CW / Carter Copeland The Tuscaloosa Public Library, photographed at dusk on Jan. 27, 2026The literary canon is a hot debate in academia, but the American classroom has its favorites: The “Outsiders” by S.E. While each novel taught in English class has its own characters and plot, there are common themes that expand students’ understanding of humanity and society. My second recommendation for the middle school classroom is “The Hunger Games” by Suzanne Collins, 2008. Bringing together the complications of race relations, dystopian themes, poverty and human nature, my oldest pick, from 1993, is “Parable of the Sower” by Octavia Butler. Each of my selections touch on very real issues in America while exploring and expanding upon the traditional themes of the American classroom.