Classics Without All the Class discussion

I am looking for some advice from the group on whether or not this book has appeal to a teen audience.I am looking for adult books that would also appeal to a teen audience, and the main character is after all sixteen through the main part of the story, and certainly experiences some serious life changing events. The books is not difficult to read, but has some very deep themes to contemplate. The age group I am looking at is 15-18.

If you want to also give me any other adult books that you think would appeal to teens (15-18) that would be awesome :) I need 5.

I am 18 and read the book around a year ago. I enjoyed it and I think the themes are very interesting to think about. On the other hand, I read it with a high school book club and most of the younger students had a more difficult time understanding some things. It really depends on the reader's desire to want to understand them, in my opinion.

My son's Honors English teacher offered this book as one of five that students could choose from to read and do a project with. Although my son selected a different book, he said that students seemed to really like it, and they are freshmen. So, I think it is definetly appropriate. Also, my son read Slaughterhouse Five. Most of the students liked that book, but a couple had a hard time with it. Good luck

It's certainly not inappropriate for teens.
But I would not have taken away what I did from the book at 16.
I had one friend in my personal book club tell me he read it in high school and hated it.

As for other titles that are appropriate, I'd say The Perks of Being A Wallflower, Little Women, Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance...even Roots would be great for teenagers.

I have a teenage friend who read and loved Khaled Husseini's two titles The Kite Runner and A Thousand Splendid Suns.

I know of at least one English teacher who regularly assigns this book in grade 11. The kids respond well to it, as they are pretty sophisticated readers by that age. I applaud this teacher for giving kids something new and fresh to study, instead of the same old tired stuff.

You guys have definitely given me enough confidence that this would be an appropriate book! Thanks! All you guys ROCK!

As a literature teacher I would totally give this book to my students. Some parts may need a little guide (specialy if they are not familiarized with India, it's culture or the religions) but overall I think the topics of this book are very interesting and may open the minds of the teens. There are a lot of nice arguments that they can use to confront their own ideas...

Jeane wrote: "I am looking for some advice from the group on whether or not this book has appeal to a teen audience.I am looking for adult books that would also appeal to a teen audience, and the main character ..."

Try THE NEVERENDING STORY by Michael Ende. It's a fantasy with a very philosophical point about literature--quite reassuring actually. I read it when I was a junior in high school; no, it was not assigned.

Alex wrote: "In general I don't like to consider any book 'unsuitable' for any audience - even works with mature themes of sexuality or violence are appropriate for strong readers."

I almost completely agree. :-) But "strong reader" doesn't necessarily equal "mature reader." Both my kids are strong readers but they are still put off by excessive vulgar language or profanity (is that a hopelessly old-fashioned word?) and by sexual themes. They are just not ready for it and if asked, I will "preview" questionable books for them. (I can't and don't want to read every book they are interested in, but I try to find out as much as I can about them.) I don't grant or withhold permission to read any book, but if I think something is a little too advanced for them, I'll tell them so. My 14-year-old will quickly reject a book if it's full of language; I'm sure that will change but at this point she just doesn't want to be immersed in it. (And she wonders why some authors use so much of it.)

I think my 15-year-old will enjoy Pi, probably more than I am!

Alex wrote:...but I wouldn't have wanted any authority figure (teacher, librarian, even parent) refusing access to any book purely on the grounds of 'appropriateness'..."

Well, that would be the surest way to send them off to find the forbidden reading material!

I still remember bits of inappropriate books I read in the library as a kid. I wish I hadn't read them! I had no oversight though I didn't feel neglected. It would not have occurred to my parents to guide my reading. But once something is seen (read), it can't be unseen.

I am pretty conservative too, but I try not to be old in my thinking. I like to think my kids appreciate my involvement. They do still ask for it, but since they are homeschooled, that's all they know at this point. I try to walk the line between being overly sheltering and appropriately involved.

You mentioned The Outsiders. That is one of my favorite books and the three of us read it together last year. It was a great experience. Planning on To Kill a Mockingbird soon. A little guidance can make difficult/challenging books a little easier.

sheltering vs guidance...

I am 17 and read the book. We were supposed to read it for English class but the teachers decided to cancel it from scedule because it would be too difficult. So I decided to read it on my own.

I loved the book and the way it is written, really, but I think that was also because I am into animals, nature, and behaviour. Someone who is not into these things might not like the book.

Then, by reading comments and posts here on Goodreads I found out more about the themes. But I must say that without them it would have been more difficult to understand what the book is about.

To conclude I think it would appeal to anyone, but the literary side of it might be too difficult to understand for teens of 15 or 16 years old. I do think 17/18 is a good age though. They might understand it better and also be more open to a 'different kind of story' (as I find 'Life of Pi' very unique). I really enjoyed it, and some of my friends did too, so it shouldn't be the biggest problem :)