哈佛大学的本科申请文书题目会让学生列出过去12个月的阅读清单，可见美国的精英教育对于学生们的阅读能力是非常重视的。
阅读不仅仅能让高中生们提升自己的英语阅读水平，同时可以拓展自己对于自然科学，人文，社会，道德等各个不同领域的了解与认知，还能培养学生们价值观的形成，批判性的思维方式，多元思考问题的能力都非常有帮助。
其中一个录取到美国顶尖名校埃默里大学的学生的common主文书中就曾写到和阅读相关的一些经历和思考，她是一个非常热爱读书而且很乐于帮助其他同学的人
下面给大家推荐高中生的15本必读的书籍：
01
《杀死一只知更鸟》
To Kill a Mockingbird
关于本书
I read this book during my freshman year of high school, and I still consider it to be one of my all-time favorites. The award-winning novel starting off our list of books to read, set in Maycomb, Alabama, follows the trial of a black man who is accused of raping a white man's daughter. Lee's use of a young and innocent narrator allows the reader to clearly see the harsh racism towards African-American men and understand that the evil side of human nature can sometimes triumph over good morals. If you get a chance, I also recommend watching the movie adaptation of this novel. Also, Lee recently released a sequel to her novel titled Go Set a Watchman.
02
《华氏451度》
Fahrenheit 451
关于本书
Set in the future in a dystopian society where books are banned and firemen start fires rather than put them out, Bradbury's novel follows a fireman named Montag. Montag becomes dissatisfied with his life and those around him after meeting a seventeen-year-old girl who, unlike the majority of society, enjoys people, nature, and meaningful conversations. This is a classic satirical novel that will most likely be one of the books you read in high school.
03
《动物农场》
Animal Farm
关于本书
Animal Farm serves as an allegory for the events of the 1917 Russian Revolution in which major characters represent historical figures such as Karl Marx, Joseph Stalin, and Leon Trotsky. Orwell uses his novel as a platform to condemn Stalin's reign of terror and the corrupt and abusive aspects of dictatorship. One of the most popular high school books to read - I really enjoyed this novel due to its simple concision and Orwell's unique method in describing an important event in our history.
04
《了不起的盖茨比》
The Great Gatsby
关于本书
This novel is narrated by Nick Carraway, Jay Gatsby's neighbor. Gatsby is a man of "new wealth" who yearns to win back the heart of Daisy Buchanan with whom he fell in love with before leaving for war. Through Gatsby's tragic fate, Fitzgerald's work describes the decline of the American Dream in the 1920s and emphasizes the difference between those with newly accumulated wealth and those whose families who have enjoyed generations of material excess. If you're interested, this book for highschoolers was adapted into a movie starring Leonardo DiCaprio
05
《推销员之死》
Death of a Salesman
关于本书
Death of a Salesman focuses on the Loman family: Willy, the father, Linda, the mother, and Biff and Happy, their two sons. Willy is a failed salesman, and his pursuit of the American Dream is never fulfilled due to his imprudent understanding of reality. Miller's play won the Pulitzer Prize for Drama and a Tony Award for Best Play. On top of those awards, it is a great book to read in high school.
06
《伊甸之东》
East of Eden
关于本书
Steinbeck's novel emphasizes the conflict between good and evil. Cal Trask, son to Adam Trask and Cathy Ames and brother to Aron Trask, struggles to resolve if he can truly overcome the evil inherited from his mother Cathy. The novel - a typical inclusion in required high school reading lists - is quite long but very interesting as Steinbeck implements many symbols and motifs, including the story of Cain and Abel and the Salinas Valley, to allegorically portray the book's themes.
07
《罗密欧与朱丽叶》
Romeo and Juliet
关于本书
Most everyone knows the story of Romeo and Juliet as it is referenced in numerous movies, television shows, and pieces of literature. Due to this fact and Shakespeare's difficult language, many people question why it is still studied in schools and considered a high school level book. The answer is simple: Shakespeare's play, although hundreds of years old, covers the issues of love and relationships, jealousy, and violence and rivalries. All of which have been, are, and will continue to be prevalent in our society. When you analyze the book in high school, you may even get to watch different Romeo and Juliet films, which I can guarantee will give you a good laugh.
08
《1984》
1984
关于本书
1984 is set in London, England where a ruling Party, lead by Big Brother, controls every aspect of its citizens and prohibits free thought and individuality. Winston Smith is frustrated with his government, becomes interested in the rebel Party, and starts committing illegal acts, such as a secret affair with a coworker. Orwell's political novel highlights the many dangers of totalitarianism and serves as a warning to nations who were still unsure as to how to deal with the rise of communism worldwide. 1984 is such a great work it is featured on virtually all lists of books to read.
09
《麦田里的守望者》
The Catcher in the Rye
关于本书
Holden Caulfield, currently a patient at a mental institute, is the sixteen-year-old narrator of his story about getting kicked out of school and his irritation towards the phoniness of everyone around him. Salinger's novel is about self-isolation and depression, innocence and growing up, and the hypocrisy and superficiality of adults. Due to its vulgar language, violence, and sexual scenes, the novel has appeared on many banned and censored lists since its release in 1951.
10
《蝇王》
Lord of the Flies
关于本书
When British boys are stranded on a deserted island after their plane crashes, they must learn to work together in order to survive. Unfortunately, without rules, conflicts become violent and the boys' savage and violent instincts turn them against each other. One of the best books for highschoolers - Golding uses symbols, such as the beast and the conch shell, to portray the themes of civilization vs. savagery, innate human evilness, and the loss of innocence.
11
《人鼠之间》
Of Mice and Men
关于本书
Steinbeck's story revolves around the loyal friendship between George and Lennie, two workers who have a dream to one day buy their own land. Unfortunately, their plan can never be fulfilled, and this novel also emphasizes the impossibility of the American Dream. Another prevalent theme is loneliness as seen through this quote by the black stable-hand Crooks: "A guy needs somebody-to be near him…I tell ya, I tell ya a guy gets too lonely an' he gets sick" (Steinbeck 80). Some interesting facts about this high school reading book: that his dog consumed an early draft of the story and most of the characters are based off of people Steinbeck knew.
12
《美丽新世界》
Brave New World
关于本书
Aldous Huxley's 1932 novel is next on our list of good books for high schoolers. It is set in the future where humans are conditioned and categorized into five different social classes: Alpha, Beta, Delta, Gamma, and Epsilon. After a series of events unfold, the reader learns that the World State exists based on the belief that societal stability and happiness are more important than humanity. This is another interesting dystopian novel as it serves as a warning of the dangers of an all-powerful state, a satire for our own society, and a model of human self-delusion.
13
《广岛》
Hiroshima
关于本书
Predictable from the title, Hersey's novel is about the horrific 1945 bombing of Hiroshima, Japan by the United States of America. A highly recommended book for high school students, Hiroshima offers a detailed account of six survivors taking place moments to months after the dropping of the bomb, including an extra chapter forty years after the tragedy. Hersey, a Pulitzer Prize winner, captures the strong forbearance of the Japanese and their beautiful community spirit after a catastrophic event, earning him a spot on our reading list.
14
《他们眼望上苍》
Their Eyes Were Watching God
关于本书
Janie Crawford, a confident black woman seeking independence, has returned to her hometown of Eatonville, Florida after over twenty years. Pheoby Watson, Janie's best friend, serves as the audience to her story and learns about Janie's journey for love and independence through Janie's three marital relationships. In 2005, Hurston's novel was adapted into a movie starring Halle Berry, both are great entertainment for high school students.
15
《冷血》
In Cold Blood
关于本书
In Cold Blood, a nonfiction piece, is about the horrendous murder of four members of the Clutter family, Herb, Bonnie Mae, Kenyon Neal, and Nancy Mae. In a New York Times interview, Capote states that as well as conducting interviews, some with his good friend Harper Lee, he also intensely researched murder and criminal mentality. Further, he closely followed the police investigation and became close to the two murderers, Perry Smith and Dick Hickock, until they were executed by hanging. His in depth research make it one of our 15 books to read in high school.
