School plays a vital part in every person’s life and it should manage to develop the habit of reading in their students. They should make certain books mandatory in their school curriculum, which would motivate students to learn and read more.
Reading good books opens the minds of young thinkers and helps their cognitive skills as well as develop empathy. They learn and discover new topics that schools otherwise wouldn’t provide much information on, but books help students learn more about the subject they could enjoy reading if included in the school curriculum.
Here are the top 10 books that should be compulsory in the school curriculum.
#1 Numbers Don’t Lie by Vaclav Smil
Vaclav Smil
About the book:
Title: Numbers Don’t Lie: 71 Stories to Help Us Understand the Modern World
Author: Vaclav Smil
Publisher: Viking
Pages: 384
Goodreads rating: 3.85/5
This book is a collection of very short articles written by Vaclav Smil for an IEEE magazine. He talks about 71 things you need to know about the world. He shows us the fact-finding adventure, using surprising statistics and illuminating graphs to challenge lazy thinking.
This book is filled with a wonderful mixture of science, history and wit, all in bite-sized chapters on a broad range of topics. When you read this book, you will realise how passionate Vaclav Smil was about presenting facts with scientific data and his wit. This book is not revolutionary, but it puts into a different perspective what we take for granted and teaches us how to interpret those statistics correctly.
Why should you read this book?
I recommend this book if you like topics about statistics. It is spiced with a bit of dry humour, which makes reading it very pleasant.
To buy Numbers Don’t Lie by Vaclav Smil now:
#2 Green Humour For A Greying Planet by Rohan Chakravarty
About the book:
Title: Green Humour For A Greying Planet
Author: Rohan Chakravarty
Publisher: Penguin India
Pages: 228
Goodreads rating: 4.75/5
This book is such a witty, funny and informative piece of literature worth including in the school curriculum that students will enjoy reading. Chakravarty presented facts with a comprehensive and satirical take on various aspects of the natural world and the threats to its conservation.
This book is loved by both the scientifically inclined readers as well as the general readers. This is an excellent read as it shows the doom of the environment at a time when global warming, wildlife crimes and man-animal conflicts are at their worst, explaining these issues to kids through comic strips and witty humour.
Why should you read this book?
This book is a must-read for all kids to create awareness about global warming, climate change and wildlife crimes. It is an interesting and insightful book filled with facts and figures about the world we live in. However, it misses an overarching storyline. Nevertheless, it is still worth reading.
To buy Green Humour For A Greying Planet by Rohan Chakravarty now:
#3 The Power of Habit by Charles Duhigg
About the book:
Title: The Power of Habit
Author: Charles Duhigg
Publisher: Cornerstone Digital
Pages: 402
Goodreads rating: 4.13/5
The book is absolutely my favourite, and I highly recommend it to all the students who want to develop a good habit or if you have a bad habit you want to get rid of. It talks about everything from personal habits to organisational habits. I know this book may be a little boring in that it is lengthy, but the content is very interesting and all the examples he uses to explain the concepts are eye-opening. It shows habits aren’t destiny.
Charles Duhigg shows that we can transform our businesses, communities, and lives by harnessing this new science. As a student, one should know about these topics. At its core, The Power of Habit contains an exhilarating argument, and Duhigg brings to life a whole new understanding of human nature and its potential for transformation.
Why should you read this book?
I highly recommend this book. He explained in it the science of habit, and the audience who can benefit from this book is vast, from individuals to corporates to governments.
To buy The Power of Habit by Charles Duhigg now:
#4 Cosmos by Carl Sagan
About the book:
Title: Cosmos
Author: Carl Sagan
Publisher: Random House
Pages: 365
Goodreads rating: 4.38/5
I discovered Carl Sagan’s work through a popular YouTube video explaining the concept of the 4th dimension, and someone mentioned this book in the comment section. When I finished reading it, my mind was filled with curiosity and many questions, leading me to read more science books and further into science fiction. This is a tale told with Carl Sagan’s remarkable ability to make scientific ideas both comprehensible and exciting; it is based on his acclaimed television series.
Why should you read this book?
If you want to know about the universe, read this book as a crash course in cosmic history that has the power to change your personal philosophy.
To buy Cosmos by Carl Sagan now:
#5 Astrophysics for Young People in a Hurry by Neil deGrasse Tyson
About the book:
Title: Astrophysics for Young People in a Hurry
Author: Neil deGrasse Tyson
Publisher: Norton Young Readers
Pages: 176
Goodreads rating: 4.31/5
Neil deGrasse Tyson is one of the most popular astrophysicists across the world. He is known for simplifying astrophysics and breaking down complicated scientific concepts for the general public. Through this book, he breaks down the mysteries of the cosmos into bite-sized pieces. Gregory Mone’s full-colour photos, infographics, and extra explanations make even the trickiest concepts accessible.
Why should you read this book?
Give this book a chance and give it to your kids or younger siblings or read it yourself too. The author’s explanation of the concepts is fascinating, and it is a fun read.
To buy Astrophysics for Young People in a Hurry by Neil deGrasse Tyson now:
#6 To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
Harper Lee
About the book:
Title: To Kill a Mockingbird
Author: Harper Lee
Publisher: Norton Young Readers
Pages: 336
Goodreads rating: 4.27/5
This book is an unforgettable masterpiece of a childhood in a sleepy Southern town and the crisis of conscience that rocked it. It will take you to the roots of human behaviour—to innocence and experience, kindness and cruelty, love and hatred, humour and pathos.
I love the fact that Harper Lee always considered her book to be a simple love story. Indeed, today it is regarded as a masterpiece of American literature. But I’m certain that this book has crossed borders to become a literary masterpiece worldwide. Maybe you’d find it slow-paced initially, but give it some time, and you will enjoy reading it.
Why should you read this book?
This book truly deserves the respect and love it gets from readers around the world as it talks about very sensitive topics like racism, prejudice, rape, and false accusation of rape, which are bold topics for kids. Still, the way they are handled in the novel is remarkable.
To buy To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee now:
#7 Animal Farm by George Orwell
George Orwell
About the book:
Title: Animal Farm
Author: George Orwell
Publisher: Signet Classics
Pages: 141
Goodreads rating: 3.98/5
This classic novel is about a farm taken over by its overworked, mistreated animals. They set out to create a paradise of progress, justice, and equality. It is a razor-edged fairy tale for grown-ups that records the evolution from revolution against tyranny to totalitarianism just as terrible. The cutting clarity and savage comedy of George Orwell’s masterpiece have a meaning and message that is still ferociously fresh.
Why should you read this book?
Read this book for Orwell’s ways of explaining the human psyche and political and social dilemmas wrapped in the form of this story.
To buy Animal Farm by George Orwell now:
#8 The Book Thief by Markus Zusak
Markus Zusak
About the book:
Title: The Book Thief
Author: Markus Zusak
Publisher: Alfred A. Knopf
Pages: 552
Goodreads rating: 4.39/5
A very emotional read and highly recommended to all kids so that they learn the value of education in a person’s life. Set in Nazi Germany, in a very well-crafted writing that burns with intensity, award-winning author Markus Zusak has given us one of the most enduring stories of our time.
When you don’t educate people or teach them to think critically, with complete understanding and proper knowledge, other people will come and whisper in their ears and destroy their minds. Read the story of Liesel, a little girl who is taken to a new home because her mother can’t afford to take care of her. This book is a bit of an eye-opener.
Why should you read this book?
I would recommend this book to any student who is aged 13 and up. Since it is a serious story, older students will be able to understand and appreciate it better.
To buy The Book Thief by Markus Zusak now:
#9 The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini
Khaled Hosseini
About the book:
Title: The Kite Runner
Author: Khaled Hosseini
Publisher: Riverhead Books
Pages: 371
Goodreads rating: 4.33/5
Twelve-year-old Amir in 1970 Afghanistan is desperate to win the local kite-fighting tournament, and his loyal friend Hassan promises to help him. After the Russians invade and the family is forced to flee to America, Amir realises that one day he must return to an Afghanistan under Taliban rule to find the one thing his new world cannot grant him. As the author is Afghan-American, the ways he represents the culture are precise, and you can connect even more with the world.
Why should you read this book?
An excellent representation of political events, even as dramatic as those presented, and an incredible story of the culture. He gives us a vivid and engaging story. Surely, students must read, and I would say it will be better for 13+ students.
To buy The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini now:
#10 The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman
Neil Gaiman
About the book:
Title: The Graveyard Book
Author: Neil Gaiman
Publisher: HarperCollins
Pages: 312
Goodreads rating: 4.15/5
The last book in my recommendation list is my personal favourite. It is the dark masterwork by bestselling author Neil Gaiman, with illustrations by award-winning Dave McKean. You will find in the book the dangers and adventures of Bod in the graveyard, the strange and terrible menace of the Sleer, a gravestone entrance to a desert that leads to the city of ghouls, friendship with a witch, and so much more. It is a magical, sweet and imaginative story for children, and every kid, adult and student should read this.
Why should you read this book?
I’m afraid I’ll be biased towards this book, but the reason to recommend this is simple—it is fantastic, and you must definitely read it.
To buy The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman now:
To conclude, kindly do encourage reading habits in students and include interesting and informative books in the school curriculum for that purpose. Many great leaders and successful people are at their peak because they value reading and promote reading books as much as possible.
So, keep reading and expand your knowledge for your better future as well as for a better world.
| 1 | Numbers Don’t Lie by Vaclav Smil | Buy now |
| 2 | Green Humour For A Greying Planet by Rohan Chakravarty | Buy now |
| 3 | The Power of Habit by Charles Duhigg | Buy now |
| 4 | Cosmos by Carl Sagan | Buy now |
| 5 | Astrophysics for Young People in a Hurry by Neil deGrasse Tyson | Buy now |
| 6 | To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee | Buy now |
| 7 | Animal Farm by George Orwell | Buy now |
| 8 | The Book Thief by Markus Zusak | Buy now |
| 9 | The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini | Buy now |
| 10 | The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman | Buy now |
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- Book Review: All The Bright Places (Spoiler Free) – Favbookshelf
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Which books should be added to the school curriculum according to you? And what good books were included in your school curriculum? Leave a comment below. We would love to know your favourite ones!
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