Books you like teaching to Year 9 & 10

[Kelli]

With Years 9 & 10 we can introduce much more mature themes and complex storylines. Yet many students in this age range still need help with reading, or motivation to return to reading.
Add a note to this discussion forum with any thoughts you have about books that suit Year 9 & 10!

[Daniel]

The Story of Tom Brennan I really enjoy reading this with Year 9 classes. I know it is often studied in later years, but it works nicely with the Grade 9s at my (all boys) school. I use it as a way to discuss questions like 'how can individuals' actions have consequences for others?' and 'what makes a good man?'.

[Daniel]

Deadly Unna? This is my favourite book to read with Grade 10s. I have studied it with 'top' and 'bottom' streamed classes as well as with heterogeneous 'mixed' classes and the endearing, relatable voice of young narrator Blacky gets all students into the story. There is also a HEAP you can 'do' with it, I often use it to tackle the issue of 'is Australia really the land of the fair go?'.

[Kelli]

An oldie-but-a-goodie that I loved teaching with Year 10 is Letters From the Inside. The two main characters write letters to each other about some fairly heavy issues. I found it suited both my female and male students as there were strong female voices in the story, with plenty of real-world tension as well. Ideal to motivate a pen pal project with your class, to teach epistolary writing, and to showcase Australian writing.

[Hakea]

Tracks of the Missing

'Tracks of the Missing' (Magabala 2022) is a YA suspense thriller with great teaching resources available.

First Nations protagonist, outback setting, hard-hitting themes