Anonymous wrote:Gatsby is a bit racy and gory.

I have read this book several times. I still do not understand why it is in the running for best American novel. It was profoundly boring in high school. I can't imagine a girl that age truly enjoying it. Fitzgerald's stories are far more captivating.

I loved Cynthia's Voigt's books at that age, especially the Tillerman Cycle:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tillerman_Cycle

I don't know if they qualify as classic, but they are Newbery award-winning.

A Tree Grows in Brooklyn

Classics, and definitely accessible for a 14YO:

Charles Dickens, Hard Times
Jane Austen, Emma (for fun, watch movie versions and Clueless)
Charlotte Bronte, Jane Eyre
Shakespeare, Comedy of Errors (then watch the Flying Karamazov Brother's production -- available on YouTube if nothing else)
Comedy of Errors isn't necessarily the Shakespeare you most need to know, but it's his first and it's pretty accessible, and it will make later Shakespeare easier to grasp

Anonymous wrote:A Tree Grows in Brooklyn
I Capture the Castle
LM Montgomery’s non-Anne of Green Gables work, especially The Blue Castle, A Tangled Web, and Jane of Lantern Hill
9th grade was my Jane Eyre year as well.

I looove this list. For a 14 year old, the value of reading books about girls around her age is really invaluable. There are STILL not enough of these on high school reading lists. Kids want to see themselves reflected in fiction.

Was coming here to mention A Tree Grows in Brooklyn -- it is beyond me why this book is not on more reading lists for teens. I d didn't read it until my 20s and I wish I had read it at 14.

I read LM Montgomery's Emily of New Moon series in middle school and really liked it, these others are good too.

If she is interested in science fiction, Octavia Butler's Parable of the Sower and Parable of the Talents are really wonderful. More recent, and quite serious at times, but I think a great challenge for a high school reader looking to expand their literary knowledge and experience.

Many other good books mentioned in the thread, but don't discount the value of narratives about teenage girls (for a teenage girl) or the value of books written by women.

Anonymous wrote:Even a weak school will read most of the classics that are being written here? I also think something really enjoyable is helpful.

I like the suggestion for Rebecca. I’d add Gone with the Wind (especially if you read with her- good for discussion).

She probably has read Jane Eyre or will but in college I re-read that and then Wide Sargasso Sea as a pair for a class and that was fun.

I am enjoying thinking about this- I might come back with more. Can you let us know if she’s read some of the books already mentioned?

Oh how about I know why the Caged Baird sings? Beautiful beautiful book even if it’s relatively recent.

Even a weak school will read most of the classics that are being written here? I also think something really enjoyable is helpful.

I like the suggestion for Rebecca. I’d add Gone with the Wind (especially if you read with her- good for discussion).

She probably has read Jane Eyre or will but in college I re-read that and then Wide Sargasso Sea as a pair for a class and that was fun.

I am enjoying thinking about this- I might come back with more. Can you let us know if she’s read some of the books already mentioned?

Anonymous wrote:Ethan Frome

So depressing

The Once and Future King, T.H. White

I second this one, wholeheartedly.

I carried around a paperback copy of this novel my entire freshman year of high school, read it and re-read it. A few years ago I finally let go of that book, it was a sentimental connection to high school with all the friend's names and phone numbers scribbled on the end pages and inside covers.

The book itself is a richly rewarding telling of the Arthurian legend and a great fantasy classic. Most kids will love it.

Ethan Frome

Has she read

Anne of Green Gables. Laugh out loud funny
A Tale of Two Cities
Ender’s Game
All Quiet on the Western Front
90s and later, but now beginning to be classic: The Perfect Storm, Life of Pi, Into Thin Air

And more juveline, but did she miss:
Charlotte’s web
The Lion the witch and the wardrobe
Heidi

For a challenge, Hamlet. You could guide her on portions that could be skipped for time.

Second a Tree Grows in Brooklyn. One of my favorite books at all time. Read it at about her age and I related so much.

Black Beauty. Which would be easy reading for an 8th grader, but it is still a very good book that I would consider a classic.
Charlotte's Web. Which would also be easy reading for an 8th grader but is a very good book that I would consider a classic.

The Little House on the Prairie books.

I suppose the Harry Potter books would not be considered classic books because they were only published about 20 years ago. But they are well written and many kids that age love them.

Lots of good suggestions here. I'll add:
The Crucible
The Outsiders
Hatchet (can be read younger, but if she hasn't already read it, it can be enjoyed at any age)
The Scarlet Letter

Not particularly classic, but a good age to start reading Agatha Christie.

Up from Slavery

Jules Verne--Around the World in 80 Days, 20,000 leagues under the Sea

Evelyn Waugh--Brideshead Revisited (I actually prefer his satires)