In English classes nationwide, Harper Lee’s To Kill A Mockingbird has long been the standard for discussions surrounding racial injustice. This significant novel, narrated through the eyes of a white child, follows a white lawyer who defends a black man falsely accused of rape. While it tackles crucial themes of race, class, gender, and tolerance, it raises the question: is it still the most relevant choice in today’s context?
With the heightened awareness of racial issues and the ongoing conversations about white privilege and anti-racism, we must consider whether this classic adequately represents diverse perspectives. White students predominantly engage with a white character’s experiences, while black students often find their own narratives absent from the literature. This reality calls for the introduction of fresh voices and stories in high school curriculums—specifically those by black authors featuring black protagonists, where the white savior trope is absent.
We Need Diverse Books is an invaluable resource for educators seeking diverse literature. Here are seven recommendations that should be included in high school reading lists:
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The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas
Sixteen-year-old Starr Carter navigates life between her impoverished, predominantly black neighborhood and her affluent, mostly white prep school. Witnessing the police shooting of her childhood friend forces her to confront the realities of her dual existence. -
All American Boys by Jason Reynolds and Brendan Kiely
This powerful narrative follows Rashad, a black teen who becomes a symbol of community outrage after an act of police brutality, and Quinn, a white student grappling with his complicity in the events. -
Dear Martin by Nic Stone
Justyce McAllister, an intelligent black student at a predominantly white school, finds his life shattered when his friend is killed by a police officer. The novel examines the complexities of race and justice through Justyce’s experience. -
Sing, Unburied, Sing by Jesmyn Ward
A poignant tale of a biracial boy named Jojo, his family, and their journey through Mississippi, this award-winning novel intertwines the past and present as they grapple with personal and historical legacies. -
Monster by Walter Dean Myers
Written in a unique format combining screenplay and journal entries, this gripping story follows sixteen-year-old Steve Harmon, who faces trial for murder, exploring themes of identity and justice. -
Brown Girl Dreaming by Jacqueline Woodson
In this poetic memoir, Woodson recounts her childhood in the 1960s and 70s in South Carolina, weaving her experiences with the Civil Rights Movement and her quest for identity. -
The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison
A timeless, harrowing narrative of eleven-year-old Pecola Breedlove, who yearns for blue eyes and blonde hair in a society that equates beauty with whiteness, this novel remains a cornerstone in discussions of race.
Books serve as crucial tools for fostering empathy and broadening perspectives. They allow readers to see themselves in various contexts and understand lives and experiences vastly different from their own. This lesson is vital for students to grasp, emphasizing the importance of diverse literature in the education system.
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In summary, integrating diverse narratives into high school curricula not only enriches students’ understanding of race and identity but also prepares them for an increasingly multifaceted world.