Would these books be appropriate for an 11th grader to read?

Question

For English class this year, my dad is letting me pick what I read. I have to read five books and at least one play. (For school, that is. What I read in my free time is completely up to me.) What do you think of these books? Are they on the reading level of an 11th grader, or is the content above/below an 11th grader?

I wouldn’t say I’m the brainiest kid I know, but I make fairly good grades (High B’s/Low A’s.) and am very mature for my age.

1984 by George Orwell

Spring's Awakening by Frank Wedekind

Macbeth by William Shakespeare

Walden by Henry David Thoreau

Julius Caesar by William Shakespeare

Les Misérables by Victor Hugo

Wicked by Gregory Maguire

I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou

Thank you!

Answer 1

An 11th grader should have no problem comprehending any of these books or plays. However, they might find it difficult to stay motivated to read them. Shakespeare is notoriously hard to understand for just about anyone.

Answer 2

i've read them all and i'm only 13. They are fine to read.

Answer 3

I think you have an interesting list of books.  A person your age would certainly understand all of them.  The Shakespeare plays are would probably be interesting.  Some of them I haven't read and some of them you might not enjoy.  Hope someone else who has read more of them can be of more help.  Also, you might try looking at some reviews of the books.

Answer 4

There are two on the list that I haven't read myself, so I can say.  But the rest would be fine for an 11th grader to read.

I haven't read "Springs Awakening", and I haven't read "Wicked".

Answer 5

You are completely capable of understanding all of these. Here are a few more suggestions:

"The Glass Menagerie" by Tennessee Williams.

"A Midsummer Night's Dream" by William Shakespeare." [The language may be a bit more difficult than that of the tragedies, but you also might have more fun with it.

Having communicated with you before I am certain that it is important for you to read both "Catcher in the Rye" by J.D. Salinger, and "To Kill a Mockingbird" by Harper Lee.

You will also get great value from anything by Carson Mc Cullers. Also "Lord of the Flies" offers a world-view total opposite to "Catcher."

Finally, my sentimental favorite, Jane Austen. I have read all her works at least three times. The only other work that I have gone back to so often is the Bible. But Jane Austen is more fun!

Answer 6

1984 is amazing.

but i read it in 7th grade and it was easy to grasp. so idk if you'll get bored or not.

Answer 7

Those sound good, they're similar to what I read in 11th.  I think you'll love 'em!

Answer 8

Sounds good. The idea of 'grade level' is a bit arbitrary. Do you think you'll be able to read what you picked, enjoy it, and comprehend it? If yes, then go for it.

Good choices, btw.

EDIT: St. Peter...have I found another Austrian? DiLorenzo ftw!

Answer 9

Yes  

try  also  

" the real Abraham Lincon "

Answer 10

Yes, these are all great picks. I think you will enjoy them especially if you like reading.

Answer 11

They;re fine.

Answer 12

Yeh, those are actually very decent books, which explore a wide variety of themes. You've got the necessary ones (like Shakespeare :) as well as some good contempory authors.

I'd say, go straight ahead.

Hope that helps :)

Answer 13

Those books are all wonderful classics and I really think you might enjoy them all.  You might also go to the websites called PagebyPageBooks.com or ClassicReader.com, as you will find many more books in their entireties online and the best part is that they all FREE and you can read them without having to go down to the library and wonder if they will have a copy on their shelves that is available for you to check out.

Answer 14

Macbeth is required by grade 11 students in the public and accredited private schools where I live. 1984 is on the high school list, so is Julius Caesar. The others I either haven't heard of or they are fine. You might consider Brave New World if you haven't read it already. It'd make a nice comparison to 1984.

Answer 15

they are fine, macbeth and Julius Caesar are both really good reads