More than 1,100 readers described high school books that profoundly affected them. Assigned books broadened perspectives, accompanied readers through moves, inspired careers in English, librarianship, writing, teaching and editing, and generated tattoos, pet names and baby names. Many readers credited English teachers for assigning formative texts. Responses reflected an era when fewer female authors and writers of color were published and assigned, and readers expressed hope that current syllabuses are more diverse. Two titles emerged most often, led by To Kill a Mockingbird, whose child narrator’s perspective on racism proved eye-opening for many, prompting personal anecdotes about teachers recommending the book.
So, at the start of a new school year, with gratitude to English teachers past, present and future, here's what you told us about the books that shaped you. These dog-eared volumes got packed and unpacked every time you moved homes. They led you to become English majors, librarians, writers, teachers and editors. They inspired tattoos, pet names and baby names. Many of you shouted out the English teachers who, decades ago, pressed these texts into your hands, your heads and your hearts.
Not long after I arrived, my English teacher, sensing I was having difficulty adjusting, asked how I was doing. I told her I didn't like the humidity and that I didn't understand why all the Black kids seemed so angry. She reached for the bookshelf and handed me a copy of To Kill a Mockingbird and said: 'Read this it will help you understand.'
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