The Great Gatsby, was this a good choice?

Question

I am tutoring a 17 yr old boy in English, and he asked me what authors or book he should read, to increase his reading and writing skills. The first thing that came to mind was The Great Gatsby because I read it when I was 17 and I loved the book. Do you this was good advice and can you recommend any other good books he should read?

Answer 1

I think The Great Gatsby is a good choice. I am a high school teacher working with 17-year-olds and we read it as part of our curriculum. The wonderful thing about Gatsby is that the language itself is simple and the book feels very accessible, yet there are many layers of meaning. Reading this book and then discussing it in-depth will build critical thinking skills, which will most definitely help anyone become a more thoughtful reader.

If you're looking for other books, try a broad sweep. There is a lot of excellent young adult fiction out there that you might try for variety. Charles Dickens' books provide more challenging language but are also good to discuss. I recommend A Tale of Two Cities. Good luck!

Answer 2

I am not certified in English, but I will go off of my own experience.
I love to read, and I hated that book in high school. You have to keep in mind that a 17 year old boy will think alot differently then a 17 year old girl, especially during the period
you were 17.
1: What is his reading level? Did you do a BRI yet? If you assign a book outside his ability level, he could easily become fusterated.
2: He is a male. Many people would say that the Great Gatsby is a book that is more appealing to a female. Give him a list of choices and let him pick. When students have an active role in choosing the books they read, they will be much more successful.
BTW, people above me mentioned Death of a Salesman and Catcher in the Rye. I loved both of those! Of Mice and Men is another good one.

Answer 3

Well I was made read the Great Gatsby in high school, and although I appreciated it I didn't really 'get' it! I am an Australian and this book was more about the great American dream, not so sure if the Australian dream was similar. I was also made read the Grapes of Wrath which I enjoyed more despite being a longer book! Good luck, just ensure whatever he reads is in the curriculum for his studies I guess!

Answer 4

i'm no longer qualified in English, yet i will bypass off of my own adventure. i love to study, and that i hated that e book in extreme college. you would possibly want to do not forget that a 17 year previous boy will imagine alot otherwise then a 17 year previous lady, highly in the course of the era you've been 17. a million: what's his interpreting factor? Did you do a BRI yet? in case you assign a e book outdoors his means factor, he might want to easily grow to be fusterated. 2: he's a male. many human beings might want to say that the excellent Gatsby is a e book it truly is extra suited to a lady. supply him a itemizing of possibilities and allow him %.. at the same time as pupils have an energetic position in choosing the books they study, they are going to be a lot extra effective. BTW, human beings above me reported lack of existence of a salesclerk and Catcher contained in the Rye. I loved both one in each of those! Of Mice and adult males is yet another sturdy one.

Answer 5

I teach ELA to hs kids, and find most of them HATE GATSBY w/o proper anticipatory sets, discussions etc. The first 40 pages or so really lose kids, especially boys.

I would have recommended something by Bradbury for a 17yo boy...

FAHRENHEIT 451
or MARTIAN CHRONICLES

Also try:
J.D. Sallinger's CATCHER IN THE RYE or
STEVE CHBATSKY's PERKS OF BEING A WALLFLOWER (Both of these are a little racy so make sure you have parental consent.) I say stick w/ Bradbury.

Answer 6

YOU are a "Masocist" I had to read that book in college, I couldn't because it was SO BORING ! I watched the movie instead. I can safely say that IT WAS THE MOST PAINFUL MOVIE THAT I EVER WATCHED, what a stupid book, what a stupid story, give him "Death of a salesman" at least he'll be able to comprehend THAT, I suggest that you be dragged out into the parking lot, and "SHOT" for making him read that book. He's NEVER going to understand it !

Answer 7

Has anyone read Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte? Good book, I have read it and it has helped give the thoughtfulness it takes to be acknowledged in today's tough industry that is the socialistic communism that is society.

Also it's about love...

Answer 8

That's a wonderful book. I enjoy still the old American classics, such as "Treasure Island", any book written by Mark Twain, or Ernest Hemingway, "Old Man and the Sea". I also enjoy anything by Pearl S. Buck.

Answer 9

For a 17 year old boy? Try Lois Lowry's books like The Giver. They're appealing for teens like me. :D And also try some of Paulo Coelho's :)

Answer 10

I dont know, it really didnt get me hooked and i was kindof confused. but hey, i may just be stupid