Happy Holidays!
What exactly is a “classic” novel? Does a book become a classic after a certain number of copies are sold, like an album going platinum? Are books deemed classics by a consensus of literary experts, or are classics generally accepted as such? If experts disagree, can a title still be considered a classic?
We might not be able to agree on what defines a book as a “classic,” but NoveList can
help you find popular titles that never seem to grow old. Readers’ Advisory experts
have compiled several lists to help you find them in various genres for all reading levels.
If your student or patron isn’t nearly as animated about reading as you’d like, try enticing them with a classic. If so many others have read and loved these books, chances are pretty good that they’ll love them too. For your younger, choosier patrons, NoveList experts have put together five Curricular Connections that include classics for every reading level:
Classics: Kids
Classics: Must-Read Classics for Kids
Classics: Must-Reads (teens)
Classics: Teens
Great Stories: Classics for the High School Reader
To get to any of these lists:
1. Enter the title in the Find box on the homepage.
2. Select the Title radio button. Click Search.
3. Select the Curricular Connections tab above the result list.
NoveList content can help you become an instant expert if you’re asked for titles in a genre that you don’t typically read. Not a True Crime reader? No problem! Enter “TI classic* True Crime” in the Find box, click Search, and Voila! You’ve pleased your patron, and they’ll never know that you haven't really read Ann Rule. This same technique will help you find lists for other genres as well. You’ll find great lists by searching “TI classic* Romance” or “TI classic* Adventure.”
Unfortunately, all classics do have one inherent flaw: you’ve probably already read them! Of course, we at NoveList think ahead, and we’ve provided a solution for this as well. The Adult Recommended Reads list, “Classics Revisited,” is a collection of alternate versions of popular classics.
“Another Time, Another Place: Classic Readalikes and Retellings Set in a Contemporary or Alternate Time” suggests adaptations and retellings of classic stories including fairy tales, folklore, Shakespeare’s plays, and literary classics. This Curricular Connections article also provides tips on how you can incorporate these readalikes into your curriculum. If you’d rather watch your novels than read them, look for “Made Into Movies: Classics” to experience some old favorites in a new way.
You can find any of the articles mentioned by entering the title in the Find bar, selecting Title, and clicking Search. From the result list, select the appropriate feature tab.
This year, give yourself the gift of knowledge and Join NoveList for one of their December training sessions to brush up on your NoveList search skills.
