INDEPENDENT READING OPTIONS: FIRST SEMESTER 1984 (GEORGE ORWELL) British dystopian novel 328 pages Published in 1949 Focuses on a mans struggle with his controlling government, where an organization called Big Brother watches everyones actions and punishes those who do not conform; was futuristic at time of writing ADVENTURES OF HUCK FINN (MARK TWAIN) American historical satirical novel 224 pages Published in 1884 Focuses on a boys journey to adulthood as he runs away from abuse, questions the morality of slavery, and learns to judge people by their actions; was written after Civil War, to expose continuing racial prejudice in Americans THE AWAKENING (KATE CHOPIN) American coming-of-age morality novel 128 pages Published in 1899 Focuses on a womans journey through early marriage and how to find her independence in a time period when women were dependent on husbands; considered ground-breaking feminism at time of writing BELOVED (TONI MORRISON) American historical novel with supernatural elements (ghosts) 321 pages Published in 1987 Focuses on a womans struggles to shield her family from slavery, using a ghost as a plot device and symbol for guilt, rage, and fear of being powerless COLD MOUNTAIN (CHARLES FRAZIER) American episodic (journey) romance novel 449 pages Published in 1997 Focuses on a man and woman living apart because of war, and his journey across the mountains to return to her; both characters question their commitment to each other and learn to define love FAULT IN OUR STARS (JOHN GREEN) American Young Adult contemporary novel 337 pages Published in 2012 Focuses on two teens living with cancer and how to live a full life knowing it will be much shorter than a normal life; deals with death and depression in an often-humorous way JUSTICE BURIED (HILARY THOMPSON) American Young Adult dystopian novel 243 pages Published in 2014 Focuses on a girl prophesied to save her city, and how this destiny erases her personal independence; first of a series that examines free will and social responsibility in a fantasy- based society LIGHT IN AUGUST (WILLIAM FAULKNER) American Southern morality novel 512 pages Published in 1932 Focuses on a mixed-race mans search for personal identity when he has no family or community ties; multiple characters are used to explore the idea of identity and the different ways we struggle with our pasts RED BADGE OF COURAGE (STEPHEN CRANE) American historical realistic war novel 126 pages Published in 1895 Focuses on a young mans experience in the Civil War, and how he learns to be a man in a time of hardship; notable because it was one of the first books to tell war realistically, rather than romantically SLAUGHTERHOUSE-FIVE (KURT VONNEGUT) American satirical anti-war novel with science-fiction elements (aliens) 215 pages Published in 1969 Focuses on a mans experiences during WWII, and as a POW, as well as the fantastical journeys he has when abducted by aliens; satires war as destructive and idiotic WE WERE THE MULVANEYS (JOYCE CAROL OATES) American realistic morality novel 454 pages Published in 2001 Focuses on the downfall of a perfect family after the daughter experiences a sexual assault; told by the youngest son as he struggles to bring his large family together again and searches for forgiveness