FOUR BOOKS THAT TEACH IMPORTANT VALUES TO YOUNG STUDENTS

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(by guest blogger Nadia Jones)

There are several solid works ofliterature that teach the values of tolerance, good citizenship and humility,among other life lessons. These values are important and should be taught on aregular basis to young children and young adults. Literature is the perfectmeans for learning important principles, because readers are allowed to thinkthrough the themes at their own pace, without the distraction of other’sopinions.  Several educational systems across theworld have recognized not only the academic value of reading literature but thesocial value, as well. In the United States, several books with moralisticundertones can be found on the required reading list for public high schools.Although only two of the following four books are currently on that list, theyare each equally worthy of reading by everyone, young and old.

Citizenship Papers: Essays

Written by National Humanities Medalrecipient, Wendell Berry, this collection of essays is one of his finest works.Covering the topics of agriculture, global trade, home, family andsustainability, Citizenship Papers isless an explanation of why you should be a good citizen in terms of governmentand more an explanation of why you should be a good citizen in terms ofstewardship. These essays cover important issues that many people living indeveloped economies never think about but that are the foundation of humansurvival. Wendell asks the question; “If our current economic system were tofall apart today, would you know how to grow your own food, make your ownclothing and shelter and find fresh water?” The answer is a scary realizationthat should be seriously assessed by younger generations.

Oliver Twist
This novel by Charles Dickens was firstpublished in 1838. A popular read in American high schools, it tells the storyof a young boy, Oliver, who was born into poverty in England. After his motherdies in childbirth and his father disappears, he becomes an orphan and is sentto a baby farm. When Oliver turns nine, he leaves the baby farm and eventuallybegins working as an undertaker’s apprentice. As the novel progresses, Olivercontinues to suffer from unwarranted injustices, but he eventually finds hishappy ending through perseverance. The book shows the negative effects ofindustrialism in 19^th century England, how innocence becomes trappedin corruption and economic greed.
The King of the Golden River

Although this is technically a shortfairy tale novel, The King of the GoldenRiver tells a perfect story of the importance of humility and charity.Written by John Ruskin in 1841, this book recounts a story of two brothers,Hans and Schwartz, who lose their treasure in a mountain valley to an angrywind that they mistreated. The wind leaves their land infertile, so they areforced to become goldsmiths. As their greed for gold grows, the brothers beginto fight and gamble for more fortune, but their younger brother, Gluck, wins inthe end through his kindness and humility. In only 56 pages, Rusk is able tolay out the impact of greed and the reward of always remaining humble and kind.



To Kill a Mockingbird

This Pulitzer-Prize-winning novel wasfirst published in 1960. Written by Harper Lee, the story has become a classicfor its themes of racial injustice and loss of innocence. The plot involves theFinch family and their mysterious neighbor, “Boo” Radley, who is a black man. Boois a recluse, and the children in the neighborhood are both interested andscared of him. Brother and sister, Scout and Jem Finch, feel sympathetic forBoo and wonder why he must stay inside his home all the time. In the end, Jemand Scout find out the reality of their little town, and the role that raceplays in its many injustices. Other values taught in To Kill a Mockingbird include compassion, courage and sacrifice fora greater cause.
Nadia Jones has been working as afreelance writer for many years now and is currently serving as a regularcontributor to several blogs, including www.OnlineCollege.org.In her spare time, Nadia enjoys cooking up new vegetarian recipes and listeningto live local music. Feel free to send any questions or comments her way atNadia.Jones5@gmail.com.