behavior: Grief, Emotions/Behavior: Hate & Anger, Emotions/Behavior: Hope, Identity: Femininity, Identity: Race, Life/Time: Mortality & Death, Relationships: Family, Relationships: Mothers, Relationships: Teams, Values/Ideas: Good & Evil, Values/Ideas: Justice & Injustice, Values/Ideas: Religion & SpiritualityTags Historical Fiction, WWII / World War II, Holocaust

Publication year 2024Genre Novel, FictionThemes Emotions/Behavior: Conflict, Emotions/Behavior: Determination / Perseverance, Emotions/Behavior: Love, Emotions/Behavior: Regret, Identity: Race, Life/Time: The Future, Life/Time: The Past, Natural World: Climate, Natural World: Environment, Society: Class, Society: Community, Society: Economics, Society: Globalization, Society: Immigration, Society: Nation, Society: Politics & Government, Society: War, Values/Ideas: Fate, Values/Ideas: Good & Evil, Values/Ideas: Justice & Injustice, Values/Ideas: Loyalty & Betrayal, Values/Ideas: Order & Chaos, Values/Ideas: Power & Greed, Values/Ideas: Safety & Danger, Values/Ideas: Science & Technology, Values/Ideas: Trust & Doubt, Values/Ideas: Truth & LiesTags History: World, Historical Fiction, Fantasy, Romance, Science-Fiction / Dystopian Fiction

Publication year 2020Genre Novel, FictionThemes Relationships: Family, Society: War, Emotions/Behavior: Revenge, Emotions/Behavior: Love, Emotions/Behavior: Forgiveness, Values/Ideas: Art, Values/Ideas: LiteratureTags Historical Fiction, Vietnam War, Asian Literature, Military / War, Asian Literature, History: World

Publication year 2023Genre Biography, NonfictionThemes Life/Time: Mortality & Death, Life/Time: The Past, Relationships: Teams, Society: Economics, Society: Globalization, Society: Nation, Society: Politics & Government, Society: War, Values/Ideas: Power & Greed, Values/Ideas: Science & TechnologyTags Mystery / Crime Fiction, Military / War, Science / Nature, Biography, History: European, History: World, Crime / Legal, Technology, WWI / World War I

Publication year 2020Genre Novel, FictionThemes Values/Ideas: Truth & Lies, Values/Ideas: Literature, Society: War, Relationships: Family, Relationships: Mothers, Relationships: MarriageTags Historical Fiction, Mystery / Crime Fiction, Horror / Thriller / Suspense Fiction, British Literature, History: World

Publication year 1961Genre Play, FictionThemes Emotions/Behavior: Loneliness, Identity: Mental Health, Natural World: Animals, Natural World: Environment, Natural World: Place, Society: War, Values/Ideas: Religion & Spirituality, Life/Time: Mortality & DeathTags Play: Drama, Southern Gothic, History: U.S., American Literature, Southern Gothic, History: World, Drama / Tragedy, Classic Fiction

The Night of the Iguana, a play by Tennessee Williams, debuted on Broadway in 1961 and went on to run for a respectable 316 performances. It was also nominated for the Best Play Tony Award and marked Williams’s fourth New York Drama Critics’ Circle Award win for Best American Play. The play was first adapted from some elements of a short story by the same title, which Williams published in 1948 as part of a... Read The Night of the Iguana Summary


Publication year 1933Genre Short Story, FictionThemes Emotions/Behavior: Fear, Natural World: Appearance & Reality, Society: WarTags Science-Fiction / Dystopian Fiction, Humor, Psychology, Military / War, Classic Fiction

“The Night the Ghost Got In” is a short story from the comedic semi-autobiographical memoir My Life and Hard Times published in 1933 by James Thurber. Thurber is best known for his short story “The Secret Life of Walter Mitty,” which has been twice adapted for film. This guide references the 1999 Harper Perennial Classics Reprint edition of My Life and Hard Times.“The Night the Ghost Got In” tells the first-person account of a young... Read The Night the Ghost Got In Summary


Publication year 1959Genre Novel, FictionThemes Emotions/Behavior: Apathy, Emotions/Behavior: Shame & Pride, Identity: Masculinity, Society: Nation, Society: Politics & Government, Society: War, Values/Ideas: Justice & Injustice

Publication year 2002Genre Book, NonfictionThemes Natural World: Environment, Society: Class, Society: Colonialism, Society: Community, Society: Economics, Society: Globalization, Society: Immigration, Society: Nation, Society: Politics & Government, Society: War, Values/Ideas: Justice & InjusticeTags Education, Education, Science / Nature, Social Science, History: World, History: European, Politics / Government

Publication year 2023Genre Novel, FictionThemes Emotions/Behavior: Courage, Emotions/Behavior: Memory, Life/Time: The Past, Relationships: Daughters & Sons, Relationships: Marriage, Society: Nation, Society: War, Values/Ideas: Truth & LiesTags Historical Fiction, Mystery / Crime Fiction, Horror / Thriller / Suspense Fiction, WWII / World War II, Military / War, French Literature, History: World

Publication year 2010Genre Novel, FictionThemes Values/Ideas: Science & Technology, Values/Ideas: Good & Evil, Society: WarTags Science-Fiction / Dystopian Fiction, Horror / Thriller / Suspense Fiction, Fantasy

The Passage is a 2010 novel by Justin Cronin. It is the first novel in a post-apocalyptic horror series that includes The Twelve and City of Mirrors. The Passage is Cronin’s take on the vampire genre. He uses world-building to examine themes of Passages and Transitions, Vampirism as a Metaphor, and The Value of Life. The Passage was well-received and was adapted into a television series for the Fox Network, which aired its final episode... Read The Passage Summary


Publication year 1999Genre Essay / Speech, NonfictionThemes Emotions/Behavior: Apathy, Emotions/Behavior: Memory, Society: WarTags Holocaust

Publication year -1Genre Play, FictionThemes Emotions/Behavior: Shame & Pride, Relationships: Fathers, Society: War, Society: Politics & Government, Values/Ideas: Win & LoseTags Play: Tragedy, Ancient Greece, Play: Historical, Military / War, History: European, Politics / Government

Written and first performed in 472 BC, the ancient Greek tragedy The Persians by Aeschylus is the oldest extant example of the genre. Known as the father of Greek tragedy, Aeschylus was also a veteran of the Greco-Persian wars, on which The Persians is based. Because it depicts recent events, The Persians stands out from other plays of the genre, which for the most part focus on the distant past or mythological heroes. The approach was a... Read The Persians Summary


Publication year 2018Genre Novel, FictionThemes Emotions/Behavior: Revenge, Emotions/Behavior: Hate & Anger, Society: Class, Society: War, Society: Colonialism, Values/Ideas: Good & EvilTags Historical Fiction, Fantasy, Military / War, Race / Racism, History: World

Publication year 2014Genre Biography, NonfictionThemes Society: WarTags Military / War, Social Justice, WWII / World War II, Children's Literature, History: U.S., History: World, Arts / Culture

In The Port Chicago 50: Disaster, Mutiny, and the Fight for Civil Rights, historian Steve Sheinkin traces the story of the Port Chicago 50, a group of African-American sailors charged with mutiny for disobeying orders during World War II. Sheinkin’s history opens, however, with the story of Dorie Miller, a black mess attendant stationed at Pearl Harbor when the Japanese attack in 1942. Though not trained for battle, Miller courageously begins fighting with an anti-aircraft... Read The Port Chicago 50 Summary


Publication year 1991Genre Book, NonfictionThemes Society: Colonialism, Society: Economics, Society: Globalization, Society: Nation, Society: Politics & Government, Society: War, Values/Ideas: Power & Greed, Natural World: EnvironmentTags Military / War, Science / Nature, Business / Economics, History: World, Politics / Government

The Prize: The Epic Quest for Oil, Money, & Power is an influential work by Daniel Yergin that was originally published in 1991. Yergin, a highly regarded American historian and economic researcher, examines the history and influence of the global oil industry. With a background in energy economics and policy, Yergin brings a wealth of expertise to this comprehensive examination, providing a detailed narrative of the oil industry’s evolution and its substantial impact on global... Read The Prize: The Epic Quest for Oil, Money, and Power Summary


Publication year 2019Genre Novel, FictionThemes Values/Ideas: Power & Greed, Emotions/Behavior: Conflict, Emotions/Behavior: Forgiveness, Emotions/Behavior: Love, Natural World: Nurture v. Nature, Relationships: Fathers, Self Discovery, Society: War, Values/Ideas: Trust & DoubtTags Fantasy, Romance, Gender / Feminism, Leadership/Organization/Management, Relationships, Parenting, Trauma / Abuse / Violence, Fairy Tale / Folklore

Publication year 1955Genre Novel, FictionThemes Society: Colonialism, Life/Time: Mortality & Death, Values/Ideas: Trust & Doubt, Society: WarTags Historical Fiction, Romance, Military / War, Vietnam War, British Literature, Horror / Thriller / Suspense Fiction, Classic Fiction

The Quiet American is a 1955 novel by Graham Greene. Set during the era of French colonialism in Vietnam, it tells the story of an English journalist who is caught in a love triangle with an American intelligence agent and a Vietnamese woman. Greene had published over a dozen novels before The Quiet American and was considered one of the most influential American authors during his career. He drew on his own experiences as a... Read The Quiet American Summary


Publication year 1594Genre Poem, FictionThemes Society: War, Identity: MasculinityTags Elizabethan Era, Narrative / Epic Poem, Trauma / Abuse / Violence, Grief / Death, Education, Education, British Literature, Drama / Tragedy, Historical Fiction, Classic Fiction

“The Rape of Lucrece,” written by William Shakespeare, was originally published in 1594 by Richard Field. This poem comes early in Shakespeare’s canon, with its original publication near the end of Queen Elizabeth I’s reign, shortly after Taming of the Shrew and around the time of A Midsummer Nights’ Dream. As a companion piece to “Venus and Adonis,” Shakespeare dedicates “The Rape of Lucrece” to the Earl of Southampton, Henry Wriothesley, his patron. It went... Read The Rape of Lucrece Summary


Publication year 1951Genre Book, NonfictionThemes Society: War, Society: Community, Society: Politics & Government, Values/Ideas: Fate, Values/Ideas: Power & GreedTags Philosophy, Politics / Government, Absurdism, French Literature, History: World, Philosophy, Classic Fiction

Publication year 2018Genre Novel, FictionThemes Emotions/Behavior: Conflict, Emotions/Behavior: Determination / Perseverance, Emotions/Behavior: Forgiveness, Emotions/Behavior: Guilt, Emotions/Behavior: Grief, Emotions/Behavior: Hate & Anger, Emotions/Behavior: Revenge, Emotions/Behavior: Shame & Pride, Society: War, Society: Class, Society: Colonialism, Society: Politics & Government, Values/Ideas: Equality, Values/Ideas: Justice & Injustice, Values/Ideas: Loyalty & Betrayal, Values/Ideas: Safety & Danger, Values/Ideas: Truth & Lies, Values/Ideas: Trust & Doubt, Identity: Race, Identity: Gender, Identity: Mental Health, Identity: Femininity, Identity: Masculinity, Relationships: Daughters & Sons, Relationships: Family, Relationships: Fathers, Relationships: Marriage, Relationships: Mothers, Relationships: Siblings, Life/Time: Mortality & Death, Life/Time: Coming of Age, Life/Time: The Past, Society: NationTags Mystery / Crime Fiction, Historical Fiction, Horror / Thriller / Suspense Fiction, Crime / Legal, Race / Racism, Military / War, History: World

Publication year 1895Genre Novel, FictionThemes Society: War, Emotions/Behavior: Fear, Emotions/Behavior: Shame & PrideTags Military / War, American Literature, Historical Fiction, History: U.S., American Civil War, Naturalism, Education, Education, History: World, Classic Fiction

The Red Badge of Courage was written in 1895 by Stephen Crane, a novelist, poet, and journalist well known for his naturalist style and for incorporating the inner lives of common and marginalized people. The novel won wide acclaim for Crane, though his life after the book’s publication was distinguished by scandal and money troubles. Its themes reframe the concept of military duty as a rite of passage, detailing a highly individual and self-searching act... Read The Red Badge of Courage Summary


Publication year 1974Genre Short Story, FictionThemes Relationships: Siblings, Society: War, Identity: Indigenous, Life/Time: Coming of AgeTags Mental Illness, American Literature, Education, Education, Modern Classic Fiction, Magical Realism

Content Warning: This guide contains references to war-related trauma, suicide, and systemic racism and violence against Indigenous Americans.“The Red Convertible” is a short story that explores themes of Coming of Age and The Trauma of War through the lives of two young Chippewa men. Protagonist Lyman Lamartine reflects on his relationship with his brother, Henry Junior, before, during, and after Henry’s time serving in the Vietnam War. Lyman focuses on the period when he and... Read The Red Convertible Summary


Publication year 2014Genre Novel/Book in Verse, FictionThemes Emotions/Behavior: Courage, Emotions/Behavior: Determination / Perseverance, Emotions/Behavior: Grief, Emotions/Behavior: Hope, Life/Time: Childhood & Youth, Relationships: Family, Society: War, Values/Ideas: Art, Life/Time: Coming of AgeTags Historical Fiction, Realistic Fiction, Military / War, Arts / Culture, Education, Gender / Feminism, Coming of Age / Bildungsroman, African Literature, History: African , Children's Literature

Publication year 2017Genre Short Story Collection, FictionThemes Emotions/Behavior: Conflict, Relationships: Family, Society: War, Life/Time: AgingTags Immigration / Refugee, Historical Fiction, Asian Literature, Trauma / Abuse / Violence, Vietnam War, Modern Classic Fiction, Asian Literature, History: World

The Refugees is a 2017 collection of short stories by celebrated Vietnamese American author, Viet Thanh Nguyen. Nguyen has written fiction, academic nonfiction, and children’s books, and his novel The Sympathizer won the Pulitzer Prize in 2016. Nguyen received his doctorate in English at the University of California Berkeley, and he currently is a literature professor at the University of Southern California. Nguyen’s scholarship and literary works focus on the experiences of Vietnamese communities in... Read The Refugees Summary


Publication year 2022Genre Biography, NonfictionThemes Emotions/Behavior: Courage, Emotions/Behavior: Determination / Perseverance, Life/Time: The Future, Relationships: Teams, Society: Colonialism, Society: Community, Society: Economics, Society: Nation, Society: Politics & Government, Values/Ideas: Justice & Injustice, Society: War, Values/Ideas: Order & ChaosTags History: U.S., Politics / Government, American Revolution, Military / War, History: World, Biography

Publication year 1971Genre Poem, FictionThemes Society: War, Values/Ideas: Justice & Injustice, Values/Ideas: Equality, Values/Ideas: Music, Society: CommunityTags Lyric Poem, Race / Racism, Social Justice, Music, African American Literature

Publication year 1960Genre Book, NonfictionThemes Identity: Race, Emotions/Behavior: Apathy, Emotions/Behavior: Determination / Perseverance, Values/Ideas: Good & Evil, Society: War, Society: Politics & GovernmentTags WWII / World War II, Holocaust, History: European, Politics / Government, Race / Racism, Grief / Death, History: World, Journalism, Military / War, Trauma / Abuse / Violence

Publication year 2003Genre Novel, FictionThemes Values/Ideas: Equality, Relationships: Family, Society: WarTags Historical Fiction, Military / War, American Civil War, Children's Literature, History: World

The River Between Us by Richard Peck is a young adult historical fiction novel about the Civil War. Peck was the author of over 35 novels for children and young adults and won a Newberry Medal, Newberry Honor, the Edgar Allan Poe Award, the Boston Globe-Horn Book Award, and the Christopher Medal. The River Between Us, published in 2003, won the Scott O’Dell Award and was a National Book Award finalist. The book deals with... Read The River Between Us Summary


Publication year 2023Genre Novel, FictionThemes Emotions/Behavior: Conflict, Identity: Indigenous, Identity: Masculinity, Identity: Race, Life/Time: Coming of Age, Society: Community, Society: War, Identity: GenderTags Mystery / Crime Fiction, WWII / World War II, Horror / Thriller / Suspense Fiction, History: World, Historical Fiction

Publication year 2018Genre Book, NonfictionThemes Society: Globalization, Society: Nation, Society: Politics & Government, Society: WarTags Russian Literature, Military / War, American Literature, History: World, Philosophy, Philosophy, Politics / Government

Publication year 2018Genre Novel, FictionThemes Emotions/Behavior: Determination / Perseverance, Emotions/Behavior: Love, Life/Time: Coming of Age, Relationships: Friendship, Society: Community, Society: War, Values/Ideas: Safety & Danger, Emotions/Behavior: CourageTags Historical Fiction, WWII / World War II, Military / War, History: World, French Literature, Romance

The Room on Rue Amélie (2018) is a historical fiction novel by American author Kristin Harmel. The novel follows the experiences of Ruby Henderson, an American immigrant in Paris, during World War II. Ruby eventually becomes involved in the French Resistance and forms a close friendship with Charlotte, whose Jewish identity leaves her vulnerable to persecution. Both women navigate the risks of resistance and the nature of love in a time of war. The novel... Read The Room on Rue Amélie Summary


Publication year 2004Genre Novel, FictionThemes Life/Time: Mortality & Death, Values/Ideas: Loyalty & Betrayal, Relationships: Friendship, Values/Ideas: Safety & Danger, Life/Time: Coming of Age, Values/Ideas: Fame, Emotions/Behavior: Revenge, Emotions/Behavior: Memory, Life/Time: Childhood & Youth, Life/Time: The Past, Society: Education, Natural World: Animals, Emotions/Behavior: Fear, Values/Ideas: Good & Evil, Society: War, Relationships: Fathers, Emotions/Behavior: Determination / Perseverance, Emotions/Behavior: Conflict, Values/Ideas: Win & Lose, Society: Nation, Self DiscoveryTags Fantasy, Children's Literature, Action / Adventure, Class

In The Ruins of Gorlan, a Medieval adventure-fantasy novel for middle-grade readers, young Will learns the arts of the secretive Ranger tracker-warriors and defends his kingdom against an evil baron. Released in 2004 by author John Flanagan, The Ruins of Gorlan won multiple awards, spawned the bestselling Ranger Apprentice book series, and has been published in 18 countries. A television adaptation is in the works.Following a long career in advertising, author Flanagan shifted to book... Read The Ruins of Gorlan Summary


Publication year 1984Genre Novel, FictionThemes Values/Ideas: Order & Chaos, Society: War, Life/Time: Coming of AgeTags Children's Literature, Education, Education, History: World, Historical Fiction, Japanese Literature, Action / Adventure

Publication year 2019Genre Book, NonfictionThemes Identity: Race, Society: Nation, Society: WarTags History: U.S., American Civil War, Politics / Government, Race / Racism, Military / War, American Literature, History: World

Publication year 2022Genre Novel, FictionThemes Identity: Mental Health, Relationships: Family, Society: WarTags Horror / Thriller / Suspense Fiction, Mystery / Crime Fiction, Modern Classic Fiction, Action / Adventure

Publication year 2022Genre Novel, FictionThemes Life/Time: Mortality & Death, Society: War, Emotions/Behavior: HopeTags Satire, Historical Fiction, Fantasy, Magical Realism, LGBTQ, Journalism, Mystery / Crime Fiction, History: World

Publication year 2019Genre Novel, FictionThemes Emotions/Behavior: Conflict, Emotions/Behavior: Courage, Emotions/Behavior: Determination / Perseverance, Emotions/Behavior: Hope, Emotions/Behavior: Regret, Identity: Gender, Identity: Masculinity, Identity: Race, Society: Class, Society: Colonialism, Society: Nation, Society: WarTags African American Literature, History: World, Historical Fiction, Military / War, History: African

Publication year 1942Genre Play, FictionThemes Emotions/Behavior: Hope, Emotions/Behavior: Determination / Perseverance, Society: War, Relationships: Family, Life/Time: The Future, Life/Time: The Past, Identity: Sexuality, Emotions/Behavior: Hate & Anger, Values/Ideas: Good & Evil, Values/Ideas: Religion & SpiritualityTags Play: Drama, Allegory / Fable / Parable, WWII / World War II, Education, Education, American Literature, Drama / Tragedy, Fantasy, Classic Fiction

Thornton Wilder’s dramatic masterpiece, The Skin of Our Teeth, opened on Broadway in November of 1942, less than a year after the United States entered World War II. On the heels of the Great Depression (1929-1939), the war meant more sacrifice and hardship for the average American family, and another era of fear, loss, and anxiety about the future of humanity. The play is a satirical allegory for the human race’s seemingly indomitable will to... Read The Skin of Our Teeth Summary


Publication year 1923Genre Short Story, FictionThemes Society: War, Relationships: Family, Emotions/Behavior: GuiltTags Historical Fiction, Military / War, Irish Literature, Drama / Tragedy, Education, Education, History: World, Classic Fiction

“The Sniper” is a short story by Liam O’Flaherty. It was first published in the British socialist newspaper, The New Leader in January 1923. The story takes place within the span of a few hours during an afternoon in June 1922 (the beginning of the Irish Civil War). The Irish Civil War was a one-year struggle that began in June 1922 and concluded in May 1923.“The Sniper” portrays the experience of a Republican (rebel) sniper... Read The Sniper Summary


Publication year 2013Genre Novel, FictionThemes Relationships: Family, Emotions/Behavior: Conflict, Emotions/Behavior: Determination / Perseverance, Emotions/Behavior: Guilt, Emotions/Behavior: Loneliness, Emotions/Behavior: Regret, Identity: Femininity, Identity: Indigenous, Identity: Masculinity, Identity: Race, Life/Time: The Past, Natural World: Environment, Natural World: Place, Relationships: Daughters & Sons, Relationships: Fathers, Relationships: Grandparents, Society: Class, Society: Colonialism, Society: Community, Society: Nation, Society: War, Values/Ideas: Fate, Values/Ideas: Power & Greed, Values/Ideas: Win & LoseTags Historical Fiction, Western, History: U.S., History: World

Publication year 1095Genre Poem, FictionThemes Values/Ideas: Win & Lose, Values/Ideas: Safety & Danger, Values/Ideas: Religion & Spirituality, Values/Ideas: Loyalty & Betrayal, Values/Ideas: Good & Evil, Society: War, Society: Nation, Emotions/Behavior: CourageTags Medieval Literature / Middle Ages, Narrative / Epic Poem, Military / War, History: European, Trauma / Abuse / Violence, French Literature

Composed at the turn of the 12th century, La Chanson de Roland (translated as The Song of Roland) recounts the events surrounding the Battle of Roncevaux Pass in 778 CE. The Song of Roland is likely the oldest surviving poem in French and was immensely popular across Europe during the Middle Ages. The poem establishes many tropes and themes that have come to characterize medieval chivalric romances, but Roland is also an epic poem in... Read The Song of Roland Summary


Publication year 1987Genre Novel, FictionThemes Emotions/Behavior: Memory, Society: WarTags Military / War, Education, Education, Asian Literature, History: World, Historical Fiction

The Sorrow of War: A Novel of North Vietnam, by Bao Ninh, was first published in Vietnam in 1991; its first English translation came in 1993. Bao was born in Hanoi, Vietnam, in 1952. During the Vietnam War, he served with the Glorious 27th Youth Brigade. Of the 500 people who went to war with the brigade in 1969, he is one of only ten who survived. The Sorrow of War was originally published against... Read The Sorrow of War Summary


Publication year 1963Genre Novel, FictionThemes Society: War, Society: Nation, Society: ClassTags Mystery / Crime Fiction, Classic Fiction, Horror / Thriller / Suspense Fiction, Historical Fiction, Cold War

The Spy Who Came in from the Cold is a 1963 novel by John le Carré, the pen name of the English author David Cornwell (1931-2020). Le Carré worked for British Intelligence, including a brief period as a secret agent in Germany. He also began writing novels during this time, and chose a pseudonym to preserve his cover. The Spy Who Came in from the Cold, his third novel, achieved widespread popularity, allowing Le Carré... Read The Spy Who Came in from the Cold Summary


Publication year 1917Genre Book, NonfictionThemes Society: Class, Society: War, Society: Economics, Society: Politics & Government, Values/Ideas: Equality, Values/Ideas: Power & GreedTags Politics / Government, Philosophy, History: European, Russian Literature, Business / Economics, History: World, Philosophy, Classic Fiction

Publication year 2024Genre Novel, FictionThemes Society: War, Relationships: Family, Society: Colonialism, Relationships: Mothers, Identity: GenderTags Historical Fiction, WWII / World War II, Survival Fiction, Military / War, Asian Literature, History: World

Publication year 2002Genre Novel, FictionThemes Society: War, Emotions/Behavior: Fear, Relationships: Marriage, Society: Community, Society: Politics & GovernmentTags Historical Fiction, Trauma / Abuse / Violence

The Swallows of Kabul (2002) is the 11th published work by Mohammed Moulessehoul. It is published under the pen name Yasmina Khadra, derived from Moulessehoul’s wife’s first two names, to circumvent military censorship of works published by soldiers. Moulessehoul has written extensively regarding his experiences in the military as an Algerian, exploring themes and events across the Arab and French worlds. The Swallows of Kabul is a work of historical fiction, taking place during the... Read The Swallows of Kabul Summary


Publication year 2021Genre Novel, FictionThemes Emotions/Behavior: Guilt, Emotions/Behavior: Memory, Identity: Masculinity, Identity: Race, Identity: Sexuality, Life/Time: The Past, Relationships: Marriage, Relationships: Daughters & Sons, Society: Community, Society: War, Values/Ideas: Safety & Danger, Natural World: Flora/plantsTags Historical Fiction, LGBTQ, Race / Racism, American Civil War, African American Literature, Grief / Death, History: U.S., Love / Sexuality, Post-War Era, Military / War, History: World

Publication year 2019Genre Novel, FictionThemes Emotions/Behavior: Regret, Identity: Femininity, Life/Time: Coming of Age, Life/Time: Mortality & Death, Relationships: Marriage, Society: Class, Society: Community, Society: Politics & Government, Society: War, Values/Ideas: Truth & LiesTags Fantasy, Science-Fiction / Dystopian Fiction, Asian Literature

Publication year 1984Genre Novel, FictionThemes Emotions/Behavior: Conflict, Emotions/Behavior: Courage, Emotions/Behavior: Determination / Perseverance, Emotions/Behavior: Fear, Emotions/Behavior: Grief, Emotions/Behavior: Hate & Anger, Emotions/Behavior: Hope, Emotions/Behavior: Love, Emotions/Behavior: Memory, Values/Ideas: Good & Evil, Values/Ideas: Loyalty & Betrayal, Values/Ideas: Order & Chaos, Values/Ideas: Safety & Danger, Values/Ideas: Power & Greed, Values/Ideas: Religion & Spirituality, Values/Ideas: Fate, Values/Ideas: Trust & Doubt, Values/Ideas: Truth & Lies, Life/Time: Childhood & Youth, Life/Time: Coming of Age, Relationships: Friendship, Relationships: Mothers, Life/Time: Mortality & Death, Life/Time: The Past, Life/Time: The Future, Natural World: Appearance & Reality, Natural World: Animals, Natural World: Space & The Universe, Society: War, Relationships: FamilyTags Horror / Thriller / Suspense Fiction, Fantasy, Coming of Age / Bildungsroman, Action / Adventure

The Talisman is a 1984 novel co-written by Stephen King and Peter Straub. It is a fantasy novel with horror elements and has connections to the works in King’s Dark Tower series. The Talisman is a road trip book that tells the story of Jack Sawyer and his quest to save his mother. The Talisman examines themes of lost innocence, coming of age, friendship, the corrupting nature of power, and more.The Talisman has a sequel... Read The Talisman Summary


Publication year 2018Genre Novel, FictionThemes Society: War, Relationships: Fathers, Values/Ideas: Loyalty & BetrayalTags Horror / Thriller / Suspense Fiction, Mystery / Crime Fiction, Military / War

Publication year 2003Genre Short Story, FictionThemes Emotions/Behavior: Memory, Society: War, Values/Ideas: Literature, Natural World: Appearance & RealityTags Realistic Fiction, WWII / World War II, Science-Fiction / Dystopian Fiction, Education, Education, Horror / Thriller / Suspense Fiction, Historical Fiction, Fantasy, Classic Fiction

English academic and writer A. S. Byatt uses the Blitz—Nazi Germany’s bombing campaign against London and other British cities—as the context for her short story “The Thing in the Forest,” which was first published in The New Yorker in January 2002. This work of historical fiction is one of many by the acclaimed author and critic, whose historiographic, metafictional novel Possession won the Booker Prize in 1990. This study guide uses the 2011 Kindle Edition... Read The Thing in the Forest Summary


Publication year 1990Genre Short Story Collection, FictionThemes Society: WarTags Military / War, American Literature, Creative Nonfiction, Vietnam War, Education, Education, History: World, Historical Fiction, Classic Fiction

Published in 1990, The Things They Carried is a collection of interrelated short stories about the Vietnam War written by American author Tim O’Brien. The historical fiction collection is considered essential literature about the Vietnam War and is often used to teach fiction writing techniques. An authorial persona, Tim O’Brien, narrates the stories in the first-person about his experiences during the war. The collection explores themes of Survivor’s Guilt, Talking as a Way of Processing... Read The Things They Carried Summary


Publication year 2022Genre Novel, FictionThemes Identity: Race, Society: Community, Society: Politics & Government, Society: War, Values/Ideas: Justice & InjusticeTags Jewish Literature, Military / War, History: World, Historical Fiction

Publication year 2006Genre Novel, FictionThemes Values/Ideas: Science & Technology, Society: Politics & Government, Natural World: Appearance & Reality, Society: Community, Emotions/Behavior: Determination / Perseverance, Society: WarTags Science-Fiction / Dystopian Fiction, Fantasy, Chinese Literature, Anthropology, Climate Change, Politics / Government, Science / Nature, Technology, History: Asian

Publication year 1959Genre Novel, FictionThemes Emotions/Behavior: Guilt, Emotions/Behavior: Regret, Society: War, Relationships: Family, Emotions/Behavior: MemoryTags Magical Realism, Historical Fiction, Military / War, Trauma / Abuse / Violence, German Literature, Classic Fiction

The Tin Drum is a 1959 novel by German author Gunther Grass. In the novel, a man named Oskar tells the story of his life, particularly focusing on his experiences during World War II. The novel employs satire, absurdism, magical realism, and allegory to wrestle with the pain and trauma of life under Nazi rule. The Tin Drum was adapted into an Oscar-winning film in 1979 and has been hailed as a landmark in literary... Read The Tin Drum Summary


Publication year 2001Genre Reference/Text Book, NonfictionThemes Society: War, Society: Politics & Government, Values/Ideas: Power & Greed, Values/Ideas: Order & ChaosTags Politics / Government, Military / War, Education, Education, History: World, Philosophy, Philosophy

Publication year 1963Genre Autobiography / Memoir, NonfictionThemes Emotions/Behavior: Determination / Perseverance, Emotions/Behavior: Fear, Emotions/Behavior: Grief, Emotions/Behavior: Nostalgia, Life/Time: The Past, Relationships: Friendship, Society: War

Publication year 1954Genre Novel, FictionThemes Emotions/Behavior: Hope, Relationships: Friendship, Values/Ideas: Good & Evil, Self Discovery, Emotions/Behavior: Determination / Perseverance, Society: War, Natural World: Appearance & RealityTags Fantasy, Classic Fiction, Science-Fiction / Dystopian Fiction, Action / Adventure

The Two Towers (1954) is the second book of the Lord of the Rings trilogy by J. R. R. Tolkien. The Two Towers is a work of fantasy fiction set in the world of Middle-earth, the setting that Tolkien also used in his earlier 1937 novel, The Hobbit. It continues the quest of Frodo and his companions to destroy the One Ring that they set out on in The Fellowship of the Ring, interweaving the... Read The Two Towers Summary


Publication year 1972Genre Novel, FictionThemes Emotions/Behavior: Courage, Emotions/Behavior: Determination / Perseverance, Emotions/Behavior: Hope, Identity: Mental Health, Identity: Race, Life/Time: Childhood & Youth, Life/Time: Coming of Age, Life/Time: Mortality & Death, Relationships: Family, Relationships: Friendship, Relationships: Siblings, Self Discovery, Society: Community, Society: Politics & Government, Society: War, Values/Ideas: Beauty, Values/Ideas: Equality, Values/Ideas: Fate, Values/Ideas: Good & Evil, Values/Ideas: Justice & Injustice, Values/Ideas: Loyalty & Betrayal, Values/Ideas: Power & Greed, Values/Ideas: Safety & DangerTags Auto/Biographical Fiction, Historical Fiction, Survival Fiction, WWII / World War II, Holocaust, Children's Literature, Jewish Literature, Military / War, History: World

The Upstairs Room (1972) is a novel based on the experiences of author Johanna Reiss as a Jewish girl during World War II. The novel follows protagonist Annie de Leeuw and her sister Sini as they hide from the Nazis during the German occupation of Holland. Annie’s story, which is told from her first-person perspective, celebrates human resilience and compassion while exploring themes concerning the loss of childhood innocence, the sacrifices people make during wartime... Read The Upstairs Room Summary


Publication year 2021Genre Novel, FictionThemes Values/Ideas: Art, Self Discovery, Emotions/Behavior: Love, Relationships: Family, Society: War, Values/Ideas: Loyalty & BetrayalTags Historical Fiction, Romance, Mystery / Crime Fiction, WWII / World War II, Military / War, Italian Literature, History: World, Arts / Culture

Publication year 2024Genre Novel, FictionThemes Emotions/Behavior: Determination / Perseverance, Emotions/Behavior: Grief, Society: WarTags Historical Fiction, Fantasy, Action / Adventure, Horror / Thriller / Suspense Fiction, History: World, Magical Realism, Religion / Spirituality

Publication year 1981Genre Novel, FictionThemes Society: War, Society: Politics & Government, Emotions/Behavior: Courage, Society: Class, Society: NationTags Historical Fiction, Latin American Literature, Classic Fiction

Publication year 2022Genre Novel, FictionThemes Emotions/Behavior: Conflict, Emotions/Behavior: Love, Society: War, Values/Ideas: Power & GreedTags Romance, Fantasy, New Adult, Science-Fiction / Dystopian Fiction, Religion / Spirituality

Publication year 1905Genre Short Story, FictionThemes Society: War, Values/Ideas: Religion & Spirituality, Society: NationTags Classic Fiction, Religion / Spirituality, American Literature, Education, Education, Military / War, Philosophy, Philosophy, Politics / Government

Publication year 1977Genre Novel, FictionThemes Relationships: Family, Society: WarTags Military / War, Education, Education, History: World, Historical Fiction, Canadian Literature, WWI / World War I, Classic Fiction

The Wars by Timothy Findley is a 1977 novel about Robert Ross, a young Canadian officer who enlists in the military and fights in the First World War. The novel uses first, second, and third person narrative points of view. By switching between the different perspectives, the novel gives the reader the sense that they are a historian searching through archives, looking at photographs, and interviewing people from Robert’s life. The book is an example... Read The Wars Summary


Publication year 2015Genre Book, NonfictionThemes Identity: Race, Society: Nation, Society: Politics & Government, Society: War, Values/Ideas: Justice & InjusticeTags American Civil War, History: World, History: U.S., Military / War, Politics / Government

Publication year 2005Genre Poem, NonfictionThemes Society: WarTags Lyric Poem, Military / War, Trauma / Abuse / Violence, History: World, Modern Classic Fiction

Publication year 2019Genre Novel, FictionThemes Relationships: Marriage, Society: Class, Society: Community, Society: War, Self DiscoveryTags British Literature, WWII / World War II, Military / War, History: World, Historical Fiction, Romance

Publication year 2007Genre Novel, FictionThemes Relationships: Friendship, Society: War, Life/Time: Coming of Age, Relationships: FamilyTags Historical Fiction, History: U.S., Vietnam War, Children's Literature, Realistic Fiction, History: World, Humor

Gary Schmidt’s middle grade novel, The Wednesday Wars, follows seventh grader Holling Hoodhood as he navigates the difficulties of junior high in the late 1960s. Published in 2007, Schmidt’s novel blends historical fiction with a coming-of-age theme, and was given the Newbery Medal in 2008. Other works by Schmidt include Lizzie Bright and the Buckminster Boy (2004), Okay for Now (2011), and The Labors of Hercules Beal (2023).This guide refers to the Clarion Books 2009... Read The Wednesday Wars Summary


Publication year 2022Genre Novel, FictionThemes Relationships: Family, Emotions/Behavior: Courage, Life/Time: Coming of Age, Self Discovery, Society: Class, Society: War, Values/Ideas: Equality, Values/Ideas: LiteratureTags Historical Fiction, Coming of Age / Bildungsroman, Military / War, WWII / World War II, British Literature, History: World

Publication year 1995Genre Novel, FictionThemes Society: War, Values/Ideas: Beauty, Values/Ideas: Religion & SpiritualityTags Fantasy, Historical Fiction, Mythology, Action / Adventure, Military / War, Medieval Literature / Middle Ages, History: World

The Winter King is a 1995 novel by Bernard Cornwell. It is the first volume of the Warlord Chronicles series, a reimagining of the legend of King Arthur stripped of magic and romance and instead steeped in the grim realities of Britain after the fall of the Roman Empire. It was followed up by Enemy of God (1996) and Excalibur (1997). By the time Cornwell published The Winter King, he had established his reputation as... Read The Winter King Summary


Publication year 2024Genre Novel, FictionThemes Society: War, Emotions/Behavior: Courage, Emotions/Behavior: Determination / Perseverance, Emotions/Behavior: Shame & Pride, Identity: Femininity, Life/Time: Mortality & Death, Relationships: Family, Relationships: Friendship, Self Discovery, Values/Ideas: Safety & DangerTags Historical Fiction, Gender / Feminism, Trauma / Abuse / Violence, Military / War, History: World, Romance

Publication year 2021Genre Novel, FictionThemes Identity: Femininity, Relationships: Marriage, Society: Class, Society: Nation, Society: Politics & Government, Society: WarTags Historical Fiction, Military / War, WWI / World War I, WWII / World War II, History: World, French Literature

Publication year 1942Genre Autobiography / Memoir, NonfictionThemes Society: War, Society: Nation, Life/Time: The PastTags WWI / World War I, WWII / World War II, Military / War, History: World, Biography

Publication year 2021Genre Novel, FictionThemes Relationships: Family, Society: War, Relationships: Friendship, Relationships: Fathers, Values/Ideas: Truth & LiesTags Coming of Age / Bildungsroman, Historical Fiction, Vietnam War, Trauma / Abuse / Violence, Military / War, Modern Classic Fiction, History: World

Publication year 2012Genre Novel, FictionThemes Values/Ideas: Truth & Lies, Society: War, Emotions/Behavior: MemoryTags Military / War, Modern Classic Fiction, Historical Fiction

Told as a retrospective narrative after the narrator, Bart (John Bartle’s), part in the Iraq war is over, The Yellow Birds by Kevin Powers, published in 2012 and Finalist for the National Book Award, begins with Bart and the rest of his platoon holding a position atop a building outside of a town called Al Tafar, Iraq, the locale at the novel’s center. Over the course of the novel, subsequent chapters will move backward and... Read The Yellow Birds Summary


Publication year 2005Genre Autobiography / Memoir, NonfictionThemes Emotions/Behavior: Determination / Perseverance, Life/Time: Childhood & Youth, Society: Immigration, Society: War, Values/Ideas: Safety & DangerTags Education, Education, Military / War, History: World, Biography

Publication year 2020Genre Novel, FictionThemes Relationships: Family, Emotions/Behavior: Courage, Emotions/Behavior: Determination / Perseverance, Emotions/Behavior: Fear, Emotions/Behavior: Grief, Emotions/Behavior: Guilt, Emotions/Behavior: Hate & Anger, Emotions/Behavior: Love, Emotions/Behavior: Memory, Life/Time: Mortality & Death, Relationships: Marriage, Relationships: Siblings, Society: War, Values/Ideas: Good & Evil, Values/Ideas: Justice & Injustice, Values/Ideas: Truth & LiesTags Historical Fiction, WWII / World War II, Military / War, History: World

Publication year 2007Genre Biography, NonfictionThemes Emotions/Behavior: Courage, Emotions/Behavior: Hope, Society: War, Natural World: AnimalsTags WWII / World War II, Holocaust, History: European, Animals, Military / War, History: World, Biography

The Zookeeper’s Wife, by Diane AckermanThe Zookeeper’s Wife is a non-fiction narrative recounting the heroic efforts of Antonina Żabińska and her husband, Jan Żabiński, during World War II. When soldiers of the Third Reich invade Poland on September 1, 1939, Jan is the ambitious director of the Warsaw Zoo. Antonina is an amazingly gifted woman who connects emotionally with all the animals in the zoo and the multitudes of human visitors and officials drawn to... Read The Zookeeper's Wife Summary


Publication year 2020Genre Novel, FictionThemes Relationships: Friendship, Society: War, Life/Time: Coming of Age, Emotions/Behavior: Hope, Relationships: FamilyTags Historical Fiction, Coming of Age / Bildungsroman, Military / War, WWII / World War II, Holocaust, History: World

Publication year 2024Genre Novel, FictionThemes Emotions/Behavior: Conflict, Emotions/Behavior: Loneliness, Emotions/Behavior: Memory, Emotions/Behavior: Nostalgia, Identity: Indigenous, Identity: Race, Life/Time: Childhood & Youth, Life/Time: Coming of Age, Life/Time: Midlife, Life/Time: Mortality & Death, Life/Time: The Future, Life/Time: The Past, Natural World: Place, Relationships: Daughters & Sons, Relationships: Family, Relationships: Fathers, Relationships: Friendship, Relationships: Marriage, Relationships: Mothers, Relationships: Siblings, Self Discovery, Society: Colonialism, Society: Community, Society: Globalization, Society: Nation, Society: Politics & Government, Society: War, Values/Ideas: Equality, Values/Ideas: Justice & Injustice, Values/Ideas: Order & Chaos, Values/Ideas: Religion & Spirituality, Values/Ideas: Trust & Doubt, Values/Ideas: Truth & LiesTags Military / War, History: World, French Literature, Historical Fiction

Publication year 2005Genre Novel, FictionThemes Society: War, Values/Ideas: Safety & DangerTags Military / War, History: World, Historical Fiction, Canadian Literature, WWI / World War I

Three Day Road is a harrowing war narrative that details the interconnected lives of several Cree Indians during World War One. Xavier Bird and Elijah Whiskeyjack are best friends who have lived as bush Indians for most of their lives. They live with Xavier’s aunt, Niska, who has taught Xavier how to live in the old ways. Xavier, in turn, has shown Elijah. One day, the boys hear about a great war taking place in... Read Three Day Road Summary


Publication year 1976Genre Novel, FictionThemes Emotions/Behavior: Courage, Emotions/Behavior: Determination / Perseverance, Emotions/Behavior: Fear, Identity: Gender, Life/Time: Childhood & Youth, Life/Time: Coming of Age, Relationships: Daughters & Sons, Relationships: Family, Society: WarTags Children's Literature, Education, Education, History: U.S., History: World, Historical Fiction, American Revolution, Action / Adventure

Publication year 2020Genre Novel, FictionThemes Natural World: Space & The Universe, Relationships: Family, Emotions/Behavior: Conflict, Values/Ideas: Trust & Doubt, Society: War, Natural World: Flora/plants, Relationships: TeamsTags Science-Fiction / Dystopian Fiction, Fantasy

Publication year 2023Genre Novel, FictionThemes Natural World: Space & The Universe, Emotions/Behavior: Love, Identity: Gender, Emotions/Behavior: Conflict, Emotions/Behavior: Loneliness, Emotions/Behavior: Shame & Pride, Identity: Disability, Identity: Language, Identity: Mental Health, Identity: Race, Identity: Sexuality, Life/Time: Coming of Age, Life/Time: The Future, Relationships: Family, Self Discovery, Society: Class, Society: Colonialism, Society: Education, Society: Politics & Government, Society: War, Values/Ideas: Equality, Values/Ideas: Science & TechnologyTags Science-Fiction / Dystopian Fiction, LGBTQ, Fantasy

Publication year 1385Genre Novel/Book in Verse, FictionThemes Emotions/Behavior: Love, Identity: Gender, Life/Time: Coming of Age, Relationships: Marriage, Society: Class, Society: War, Values/Ideas: Beauty, Values/Ideas: Literature, Values/Ideas: Religion & SpiritualityTags Classic Fiction, Medieval Literature / Middle Ages, Narrative / Epic Poem, Romance, Military / War, Education, Education, History: World

Troilus and Criseyde is an epic poem by Geoffrey Chaucer written between 1382 and 1386 in Middle English. The poem is divided into five books and features Chaucer’s innovation, the Rhyme royal stanza form, which is a seven-line stanza in iambic pentameter with an ABABBCC rhyme scheme. The poem is set during the Trojan War and tells the tragic story of Troilus, a prince of Troy who falls in love with a young woman named... Read Troilus and Criseyde Summary


Publication year 1992Genre Biography, NonfictionThemes Values/Ideas: Justice & Injustice, Values/Ideas: Power & Greed, Society: Politics & Government, Society: War, Society: Nation, Emotions/Behavior: Determination / PerseveranceTags Politics / Government, History: U.S., WWII / World War II, Crime / Legal, History: World, Biography

Publication year 1947Genre Essay / Speech, NonfictionThemes Society: Economics, Society: War, Values/Ideas: Good & EvilTags Politics / Government, History: U.S., Cold War

Publication year 2010Genre Biography, NonfictionThemes Society: War, Emotions/Behavior: Shame & PrideTags Military / War, WWII / World War II, History: World, Biography

Unbroken: A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience, and Redemption is a biography by Laura Hillenbrand that tells the life story of Louie Zamperini, an Italian-American from Torrance, California who lived from 1917 to 2014. Published in 2010, Unbroken was a The New York Times bestseller for over four years.Plot SummaryIn his youth, Louie Zamperini was the town troublemaker, a boy who used his cunning to commit acts of petty theft and public nuisance... Read Unbroken Summary


Publication year 2014Genre Biography, NonfictionThemes Emotions/Behavior: Courage, Emotions/Behavior: Determination / Perseverance, Emotions/Behavior: Forgiveness, Life/Time: Mortality & Death, Society: War, Values/Ideas: Religion & SpiritualityTags Biography, Inspirational, History: World, Sports, Military / War, WWII / World War II

Publication year 1994Genre Novel, FictionThemes Relationships: Friendship, Society: War, Life/Time: Coming of AgeTags Children's Literature, Education, Education, Military / War, History: World, Historical Fiction, WWII / World War II, Action / Adventure, Sports

Publication year 1963Genre Novel, FictionThemes Values/Ideas: Order & Chaos, Emotions/Behavior: Apathy, Emotions/Behavior: Loneliness, Emotions/Behavior: Memory, Emotions/Behavior: Nostalgia, Identity: Disability, Life/Time: The Past, Life/Time: The Future, Natural World: Appearance & Reality, Natural World: Objects, Relationships: Fathers, Society: Colonialism, Society: War, Values/Ideas: Trust & Doubt, Values/Ideas: Truth & LiesTags American Literature, Historical Fiction, Modern Classic Fiction, Satire, Addiction / Substance Abuse, History: European, History: U.S., Military / War, Crime / Legal, Post Modernism, Post-War Era

Publication year 2023Genre Novel, FictionThemes Emotions/Behavior: Love, Emotions/Behavior: Grief, Society: War, Natural World: Place, Society: ColonialismTags Historical Fiction, Fantasy, Romance, Gothic Literature, Science-Fiction / Dystopian Fiction, Horror / Thriller / Suspense Fiction, History: World, Religion / Spirituality

Publication year 2015Genre Play, FictionThemes Emotions/Behavior: Courage, Emotions/Behavior: Determination / Perseverance, Emotions/Behavior: Hope, Emotions/Behavior: Love, Emotions/Behavior: Memory, Emotions/Behavior: Regret, Identity: Language, Identity: Race, Life/Time: The Future, Life/Time: The Past, Relationships: Family, Relationships: Friendship, Self Discovery, Society: Community, Society: Education, Society: Immigration, Society: Nation, Society: War, Values/Ideas: Fate, Values/Ideas: Justice & Injustice, Values/Ideas: Music, Values/Ideas: Safety & Danger, Values/Ideas: Trust & DoubtTags Historical Fiction, Romance, Play: Drama, Play: Comedy / Satire, Education, Education, History: World, Drama / Tragedy, Humor

Publication year 1930Genre Novel, FictionThemes Society: Class, Society: Economics, Society: WarTags Satire, Classic Fiction, Humor, British Literature, Historical Fiction, History: World

Publication year 2010Genre Book, NonfictionThemes Society: War, Relationships: Teams, Life/Time: Mortality & Death, Emotions/Behavior: FearTags Military / War, History: Middle Eastern, Journalism, War On Terrorism / Iraq War, Creative Nonfiction, History: World, Psychology, Psychology, Politics / Government

War, a battle journal by best-selling reporter and filmmaker Sebastian Junger, describes a year in the rugged highlands of Afghanistan with a platoon of American soldiers who face the worst fighting and toughest conditions of any unit in the US military. Published in 2010, the book describes months of mind-numbing danger, multiple firefights per day, injuries and deaths, and matter-of-fact heroism. The men display extreme toughness, gallows humor, and intense mutual loyalty despite the nearly... Read War Summary


Publication year 2002Genre Book, NonfictionThemes Society: War, Society: Politics & Government, Values/Ideas: Power & GreedTags History: World, Holocaust, WWII / World War II, Education, Education, Military / War, History: European

Publication year 1867Genre Novel, FictionThemes Society: War, Values/Ideas: Order & Chaos, Relationships: MarriageTags Historical Fiction, Classic Fiction, Coming of Age / Bildungsroman, Realistic Fiction, History: European, Military / War, Philosophy, Relationships, Realism, Russian Literature, History: World

War and Peace is a historical fiction novel by Russian author Leo Tolstoy that was first published between 1865 and 1869. The story charts the alliances and wars between Russia and France at the beginning of the 19th century, following the lives of characters swept along by historical events and examining key themes like Living a Meaningful Life, The Purpose of Suffering, and History and Free Will. Heralded as one of the most important novels... Read War and Peace Summary


Publication year 2008Genre Novel, FictionThemes Emotions/Behavior: Determination / Perseverance, Emotions/Behavior: Fear, Life/Time: Childhood & Youth, Life/Time: Coming of Age, Relationships: Friendship, Society: War, Values/Ideas: Loyalty & BetrayalTags Military / War, Historical Fiction, Survival Fiction, Trauma / Abuse / Violence, Realistic Fiction, History: World

Publication year 1936Genre Novel, FictionThemes Society: War, Society: Politics & Government, Emotions/Behavior: ConflictTags Science-Fiction / Dystopian Fiction, Classic Fiction, Fantasy, Humor, Military / War, History: World

Publication year 1814Genre Novel, FictionThemes Emotions/Behavior: Conflict, Life/Time: Coming of Age, Life/Time: The Past, Society: WarTags British Literature, History: World, Historical Fiction, Action / Adventure, Classic Fiction

Sir Walter Scott’s Waverley; or, ’Tis Sixty Years Since, first published anonymously in 1814, was Scott’s first novel. Often comical and with aspects of a picaresque novel, Waverley depicts the travels of the English soldier Edward Waverley during the Jacobite uprising of 1745. Scott was a celebrated poet and writer of works such as Ivanhoe and The Lady of the Lake. He is best known for his nuanced depictions of Scottish life. Waverley was wildly... Read Waverley Summary


Publication year 2018Genre Autobiography / Memoir, NonfictionThemes Society: Immigration, Society: War, Society: Community, Values/Ideas: Safety & Danger, Identity: Femininity, Society: Politics & Government, Relationships: Family, Society: Education, Identity: Gender, Emotions/Behavior: Fear, Emotions/Behavior: Grief, Emotions/Behavior: Memory, Emotions/Behavior: Determination / Perseverance, Emotions/Behavior: ConflictTags Politics / Government, Social Justice, History: World, Immigration / Refugee, Gender / Feminism, Education, Biography

Publication year 2006Genre Novel, FictionThemes Relationships: Friendship, Society: Community, Values/Ideas: Safety & Danger, Life/Time: Coming of Age, Values/Ideas: Justice & Injustice, Identity: Race, Emotions/Behavior: Shame & Pride, Emotions/Behavior: Loneliness, Relationships: Family, Values/Ideas: Order & Chaos, Values/Ideas: Trust & Doubt, Values/Ideas: Equality, Emotions/Behavior: Fear, Society: WarTags Historical Fiction, Children's Literature, Military / War, History: World, Japanese Literature, Arts / Culture, WWII / World War II, Coming of Age / Bildungsroman

Weedflower, Cynthia Kadohata’s 2006 historical fiction young adult novel, tells the story of 12-year-old Japanese American Sumiko amid Japan’s attack on Pearl Harbor and the US government’s ensuing involvement in World War II. Kadohata depicts the conditions of Japanese internment camps from Sumiko’s perspective, providing unique insight and education on the racism that Japanese Americans faced and the US government’s poor decisions.This guide references the 2009 paperback reprint edition from Atheneum Books for Young Readers.Plot... Read Weedflower Summary


Publication year 2013Genre Poem, FictionThemes Society: War, Emotions/Behavior: ConflictTags Lyric Poem, Military / War, American Literature

Publication year 2023Genre Novel, FictionThemes Emotions/Behavior: Love, Emotions/Behavior: Determination / Perseverance, Emotions/Behavior: Grief, Identity: Race, Society: WarTags Historical Fiction, WWII / World War II, Holocaust, Jewish Literature, Military / War, History: World

Publication year 2007Genre Book, NonfictionThemes Society: Economics, Society: War, Values/Ideas: Justice & InjusticeTags American Literature, History: World, History: U.S., Politics / Government

What Hath God Wrought: The Transformation of America, 1815-1848 by American historian Daniel Walker Howe, explores the changes the United States underwent in the early 19th century. Awarded the Pulitzer Prize for History, the book was published in 2007 as part of The Oxford History of the United States. Howe’s work explores the political, military, social, economic, and cultural developments that shaped the nation. Howe does not shy away from the complexities and contradictions of... Read What Hath God Wrought Summary


Publication year 2022Genre Novella, FictionThemes Identity: Femininity, Identity: Gender, Life/Time: Mortality & Death, Natural World: Flora/plants, Natural World: Place, Society: Class, Society: War, Values/Ideas: Science & Technology, Values/Ideas: Trust & DoubtTags Fantasy, Horror / Thriller / Suspense Fiction, Historical Fiction, Gothic Literature, Mystery / Crime Fiction

Publication year 2000Genre Autobiography / Memoir, NonfictionThemes Society: Community, Society: War, Values/Ideas: Order & Chaos, Life/Time: Coming of AgeTags History: Asian, Military / War, History: World, Action / Adventure, Biography

Chanrithy Him’s memoir, When Broken Glass Floats: Growing Up Under the Khmer Rouge, was first published in 2000. This study guide refers to the 2001 Kindle edition. In the text Him details her experiences as a young child in Cambodia. Him was only five when the autocratic communist Khmer Rouge took over the country, and she recounts the trauma she endured during the five years the regime remained in power. Him’s father was beaten to... Read When Broken Glass Floats Summary


Publication year 1989Genre Autobiography / Memoir, NonfictionThemes Relationships: Family, Society: Colonialism, Society: War, Values/Ideas: Safety & DangerTags History: Asian, Vietnam War, Immigration / Refugee, Politics / Government, Military / War, History: World, Biography

Publication year 1999Genre Short Story, FictionThemes Relationships: Friendship, Emotions/Behavior: Nostalgia, Relationships: Family, Life/Time: Coming of Age, Society: Immigration, Society: WarTags Trauma / Abuse / Violence, Historical Fiction

Publication year 2008Genre Novel, FictionThemes Emotions/Behavior: Grief, Emotions/Behavior: Hate & Anger, Life/Time: The Past, Relationships: Family, Relationships: Friendship, Society: War, Values/Ideas: Justice & Injustice, Values/Ideas: Loyalty & BetrayalTags Children's Literature, WWII / World War II, Military / War, History: World, Historical Fiction

Publication year 2023Genre Novel, FictionThemes Emotions/Behavior: Conflict, Emotions/Behavior: Courage, Emotions/Behavior: Determination / Perseverance, Life/Time: The Past, Natural World: Place, Relationships: Friendship, Relationships: Marriage, Self Discovery, Society: Community, Society: Nation, Society: Politics & Government, Society: War, Values/Ideas: Equality, Values/Ideas: Fate, Values/Ideas: Justice & Injustice, Values/Ideas: Loyalty & Betrayal, Values/Ideas: Order & Chaos, Values/Ideas: Power & Greed, Values/Ideas: Religion & Spirituality, Values/Ideas: Safety & Danger, Values/Ideas: Trust & Doubt, Values/Ideas: Truth & Lies, Values/Ideas: Win & Lose

Publication year 2009Genre Biography, NonfictionThemes Society: WarTags Military / War, War On Terrorism / Iraq War, Sports, History: World, Biography, Politics / Government

Where Men Win Glory: The Odyssey of Pat Tillman is a nonfiction book published in 2009 by the American journalist Jon Krakauer. It details the true story of Pat Tillman, a professional American football player who left his sports career to enlist in the army after the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. In 2004, Tillman died in Afghanistan as a result of friendly fire. Krakauer is known for his Outside magazine articles and several... Read Where Men Win Glory Summary


Publication year 2019Genre Graphic Novel/Book, FictionThemes Identity: Disability, Life/Time: Mortality & Death, Values/Ideas: Safety & Danger, Life/Time: Childhood & Youth, Life/Time: Coming of Age, Relationships: Friendship, Emotions/Behavior: Memory, Life/Time: The Past, Emotions/Behavior: Fear, Relationships: Family, Society: War, Emotions/Behavior: Grief, Emotions/Behavior: Conflict, Relationships: Fathers, Values/Ideas: Justice & Injustice, Values/Ideas: Good & Evil, Values/Ideas: Power & Greed, Society: Politics & Government, Values/Ideas: Trust & Doubt, Emotions/Behavior: Hope, Emotions/Behavior: Gratitude, Emotions/Behavior: Loneliness, Values/Ideas: Loyalty & Betrayal, Natural World: Appearance & Reality, Society: NationTags Historical Fiction, Children's Literature, Drama / Tragedy, WWII / World War II, Holocaust, Military / War, History: World

Publication year 2023Genre Biography, NonfictionThemes Values/Ideas: Literature, Emotions/Behavior: Memory, Identity: Femininity, Relationships: Marriage, Society: War, Values/Ideas: Justice & Injustice, Values/Ideas: Truth & LiesTags Gender / Feminism, Women's Studies (Nonfiction)

Publication year 2010Genre Novel, FictionThemes Society: War, Relationships: Family, Relationships: Mothers, Emotions/Behavior: Memory, Life/Time: The Past, Emotions/Behavior: Grief, Emotions/Behavior: Determination / PerseveranceTags Historical Fiction, Romance, WWII / World War II, Russian Literature, Modern Classic Fiction, History: World

Publication year 1981Genre Autobiography / Memoir, NonfictionThemes Society: WarTags WWII / World War II, Military / War, History: U.S., History: World, Biography

E.B. Sledge’s memoir recounts his experiences fighting in the South Pacific during World War II. Serving in the First Marine Division, he was present at the some of the deadliest battles of that war. The book begins with the author’s experiences being trained as a new marine recruit, enduring boot camp and mortar man training. He then vividly describes his participation in two seminal conflicts of the Pacific campaign: Peleliu and Okinawa. Written in a... Read With the Old Breed Summary


Publication year 1952Genre Autobiography / Memoir, NonfictionThemes Emotions/Behavior: Conflict, Emotions/Behavior: Courage, Life/Time: The Past, Society: Politics & Government, Society: War, Values/Ideas: Truth & Lies, Values/Ideas: Win & Lose, Values/Ideas: Safety & Danger, Values/Ideas: Good & EvilTags History: U.S., Cold War, Politics / Government, Philosophy, Christian literature, History: World, Philosophy, Classic Fiction, Biography

Publication year 2014Genre Book, NonfictionThemes Society: Economics, Values/Ideas: Power & Greed, Society: Politics & Government, Values/Ideas: Order & Chaos, Society: WarTags Politics / Government, History: World, Science / Nature, Business / Economics, Philosophy, Philosophy

Publication year 2006Genre Novel, FictionThemes Emotions/Behavior: Apathy, Emotions/Behavior: Conflict, Emotions/Behavior: Courage, Emotions/Behavior: Determination / Perseverance, Emotions/Behavior: Fear, Emotions/Behavior: Guilt, Emotions/Behavior: Hope, Life/Time: Mortality & Death, Life/Time: The Future, Natural World: Environment, Society: Community, Society: Education, Society: Nation, Society: Class, Society: Politics & Government, Society: War, Values/Ideas: Art, Values/Ideas: Fame, Values/Ideas: Truth & Lies, Values/Ideas: Beauty, Values/Ideas: Good & Evil, Values/Ideas: Order & Chaos, Values/Ideas: Power & Greed, Values/Ideas: Safety & DangerTags Science-Fiction / Dystopian Fiction, Horror / Thriller / Suspense Fiction, Fantasy, Class, Disability, Depression / Suicide, Leadership/Organization/Management, Military / War, Trauma / Abuse / Violence, Politics / Government

World War Z: An Oral History of the Zombie War is a horror fiction novel by Max Brooks published in 2006. The book was a critical and commercial success, generally receiving positive reviews and spending several weeks on The New York Times bestseller list. It has sold millions of copies around the world and was subsequently turned into a successful movie starring Brad Pitt, released in 2013, and a highly rated video game, released in... Read World War Z Summary


Publication year 1968Genre Book, NonfictionThemes Society: Community, Society: War, Values/Ideas: Religion & SpiritualityTags Anthropology

Publication year 2006Genre Novel, FictionThemes Society: War, Emotions/Behavior: Courage, Emotions/Behavior: Fear, Emotions/Behavior: Guilt, Life/Time: Childhood & Youth, Life/Time: Mortality & Death, Values/Ideas: Safety & DangerTags Historical Fiction, Holocaust, WWII / World War II, Children's Literature, Military / War, History: World

Publication year 2024Genre Short Story Collection, FictionThemes Emotions/Behavior: Conflict, Emotions/Behavior: Determination / Perseverance, Emotions/Behavior: Fear, Emotions/Behavior: Gratitude, Emotions/Behavior: Grief, Emotions/Behavior: Hate & Anger, Emotions/Behavior: Hope, Emotions/Behavior: Love, Emotions/Behavior: Memory, Identity: Mental Health, Life/Time: Aging, Life/Time: Mortality & Death, Natural World: Animals, Relationships: Daughters & Sons, Relationships: Family, Relationships: Fathers, Relationships: Grandparents, Society: Community, Society: War, Values/Ideas: Fame, Values/Ideas: Fate, Values/Ideas: Good & Evil, Values/Ideas: Justice & Injustice, Values/Ideas: Order & Chaos, Values/Ideas: Safety & Danger, Values/Ideas: Truth & Lies, Self Discovery