One could argue that there is no greater power in literature than its ability to help foster a great vocabulary in a reader. This month, we're celebrating all things vocabulary at Prestwick House. Today, we're happy to share our top ten books with great vocabulary. Our list spans many decades and is sure to provide ideas for your next great novel to teach!
#10 The Book Thief
The Book Thief by Markus Zusak is rife with rich vocabulary and offers an empowering message to your students: Words can truly make a difference.
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#9 Moby-Dick
Chasing after that white whale of a novel with great vocabulary? Moby-Dick not only helps students develop the ability to infer meaning using context clues—it also contains high-level vocabulary words about sailing!
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#8 The Harry Potter Series
Make learning vocabulary a magical experience with the Harry Potter series. Even the most riddikulus words of Rowling’s creation can be a great way to teach Latin and Greek roots!
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#7 Romeo and Juliet
Use the classic Romeo and Juliet, one of Shakespeare’s most accessible plays, to introduce your students to the fun (and often intimidating) world of Shakespearean vocabulary!
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#6 Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass
Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass recounts the author’s desperation, determination, and ultimate triumph over slavery. While the book contains some of the most challenging vocabulary your classes are likely to encounter in high school, it remains accessible and fascinating.
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#5 Flowers for Algernon
What novel challenges readers to decode intentional misspellings and construct meaning of SAT-level vocabulary from context? Must be Daniel Keyes’ Flowers for Algernon, a treasure of clever usage and wordplay. The fact that it’s riveting? Icing on the vocabulary cake.
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#4 All the Pretty Horses
All the Pretty Horses, the first book in Cormac McCarthy’s Border Trilogy, is filled with highly imaginative uses of vocabulary, including vintage and infrequently used terms to create the novel’s unique atmosphere.
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#3 Grapes of Wrath
Steinbeck masterfully weaves language in The Grapes of Wrath, a socio—historical narrative that brings life to both characters and setting. Rich vocabulary and vivid language are interspersed among plain—spoken colloquialisms, making unfamiliar words feel accessible and comprehensible to any reader engrossed in the tale.
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#2 Grendel
John Gardner’s Grendel not only presents students with challenging vocabulary but also provides a new twist on the Beowulf legend. In Gardner’s telling, Grendel isn’t simply a murderous monster; he’s an astute philosopher who struggles to understand humanity.
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#1 Gulliver's Travels
Few authors commanded the English language more ably than Jonathan Swift. If you’re looking for a deep dive into the joys and peculiarities of English vocabulary—including three different meanings of the word disposition—look no further than Gulliver’s Travels.
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