Book Descriptions

1984
Published in 1949, this book offers political satirist George Orwell’s nightmare vision of a totalitarian,
bureaucratic world. It is a story of one man’s attempt to discover his individuality.
Animal Farm
This political fable is based on the events of Russia’s Bolshevik Revolution and the betrayal of the cause of
Joseph Stalin. Barnyard animals overthrow and chase off their exploitative human masters and set up an
egalitarian society of their own. Eventually the pigs lead a revolution, forming a dictatorship worse than they had
with their former human masters.
Brave New World
In the Utopia described, everyone consumes daily grams of soma to fight depression, babies are born in
laboratories, and the most popular form of entertainment is a “Feelie,” a movie that stimulates the senses of sight,
hearing, and touch. But Bernard Marx feels something is missing and senses his relationship with a young woman
could be much more than it is. Huxley wrote about many of the practices and gadgets that we take for granted
today.
The Grapes of Wrath
This story describes the survival of the Joad family in California during the Great Depression of the 1930s. As
migrant farm workers hoping for rich earth and good jobs, they instead compete for slave wages and live in
horrible conditions. They also deal with the hatred and violence of locals frightened by the influx of outsiders.
They learn not to question the law for fear of being beaten or run out of town. They band together, hoping for
better fortune around the corner.
Huckleberry Finn
Huck experiences adventures on the Mississippi River with an escaped slave, Jim. Huck lives happily, free as a
bird, enjoying life on the river.
I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings
This book is the unforgettable memoir of an African American girl recalling the anguish of growing up in the
1930s and 1940s. She lived her teen years in the slums of a tiny Arkansas town.
The Little Prince
This book describes the adventures of a little prince who visited Earth from his own tiny planet. Although
whimsical in its approach and full of fantasy, it is a solid look at human values.

Of Mice and Men

This classic story of loyalty and friendship focuses on two traveling farm workers, George and Lennie. George
has taken on responsibility for the mildly retarded Lennie, who constantly seems to fall into trouble of one sort or
another. George and Lennie do not plan to travel forever, however, and hope to someday have a little place of
their own.
Passages
This book describes the predictable and inevitable stages of adult life in our 20s, 30s, 40s, and 50s. The author,
Gail Sheehy, outlines the crises we can expect, suggesting opportunities for creative change and problem solving.
Roots
This is a story that traces seven generations of black slaves in America. It reveals the cruelty of humanity.
To Kill a Mockingbird
This is the story of a young girl in Alabama in 1930. Her father, a lawyer, defends an African American accused
of raping a white woman. The people of the town are very prejudiced and prone to violence. The young girl sees
the impact her father’s heroism has on her and the town as he fights for justice.
War and Peace
This book relates war between nations to quarrels between people. It points out that we must overcome individual
selfishness if there is to be any hope for peace in the world.
Copyright © McGraw-Hill 1999.