NCTE

These eight titles are great accompaniments to John Steinbeck's The Grapes of Wrath, as updated expansions on the novel's themes and its historical setting.

The NCTE Excellence in Children’s Poetry Award Committee has recognized 21 exceptional books of poetry and nine novels in verse in their annual list. Read and evaluated by each member of the committee, these books published in 2021 are notable for their use of language, poetic devices, and their application to children ages three to 13.

This year, members of the committee are pleased to recognize 25 outstanding books of poetry and 13 novels in verse as 2021 Notables.

This year, members of the NCTE Excellence in Children's Poetry Award Committee are pleased to recognize 28 outstanding books of poetry and 11 novels in verse. These titles were deemed notable for their use of language and poetic devices and their appropriateness for children ages three to 13.

We offer seven books in various formats for middle graders and up that do not offer one-on-one substitutions for Ayn Rand's Anthem, but will certainly satisfy readers' dystopian cravings.

Those assigning Scott O'Dell's 1960 novel Island of the Blue Dolphins may want to look at these contemporary and historical works featuring coming-of-age themes and accurate depictions of Indigenous culture. 

If the prospect of Charles Dickens's Great Expectations for your students looks dim, the NCTE and SLJ has curated a list of books with similar themes that provide greater context or recast Pip's story into a more accessible format, such as the highly graphic manga version included here.