When it comes to literature, teaching the classics is important. But it’s never a bad idea to try something different once in a while, especially if you find that your students have trouble engaging with older stories. That’s why we’re always searching for new books for you to share with your students.

In 2018, we added over 35 books to our Discovering Literature collection! Here are our top 10 picks that we believe your students will love.

Ghost

As the newest member on his middle school’s elite track team, Castle “Ghost” Cranshaw aims to become the fastest sprinter he can. While he excels on the track, Ghost realizes he’s unable to outrun his troubling past. As your students race through Ghost, they will find themselves inspired by the diverse characters that make up the novel’s central cast. Order Ghost

All American Boys

Written by acclaimed authors Jason Reynolds and Brendan Kiely, All American Boys offers an unflinching look into racism and prejudice in modern America. After a black student is beaten by a police officer over a misunderstanding, the incident quickly goes viral, sparking national outrage. This timely novel will undoubtedly inspire classroom conversations about privilege, police brutality, and civil rights. Order All American Boys

Homegoing

Yaa Gyasi’s debut novel traces the stories of two Ghanaian half-sisters, one sent to America as a slave and the other raised free in Africa. As the book progresses, readers see how each sister’s descendants fare as they grow up in vastly different societies. Through its beautifully written prose, Homegoing offers powerful commentary on history, colonialism, and slavery in Ghana and America. Order Homegoing

Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet

Set in Seattle and alternating between the 1940s and the 1980s, Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet exposes readers to the harsh realities of war, immigration, assimilation, and prejudice. As Henry Lee searches for answers regarding his childhood friend’s whereabouts, he is forced to confront hard truths and promises he made years ago. Order Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet

Black Ships Before Troy

Homer's Iliad may be one of the greatest adventure stories of all time, but it isn’t very accessible to younger readers. That changes with Black Ships Before Troy, a novelized retelling of the Greek epic. Author Rosemary Sutcliff manages to preserve the original story’s complex plot using middle school-friendly language. Order Black Ships Before Troy

Milkweed

If your students enjoy books like Number the Stars and The Book Thief, then they’ll love Milkweed. This young adult novel follows an orphaned boy trapped in Nazi-occupied Warsaw at the advent of the Holocaust. It’s during this turbulent time that the boy must find his place in the world while coping with the horrific events happening around him. Order Milkweed

Like Water for Chocolate

Laura Esquivel’s love story provides the perfect introduction to Latin American literature, thanks to its rich characters and vivid depiction of Mexican culture. Although Tita loves Pedro, she’s forbidden to marry him because of her family’s strict traditions. It’s only through a turbulent series of events—and a dose of magic—that the two can be together. Because it contains mature content, this book is better suited for older readers. Order Like Water for Chocolate

Brown Girl Dreaming

Jacqueline Woodson’s moving memoir, told entirely through verse, recounts her childhood experiences growing up in the midst of the civil rights movement. Students will find Woodson’s retrospective poems a great source of inspiration, especially if they’re interested in writing stories of their own. Order Brown Girl Dreaming

Inside Out & Back Again

Inspired by the author’s experience as a refugee, this novel tells the story of Hà, a young girl who is forced to flee as the Vietnam War reaches her home in Saigon. When her family relocates to the United States, Hà struggles to adapt to her new surroundings. The novel’s free-verse format makes it a captivating read for students of all ages. Order Inside Out & Back Again

The Fixer

Political intrigue and scandalous secrets will keep your students glued to the pages of The Fixer. A student at an elite high school in Washington, DC, Tess Kendrick realizes that, much like her older sister, she has a knack for "fixing" her classmates’ problems. But when she uncovers a conspiracy that goes all the way to Capitol Hill, Tess finds herself caught up in a string of events, each one more shocking than the last. Order The Fixer

What were some of your favorite reads in 2018? Share in the comments below!