Resources › For Educators Top Novels for American Literature Classes Share Flipboard Email Print For Educators Teaching Teaching Resources An Introduction to Teaching Tips & Strategies Policies & Discipline Community Involvement School Administration Technology in the Classroom Teaching Adult Learners Issues In Education Becoming A Teacher Assessments & Tests Elementary Education Secondary Education Special Education Homeschooling By Melissa Kelly Melissa Kelly Education Expert M.Ed., Curriculum and Instruction, University of Florida B.A., History, University of Florida Melissa Kelly, M.Ed., is a secondary school teacher, instructional designer, and the author of "The Everything New Teacher Book: A Survival Guide for the First Year and Beyond." Learn about our Editorial Process Updated on October 14, 2019 Every school system and teacher have different methods for choosing the novels that students read each year of high school. Here is a list detailing some of the most frequently taught American Literature novels in classrooms today. The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn Amazon.com Mark Twain's (Samuel Clemen's) classic novel is a must for all students studying American humor and satire. While banned in some school districts, it is a widely read and appreciated novel. The Scarlet Letter Amazon.com Hester Prynne was marked in scarlet for her indiscretions. Students connect with this classic novel by Nathaniel Hawthorne, and it's great for discussion. To Kill a Mockingbird Amazon.com Harper Lee's awesome novel of the Deep South in the midst of the Depression is always an excellent choice for high school students. The Red Badge of Courage Amazon.com Henry Fleming struggles with bravery and courage during the Civil War in this excellent book by Stephen Crane. Great for integrating history and literature. The Great Gatsby Amazon.com Can anyone think of the 'flapper' era of the 1920s without thinking of F. Scott Fitzgerald's "The Great Gatsby?" Students and teachers alike find this era in history fascinating. The Grapes of Wrath Amazon.com John Steinbeck's tale of Dust Bowl victims traveling west for a better life is a classic look at life during the Great Depression. The Call of the Wild Amazon.com Told from Buck the dog's point of view, "The Call of the Wild" is Jack London's masterpiece of self-reflection and identity. Invisible Man: A Novel Amazon.com Ralph Ellison's classic novel about racial prejudice should not be missed. Many of the problems that his narrator faces throughout the novel sadly are still present in America today. A Farewell to Arms Amazon.com One of the best novels of World War I, Ernest Hemingway tells of the war as a backdrop to a love story between an American ambulance driver and an English nurse. Fahrenheit 451 Amazon.com Ray Bradbury's classic 'novelette' portrays a futuristic world where firemen start fires instead of putting them out. They burn books. Students enjoy this quick read that packs a huge psychological punch. Cite this Article Format mla apa chicago Your Citation Kelly, Melissa. "Top Novels for American Literature Classes." ThoughtCo, Aug. 27, 2020, thoughtco.com/novels-for-american-literature-classes-8107. Kelly, Melissa. (2020, August 27). Top Novels for American Literature Classes. Retrieved from https://www.thoughtco.com/novels-for-american-literature-classes-8107 Kelly, Melissa. "Top Novels for American Literature Classes." ThoughtCo. https://www.thoughtco.com/novels-for-american-literature-classes-8107 (accessed May 30, 2023). copy citation