Little Has Changed in 30 Years The Most-Taught Books in American Schools

Over the past 30 years, the list of books most commonly taught in American classrooms has hardly changed. While everything else in society – technology, culture, education methods – has rapidly evolved, high school and middle school reading lists remain stuck in the past. The same classic books that students read in the 1990s are still being taught today, even in 2025. This article explores what these books are, why they have stayed the same, the reasons for both support and criticism, and what changes might be expected in the future.

Common Books Still Taught Today

Across the United States, certain books have been taught for generations. These include:

1."To Kill a Mockingbird" by Harper Lee
A story about racial injustice in the American South, told through the eyes of a child.

2."Romeo and Juliet" and other works by William Shakespeare
Classic plays from the 16th century, exploring love, power, and tragedy.

3."Of Mice and Men" by John Steinbeck
A short novel about two migrant workers during the Great Depression.

4."The Great Gatsby" by F. Scott Fitzgerald
A tale of love and wealth during the Roaring Twenties.

5."The Catcher in the Rye" by J.D. Salinger
A coming-of-age novel about a troubled teenager in New York City.

6."Lord of the Flies" by William Golding
A dark story about boys stranded on an island and their descent into chaos.

These titles have been part of school curriculums for decades and are still widely read and discussed in classrooms.

Why These Books Have Stayed the Same

1. Literary Quality

These books are considered literary classics. They have deep themes, rich language, and complex characters. Teachers often find them helpful for teaching literary analysis, symbolism, and historical context.

2. Test Preparation

Many national exams like Advanced Placement (AP) Literature or SATs include references or types of questions that align with these classic books. Schools continue to use them to prepare students for college entrance tests.

3. Teacher Familiarity

Teachers are trained to teach these books. They have lesson plans, teaching guides, and years of experience with them. Switching to new books would require time, new materials, and retraining.

4. Historical Significance

Books like To Kill a Mockingbird address important topics like racism, justice, and morality. Even though they were written many years ago, their themes are still relevant.

Criticism of the Lack of Change

While these books are respected, many educators, parents, and students have raised concerns about the lack of new voices in the classroom. Critics argue that:

1. Lack of Diversity

Most of the commonly taught books are written by white, male, Western authors. They don’t reflect the experiences of many students today, especially those from minority communities. People ask: why aren’t students reading books by Black, Latino, Asian, Indigenous, or LGBTQ+ authors more often?

2. Outdated Language and Ideas

Some of the older books include racist language, sexist ideas, or colonial perspectives. While these books can still be useful for historical understanding, they may need stronger context or be replaced with more sensitive and inclusive texts.

3. Student Engagement

Many students find these classics boring or hard to relate to. Modern books with contemporary settings and modern language could help students enjoy reading more and develop better reading habits.

New Books Slowly Entering Classrooms

Despite resistance to change, some newer books have started to appear on reading lists. These include:

• "The Hate U Give" by Angie Thomas
  A powerful novel about police violence and racial injustice in America.
• "Educated" by Tara Westover
  A memoir about growing up in a survivalist family and seeking education against all odds.
• "Born a Crime" by Trevor Noah
  A funny yet emotional story of growing up mixed-race in South Africa during apartheid.
• "Between the World and Me" by Ta-Nehisi Coates
  A letter from a Black father to his son about racism and identity in modern America.

These books offer modern perspectives, real-life experiences, and voices from diverse communities. However, they are still not as widely taught as the older classics.

Obstacles to Updating the Curriculum

Changing what books are taught is not easy. Some of the major challenges include:

1. State Guidelines

Many states have strict education rules. These often list required books or themes to be covered, and schools have to follow them.

2. Political Pressure

Book choices are often caught in political debates. Some parents and politicians want to remove books they see as too “woke,” while others want to remove older books they see as racist or outdated.

3. Cost and Access

New books cost money. Schools already own hundreds of copies of the old classics. Replacing them means spending more on books, training, and classroom materials – something many schools can’t afford.

Why Updating Reading Lists Matters

Changing the books taught in schools isn’t just about variety – it’s about representation, engagement, and relevance.

• When students see characters who look like them, speak like them, or share their experiences, they connect more deeply with reading.
• Reading about modern issues like mental health, identity, immigration, and social justice helps students understand the world around them.
• A more inclusive reading list teaches empathy, builds confidence, and encourages critical thinking.

Balancing Classics with Contemporary Works

It doesn’t have to be either/or. Experts suggest that schools can teach both classic literature and modern books. For example:

• Teach The Great Gatsby alongside a modern book about inequality or the American Dream.
• Read Romeo and Juliet and compare it with a modern teen romance or play.
• Use To Kill a Mockingbird to discuss civil rights in history, and The Hate U Give to explore the same theme today.

By pairing old and new books, schools can help students appreciate the past while also connecting it to the present.

The most-taught books in American classrooms have barely changed in 30 years. While there are good reasons why classics like To Kill a Mockingbird and Romeo and Juliet remain popular, the world has changed a lot. Students are more diverse, more connected, and face different challenges than those in the past.

It’s time for schools to ask: Are we giving students the stories they need today? A balanced approach that includes both classic and contemporary voices could make literature more exciting, inclusive, and meaningful for future generations. Education is not just about teaching old lessons – it's about preparing students to understand and shape the world they live in. And reading the right books is a big part of that journey.