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The Plucky Reader

A boy, his books, and a blog

Replacing Required Reading: Catcher in the Rye

March 24, 2023

I’m not sure if it’s because AP Exams are approaching, or because half of America is banning books in some kind of strange throwback to the 1930s, but for whatever reason, my Replacing Required Reading series has been getting a lot of traffic lately. And since this is a series I’ve enjoyed writing, I am excited to add to it and provide more options for replacing outdated required reading texts.

Graphi that reads "Replacing Required Reading. Times are changing; our reading lists should too."

The next book on the chopping block is Catcher in the Rye by JD Salinger. Now, for full transparency, I will confess this is my least favorite Salinger work. I’d gladly trade it any day. But it has earned its spot in high schools, and for many is an important book. But before I get ahead of myself, a little bit about Catcher in the Rye.

“The Catcher in the Rye,” is a classic tale of teenage angst and rebellion. It’s a book that’s been loved, hated, and debated for generations, but there’s no denying its impact on the world of literature. So, let me regale you with a synopsis of this renowned novel by J.D. Salinger. (Beware, spoilers lie ahead!)

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Replacing Required Reading – The Great Gatsby

June 28, 2021

A couple of months ago, one of my friend texted me. She’s a high school English teacher in Texas, and though she is every bit as qualified as (if not more qualified than) I am when it comes to the pedagogy of teaching English and literature, she often comes to me when she needs help solving a problem with literature or connecting with her students. I appreciate that she values my opinion, and I’ve always valued the conversations we have about books and teaching and life in general.

The theme of this conversation was her displeasure with teaching The Great Gatsby. I personally have never taught Gatsby; I’ve only taught English at the middle school level, but I can imagine what drudgery it could be from year to year. The students she teaches are not very different from the students I have been teaching for the past ten years. The nouveau riche lifestyle of the New York elite described by F. Scott Fitzgerald is not something many of my students could even begin to connect with without a lot of scaffolding. It would take a lot of front loading and relevantizing (I’m positive this is a word) in a way that many students would lose interest before they even cracked the cover.

And then working through the language, explaining the ideaology of the spoiled elite, and making sure you harp over the symbolism of that green light so that when those students are 36 years old and remember nothing else about the book, they remember the green light (trust me, it happens. It’s a tale as old as time. Most of the people who where in my AP English class only remember the green light and that there was a character named Daisy. I’ve now exhausted the list of things remembered from Gatsby.) And while I’m confident my friend teaches this book very well and addresses the important themes, and works very hard to make this book something more than just some fleeting book in the lives of her students that only crops up as a recovered memory when they think of the color green, she felt it was time for a change.

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Filed in: Replacing Required Reading • by Paul Randall Adams • 1 Comment

Meet Plucky

Paul sitting with a pile of books

I'm Paul! I'm a former teacher, obsessed with books, reading, art, and music. Stick around and see what I'm going to ramble about today!

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Replacing Required Reading – To Kill a Mockingbird

Happy March!

Review – Just Under the Clouds by Melissa Sarno

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I don’t know about you, but when the weather sta I don’t know about you, but when the weather starts to change, I immediately want to wear oversized sweaters, drink lots of hot chocolate, and bury myself in feel-good books. In years past, I have been more of a traditional book reader, but this year I have read more comic books and graphic novels than in the past fifteen years combined. 

That said, here are 6 graphic novels and comic book series I recommend as we head into cozy fall weather. So grab a blanket and your favorite hot beverage, snuggle up in your favorite reading nook, and enjoy something new.

1. “Pumpkinheads” by Rainbow Rowell and Faith Erin Hicks

- Set in a pumpkin patch, this graphic novel revolves around two friends, Deja and Josiah, who are determined to make their last shift before college memorable. It’s the perfect autumnal read!


2. “The Prince and the Dressmaker” by Jen Wang

- This graphic novel tells the story of Prince Sebastian and his secret life as Lady Crystallia with the help of his dressmaker friend Frances. It’s a heartwarming tale of identity, friendship, and acceptance.

3. “Soppy” by Phillippa Rice

- A delightful collection of comics based on real-life moments from the author’s life with her boyfriend. It explores the tiny, everyday romantic moments that make relationships special.

4. “Mouse Guard” by David Petersen

- Set in a medieval world, this series follows mice who have formed the Mouse Guard, protecting their realm. The art captures the rustic fall essence, making it perfect for the season.

5. “The Tea Dragon Society” by Katie O’Neill

- This charming graphic novel introduces readers to the world of Tea Dragons, small creatures that grow tea leaves from their bodies. It’s a tale of friendship, tradition, and the art of patience.

6. “Giant Days” by John Allison, Lissa Treiman, and Max Sarin

- Follow the lives of three friends in their first years of university. It’s a light-hearted series filled with humor, friendship, and the little, everyday adventures of growing up.

#comicbooks #graphicnovels #autimnvibes #read
Being a writer with ADHD can be a challenge, but i Being a writer with ADHD can be a challenge, but it can be done! It's especially challenging to start from a blank page. I'm working on getting together resources for people who struggle like I do. Join me on this journey to finish my next book and to write your own. ❤️ #writer #writersofinstagram #adhd #neurodivergent #author
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