A Little Help with the Classics, Please!

Reading classic books is considered an important part of a college-prep education. Now that my oldest child is in 8th grade, most of her assigned reading is classic books.  While most would agree that classic books are quite important to read, many teens (and adults) struggle with the vocabulary, old-fashioned language, and style of classic books.  As well, problems with comprehension and interest level can sap the enjoyment out of reading classic books and make them more difficult than they need to be.

My daughter and I started dabbling in the classics starting in 6th grade and along the way I’ve found many sources for help in understanding, appreciating, and just-plain-old-getting-through the classics.  The following list of resources and ideas is in no way exhaustive – it is simply a list of resources that I have found helpful for my teen and I in understanding and appreciating classic books.

Which classic books should my teenager read to adequately prepare for college?

Deciding which classic books to read is a difficult task, yet there are many resources available to help make your teen’s reading selections.

• Reading Lists for College-Bound Students - I highly recommend this excellent book filled with not only the most-often recommended authors and their works, but also including the suggested pre-college reading lists for over 100 colleges across the United States.
• 101 Great Books Recommended for College-Bound Readers - Excellent list found at the College Board website.
• Follow the suggestions in a literary analysis course.  Skills for Literary Analysis, American Literature, British Literature, and World Literature from For Such A Time As This are all quite rigorous, Christian literary analysis courses that include an impressive reading list as well as other suggested readings in the Appendix of each book.

Does it matter which edition of the classic book my teenager reads?

Based on our experiences, yes, it does.  While copies of classic books can easily be purchased at used bookstores, library sales, or borrowed from the library; I have found it helpful to seek out certain editions, when possible, to make the reading process a bit easier.

• Kaplan SAT Score-Raising Classics – Currently, these editions are available for The Ring of McAllister, Frankenstein, The Tales of Edgar Allen Poe, War of the Worlds, Wuthering Heights, Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, and The Scarlet Letter.  The text of the book is on one side with all SAT words in bold print.  On the other side, the SAT words are defined.
• Prestwick House Literary Touchstone Classics - I LOVE this company!  Not only are the books incredibly inexpensive, the print size is pleasing and easy-to-read, unfamiliar vocabulary is defined for each chapter, and notes are included to aid understanding of the book.
• Audio books – Some teens may benefit from listening to the book while reading along, particularly a book with a great deal of unfamiliar and difficult vocabulary.   Classic books in audio book format can be borrowed from the library or rented online.

What resources are available to help teens understand and appreciate classic books?

In short, there are TONS of resources available to help make almost any classic book more understandable, and hopefully, more enjoyable.  I know there are many, many more resources available than the short list that I am providing but these are all resources that have helped my teen and I understand and appreciate classic books.

• Cliffs Notes - While Cliffs Notes are not in any way an acceptable substitute for reading the actual classic book, I have found them very helpful, as the teacher, in understanding the chapters and the larger themes of classic books.  I also think, for a teen struggling with comprehension, it might be helpful to read each Cliffs Notes chapter summary, after reading the original text.  I have also found Cliffs Notes helpful for formulating literary essay topics.  I’ve been able to purchase stacks of these for .10 each at my local library’s book sales.
• Literary Study Guides – Literary study guides are available from a multitude of publishers for almost any classic book that you would like your teen to read.  While we don’t tend to use a lot of these resources I have been impressed by the literary study guides from Progeny Press and the Discovering Literature series.
• Watch a film adaptation after reading the book.  Netflix is a fabulous resource for renting film adaptations of classic books.  To Kill a Mockingbird and 24 More Videos is a fun teaching resource to help one use film adapations of classic books to teach teens about literary elements.

One of the unexpected benefits of homeschooling through the high school years is getting to read classic books again or for the first time.  For example, right now my daughter and I are both reading The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne for the first time.  We’re having some wonderful conversations about the book and we are both learning as we read and discuss the text.  While the books are sometimes difficult, the rewards for reading the classics are great.

What helpful hints do you have for raising appreciation and understanding for teens reading the classics?

Samantha writes about homeschooling and family life at To Be Busy At Home.  When her nose isn’t buried in a book, she’s usually in the kitchen or laundry room, actively homeschooling, or driving her children to swim team.

Photo courtesy of Free Digital Photos.

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