Improve your child's grades and confidence.

Better Curriculum. Better Results.


Scholars of Woodbridge

Readers Club

Grade 11 Core Literature List

The Grade 11 Reading List brings together powerful novels, plays, and memoirs that dive into themes of resilience, identity, societal issues, and historical context. From tales of the American Dream to deeply personal journeys, these works encourage readers to explore complex questions and examine timeless themes through a range of unique perspectives and literary styles.

Encourage your child to read for 20-30 minutes each day and fill in their weekly reading logs, which can be redeemed for exciting rewards at the Motivation Station!

Our Curated Book List:

The Grapes of Wrath

By John Steinbeck

Follow the Joad family as they embark on a harrowing journey from the Dust Bowl to California, in search of a better life during the Great Depression. Steinbeck’s novel is a powerful examination of poverty, resilience, and the American spirit, highlighting the struggle for dignity and justice in the face of adversity.


Theme: Historical Fiction, Social Justice

The Scarlet Letter

By Nathaniel Hawthorne

Set in Puritan New England, this classic novel follows Hester Prynne as she confronts the stigma of having an illegitimate child. Hawthorne’s tale explores themes of guilt, redemption, and societal judgment, painting a vivid picture of moral complexity and the cost of personal choices.

Theme: Historical Fiction, Morality

A Raisin in the Sun

By Lorraine Hansberry

In this groundbreaking play, an African American family dreams of a better life, facing struggles with racial discrimination, economic hardship, and generational conflicts. Hansberry’s work is a poignant look at resilience, identity, and the pursuit of dignity within the American dream.

Theme: Drama, Family, Social Justice

The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn

By Mark Twain

Twain’s novel follows Huck and Jim, a runaway enslaved man, as they journey down the Mississippi River, exploring themes of freedom, friendship, and moral growth. The novel presents a powerful critique of social norms and attitudes, making it both an adventure and a commentary on societal values.


Theme: Adventure, Coming of Age

For Whom the Bell Tolls

By Ernest Hemingway

Set during the Spanish Civil War, this novel follows Robert Jordan, an American dynamiter working with the Spanish guerillas. Through themes of loyalty, sacrifice, and the impact of war, Hemingway explores human endurance and the weight of duty in a story of bravery and despair.

Theme: Historical Fiction, Sacrifice

Fahrenheit 451

By Ray Bradbury

In a future society where books are banned and “firemen” burn them, Guy Montag begins to question the world he lives in. Bradbury’s novel is a timeless exploration of censorship, intellectual freedom, and the power of knowledge.

Theme: Dystopian Fiction, Freedom

The Awakening

By Kate Chopin

Chopin’s novel follows Edna Pontellier as she grapples with societal expectations and personal desires in 19th-century Louisiana. The Awakening is a groundbreaking portrayal of female independence, addressing themes of identity, liberation, and the consequences of defying social norms.

Theme: Literary Fiction, Independence

Death of a Salesman

By Arthur Miller

Willy Loman’s pursuit of the American Dream leads him to heartbreak and despair, revealing the impact of societal expectations and personal failure. Miller’s iconic play examines the complexities of success, family dynamics, and the cost of unfulfilled dreams.

Theme: Drama, American Dream

The Glass Menagerie

By Tennessee Williams

This “memory play” portrays the struggles of the Wingfield family as they grapple with ambition, hope, and the harsh realities of life. Williams’ lyrical writing captures themes of family bonds, personal illusions, and the bittersweet longing for a better future.

Theme: Drama, Family

Dear America: Letters Home from Vietnam

By Betsy Byars

This moving collection of letters from soldiers during the Vietnam War provides an intimate, firsthand account of the experiences, hopes, and fears of those who served. It’s a compelling look into the lives and sacrifices of individuals in one of the most divisive conflicts in American history.

Theme: Nonfiction, History

The Catcher in the Rye

By J.D. Salinger

Holden Caulfield, an alienated teenager, navigates the complexities of adolescence in this iconic novel. Salinger’s story captures themes of innocence, identity, and mental health, offering a raw portrayal of teenage angst and self-discovery.

Theme: Coming of Age, Identity

The Great Gatsby

By F. Scott Fitzgerald

Jay Gatsby’s pursuit of wealth and love serves as a powerful critique of the American Dream in the Jazz Age. Fitzgerald’s novel explores themes of ambition, love, and societal values, painting a tragic picture of obsession and the hollowness of material success.

Theme: Classic, American Dream

The Jungle

By Upton Sinclair

This eye-opening novel exposes the harsh conditions of immigrant workers in Chicago’s meatpacking industry. Sinclair’s powerful narrative brought about significant social change, revealing the need for reform and the dark side of the American Dream.

Theme: Social Justice, Industry

Heart of Darkness

By Joseph Conrad

Conrad’s novel takes readers deep into the African Congo, as Marlow embarks on a journey to find the enigmatic Kurtz. Through its dark exploration of colonialism, human nature, and moral ambiguity, the novel remains a profound reflection on society and self.

Theme: Colonialism, Morality

The Good Earth

By Pearl S. Buck

Set in rural China, this novel follows Wang Lung’s journey from poverty to wealth, examining themes of family, tradition, and the connection between land and identity. Buck’s narrative provides a unique glimpse into Chinese culture, celebrating resilience and the human connection to the earth.

Theme: Historical Fiction, Tradition

I Heard the Owl Call My Name

By Margaret Craven

This novel tells the story of a young priest sent to a remote Indigenous village in British Columbia, where he learns about life, death, and cultural heritage. It’s a moving exploration of spirituality, acceptance, and understanding across cultural divides.

Theme: Cultural Identity, Spirituality

The Sound and the Fury

By William Faulkner

Faulkner’s novel uses multiple perspectives to tell the story of the Compson family’s decline, blending complex narratives with themes of memory, tradition, and identity. It’s an intricate exploration of family and the passage of time.

Theme: Southern Gothic, Family

The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman

By Ernest J. Gaines

Told through the voice of Miss Jane Pittman, a former enslaved woman, this novel spans over a century of Black American history, from slavery to the civil rights movement. It’s a powerful story of endurance, freedom, and the struggle for justice.

Theme: Historical Fiction, Resilience

I Never Promised You a Rose Garden

By Joanne Greenberg

This semi-autobiographical novel portrays Deborah’s journey as she battles schizophrenia, revealing the struggles and hopes of those dealing with mental illness. Greenberg’s novel is an honest and empathetic exploration of mental health and the road to recovery.

Theme: Mental Health, Resilience

The House of the Seven Gables

By Nathaniel Hawthorne

In this haunting novel, the Pyncheon family contends with a history of guilt, curses, and secrets within their ancestral home. Hawthorne’s dark narrative explores the themes of family legacy and redemption, as well as the lasting impact of the past.

Theme: Gothic Fiction, Family

Their Eyes Were Watching God

By Zora Neale Hurston

Janie Crawford’s journey to self-discovery, love, and independence unfolds in this richly poetic novel set in the American South. Hurston’s work is a celebration of African American culture and a timeless exploration of a woman’s quest for identity.

Theme: Identity, Empowerment

Ramona

By Helen Hunt Jackson

This classic novel tells the story of Ramona, a mixed-race orphan raised in California, who confronts prejudice and injustice. Jackson’s work serves as a social commentary on the mistreatment of Native Americans and the power of love and resilience.

Theme: Historical Fiction, Social Justice

The Bourne Identity

By Robert Ludlum

Jason Bourne, an amnesiac with extraordinary skills, must unravel the mystery of his identity while evading assassins. Ludlum’s fast-paced thriller combines action with psychological intrigue, making it a riveting story of survival and suspense.

Theme: Thriller, Mystery

The Heart is a Lonely Hunter

By Carson McCullers

In a small Georgia town, lonely and marginalized characters connect with John Singer, a mute man, revealing their hopes and fears. McCullers’ novel is a profound exploration of loneliness, compassion, and the human need for connection.

Theme: Southern Gothic, Isolation

Beloved

By Toni Morrison

This Pulitzer Prize-winning novel tells the haunting story of Sethe, a formerly enslaved woman, as she grapples with the trauma of her past. Morrison’s powerful prose delves into themes of memory, identity, and the pain of loss.

Theme: Historical Fiction, Trauma

The Bluest Eye

By Toni Morrison

In 1940s America, young Pecola Breedlove yearns for blue eyes, equating them with beauty and acceptance. Morrison’s novel explores issues of race, self-worth, and societal expectations in a powerful narrative about identity and the effects of systemic prejudice.

Theme: Identity, Social Justice

Hey Reading Rangers,

Remember to log your reading every day in your Weekly Reading Log. Once completed, get it signed by a parent and redeem your points at our Motivation Station for fun rewards! Happy reading!



READY TO GIVE US A TRY?

Connect With Us

Book a complimentary assessment for your child today! Help them thrive academically with personalized support tailored to their needs. Schedule your session and join us in fostering a community where learning and local businesses grow together. We look forward to achieving great things together!

@ 2025 - Scholars of Woodbridge | All Rights Reserved