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In reply to the discussion: Results of my very very long "Top 5 Books for Teens" thread [View all]jtuck004
(15,882 posts)36. Bill Haywood's Book: The Autobiography of William D. Haywood
Teach them why the laws we have now exist, and what solidarity can do in the face of overwhelming force and power...
The Student as Nigger by Jerry Falwell
By Any Means Necessary (Malcolm X Speeches and Writings
-Both of these are lessons in developing class consciousness in others when their thinking is poisoned directed by TPTB, when people are using their oppressors words because they have never been exposed to another point of view, or if they have it's so similar as to be useless for analysis. These authors give them a new language to express what they have been feeling, and thus perhaps something to do about it.
Hard Times by Studs Terkel - How people ;lived in the past - might come in handy in any of today's teen's futures.
The Accounting Game: Basic Accounting Fresh from the Lemonade Stand - Part of the reason Wall Street and the people who do their bidding hold such power over everyone is because many people really don't have an understanding of basic accounting. This is a great intro, and given that he or she may well be already in their maw, or will be soon, perhaps they can learn how to defend themselves before the chewing begins.
Would hurt to take a class and build a small house, learn some things about basic electricity and welding, Those may sound like skills, but they start teaching you things about logic, planning, scale, accomplishment, in some ways similar to the Zen/Motorcycle book in purpose.
I didn't see how old the teen is, but those could/should all be read before leaving high school, I would think.
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There always must be an idealogical excuse as to why the system of the day is failing
NoOneMan
Jan 2013
#37
Bah. Not an excuse. Bankers, pimps, and their politicians are hurting people, and their behavior is
jtuck004
Jan 2013
#38
I hope you find someone to hold hands with . The rest of us have work to do. n/t
jtuck004
Jan 2013
#42
I really think the art in this is in suggesting the right book at the right time
hootinholler
Jan 2013
#5
I cut my teeth on sci fi; the F&SF in our household is why I read LOTR in 1965 at 17
Hekate
Jan 2013
#14
I make my kids read these 'classics' (insert eye roll)they hate them,call them incredibly depressing
No Compromise
Jan 2013
#19
I think it more speaks to what people have been exposed to. and the broad sweep of history
Pretzel_Warrior
Jan 2013
#27
I believe I'm looking for the whole gamut. I read Huck Finn as a 14 year old but read Animal Farm
Pretzel_Warrior
Jan 2013
#22
I just weighed in on the original thread with 'Catch 22' for juniors and seniors, and
coalition_unwilling
Jan 2013
#24
Yikes, I just asked my 16 yr old deep reader and thinker about this list and she's unimpressed
riderinthestorm
Jan 2013
#28
Wow!! Your teens love SF and Fantasy! Do they like the Golden Compass series by Phillip Pullman?
riderinthestorm
Jan 2013
#59
Pretty much anything by Maxine Hong Kingston, Alice Walker, James Baldwin, Ralph Ellison
Erose999
Jan 2013
#56
My 11 Year Old Is A Prolifilc Reader Her Pick After Winter Break: A Prayer for Owen Meany
HangOnKids
Jan 2013
#53
the old man and the sea is a must. hemmingway writes so well that you feel you are there
loli phabay
Jan 2013
#64