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Required reading: The books that students read in 28 countries around the world

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Required reading: The books that students

read in 28 countries around the world
Dec 7, 2016 / Daryl Chen + Laura McClure

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This compilation of reading assigned to students

everywhere will expand your horizons and your
bookshelves.
In the US, most students are required to read To Kill a Mockingbird during their school years.
This classic novel combines a moving coming-of-age story with big issues like racism and
criminal injustice. Reading Mockingbird is such an integral part of the American educational
experience that we wondered: What classic books are assigned to students elsewhere?
We posed this question to our TED-Ed Innovative Educators and members of the TED-Ed
community. People all over the globe responded, and we curated our list to focus on local
authors. Many respondents made it clear in their countries, as in the US, few books are
absolutely mandatory. Take a look at what students in countries from Ireland to Iran, Ghana to
Germany, are asked to read and why:

Afghanistan
Quran
What its about: The revelations of God as told to the prophet Muhammad, this is the central
religious text of Islam and remains one of the major works of Arabic literature.
Why its taught: Overall, there is no culture of reading novels in my country, which is sad,
says Farokh Attah. The only book that must be read in school is the holy Quran, and everyone
is encouraged to read it starting from childhood.

Albania
Kronik n gur (1971) by Ismail Kadare
What its about: Known in English as Chronicle in Stone, this novel is told through the eyes of
a child and shows how different conquering forces Italian fascist, Greek and Nazi ravage a
small Albanian city during World War II.
Why its taught: Kadare is one of the most critically acclaimed Albanian writers, and was
nominated several times for the Nobel Prize in Literature. This book helps you understand
vividly what World War II meant for the people who lived through those events, says Vaitson
umaku. Because its from the perspective of a child, it also shows you that there can be
optimism during hard times.

Australia
Tomorrow, When the War Began (1993) by John Marsden
What its about: A teenage girl and her friends return from a camping trip to find that an
unidentified foreign military force has invaded Australia.
Why its taught: This book speaks to our fear of invasion and our fighting spirit, says Beth
James Waters. It also beautifully portrays the vastness of and abundant natural dangers in our
land.

Austria
Faust (1787) by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
What its about: In this play, a scholar named Faust makes a pact with Mephistopheles the
devil because Faust is dissatisfied with life. The devil says he will grant Faust a transcendent
moment, but in return, Faust must act as his servant for eternity in hell. Through the devils
intervention, Faust falls in love with a beautiful young girl named Gretchen. Tragedy ensues.
Why its taught: It raises many vast philosophical debates, including science versus spirituality,
reason versus passion, and salvation versus damnation, and it can be interpreted in many ways,
says Barbara Paulmayer. Faust is not as easy to understand as newer pieces of literature, so it
stimulates students to think in a different way. In addition, its plot and themes have gone on to
influence many other works.

Bosnia; Serbia

Na drini uprija (1945) by Ivo Andri

What its about: Known in English as The Bridge on the Drina, this novel sweeps through 300
years in a small town near the Mehmed Pasha Sokolovi bridge. Its story begins in the 16thcentury Ottoman Empire, when the bridge was built, to World War I, when it was partially
destroyed.
Why its taught: Andri received a Nobel Prize, and so far he has been the only Nobel Prize
winner from Serbia, Croatia and Bosnia. It is truly a timeless book, says Martin Konda. Its
themes and stories also apply to humanity today. The bridge acts as a dumb witness to empires
being born and crushed, human lives reaching their peaks and depths, and countries being
established and destroyed.

Brazil
Morte e vida Severina (1955) by Joo Cabral de Melo Neto
What its about: Known in English as The Death of a Severino, this play in verse is about the
arduous journey of a man who is fleeing the drought- and poverty-stricken northeastern region of
Brazil in search of a better situation and the city.
Why its taught: It shows the dual conditions that the country has always presented and still
presents poor lives, inequality, ignorance, and silent people, versus a city population, with all
its advantages and the distance between these two groups, says Andrea Rodrigues.

Bulgaria
Under the Yoke (1894) by Ivan Vazov
What its about: This novel looks at a Bulgarian village under Ottoman rule and depicts a failed
insurrection in the 1870s that helped trigger the countrys eventual breakaway. The large cast of
characters includes villagers on both sides of the rebellion.
Why its taught: For one thing, Vazov is seen as the father of Bulgarian literature. But, adds
Kristine OMalley, Being enslaved by the Ottoman Empire and the struggle for independence
have shaped the national identity of Bulgarians, making this book a perennially popular read.

Canada
The Wars (1977) by Timothy Findley
What its about: Robert Ross, a 19-year-old Canadian, tries to cope with the death of his sister
by enlisting to fight in World War I. Beset by his own demons, he travels to France where he
fights in the trenches and sees the worst of warfare and of humanity.
Why its taught: Its an iconic Canadian novel. Its so brutally honest in its depiction of war,
sorrow, and coming to terms with an uncaring world in ones own way, says Karen GoepenWee.

Chile
Sub Terra (1904) by Baldomero Lillo
What its about: This short-story collection is about the backbreaking, impoverished, dangerous
existence of coal miners in southern Chile in the late 19th century.

Why its taught: Sub Terra represents an important part of Chiles history, says Natalia
Salamanca Moreno. These stories show students a lifestyle that is completely different from
theirs today, which can help them appreciate what they have now. The stories also emphasize
important, timeless family values, like being thankful for your parents and their efforts.

China
Analects by Confucius
What its about: This book is a compilation of the teachings of the ancient philosopher
Confucius; its believed to have been written sometime between 475 BC and 221 BC.
Why its taught: Teachers want students to learn good morals from the Analects, like showing
respect to your parents, learning merit from others no matter their status, and using critical
thinking, says Aylee Lu. This book remains a cornerstone of Chinese culture.

Colombia
Cien aos de Soledad (1967) by Gabriel Garca Mrquez
What its about: This pioneering fictional work of magical realism known to Englishlanguage readers as 100 Years of Solitude traces the rise and fall of a fictional Colombian
town through five generations of the Buenda family, starting in the early 19th century.
Why its taught: Mrquez is considered one of the most important writers in the Spanish
language, and he was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1982. This novel depicts the
violence that has plagued Colombia for decades, and shows how much corruption and suffering
Colombians have endured, says Daniela Ramirez Barreto. Yet there is something about us that
refuses to give up.

Cyprus
The Murderess (1903) by Alexandros Papadiamantis
What its about: This novella is about an old woman named Hadoula who lives on the island of
Skiathos. She murders poor young girls as a kind of mercy killing, since she views their future
prospects to be limited and bleak.
Why its taught: It sheds light on the role of women and on gender roles within marriage; these
are of great importance in Cyprus and Greece, says Evanthia Poyiatzi. And it makes students
decide whether the womans behavior is ethical or unethical.

Egypt
The Days (1935) by Taha Hussein
What its about: This book is the autobiography of intellectual and writer Hussein, who lived
from 1889 to 1973. He became blind at the age of 3 but grew up to be the minister of education
in his country and is one of the most influential figures in Egyptian literature.
Why its taught: The book teaches students the importance of gathering knowledge, the need
to rebel against traditions and the negative effects of ignorance upon individuals in a society,
says Mahmoud Attalla.

Finland
Seitsemn veljest (1870) by Aleksis Kivi
What its about: Known in English as Seven Brothers, this book is about a quarrelsome family
of seven brothers and their struggles in rural Finland. They eventually grow and mature into
decent members of society.
Why its taught: It is believed to be the first truly Finnish novel by a Finnish author in the
Finnish language about ordinary people. Its considered the national novel of Finland, says
Jaani Lnsi. Its about Finnish stubbornness.

Germany
Tagebuch der Anne Frank (1947)
What its about: Known in English as The Diary of Anne Frank, this journal was kept by a
Jewish girl named Anne Frank as she lived with her family in hiding in Amsterdam under Nazi
occupation.
Why its taught: We should never forget what horrors were unleashed by narrow-thinking
people, says Charlotte Bhm.

Ghana; Nigeria
Things Fall Apart (1958) by Chinua Achebe
What its about: Set in Nigeria in the 1900s, this novel follows Okonkwo, an Igbo leader and
village wrestling champion, his journey to power and glory, and his eventual fall when he fights
back against white colonialists.
Why its taught: On the surface, its a celebration of African traditionalism and how those
ideals were washed away with the coming of the missionaries, says Ama Y Adi-Dako. At the
heart of it, though, it is a critical look at the concept and drawbacks of African and tribal
masculinity.

Indonesia
Laskar Pelangi (2005) by Andrea Hirata
What its about: Known in English as Rainbow Troops, this novel is based on a true story about
ten students from a remote village in Indonesia who, with the help of a pair of inspiring teachers.
learn to stand up for themselves and their community.
Why its taught: It teaches sacrifice, dedication, hard work, passion, brotherhood, friendship,
optimism and perseverance in the face of challenges, says Mahrukh Bashir.

India
Autobiography: The Story of My Experiments With Truth (1927-1929) by Mohandas K.
Gandhi
What its about: The Indian leaders memoir covers his life from his childhood to his early 50s.
Why its taught: This book upholds the essence of living a life with dignity, which is possible
only through truth and nonviolence, says Bismi Sain.

Iran
Poems by writers such as Hafiz, SaAddi, Ferdowsi, Rumi and Khayyam
What theyre about: Love, beauty, joy and other themes.
Why theyre taught: In Iran, the novel is a relatively newer form of literature, says Ne Da.
But among our literary classics are abundant poets and poetry. Each poem speaks to a different
value.

Ireland
Ice Man: the Adventures of an Irish Antarctic Hero(2010) by Michael Smith
What its about: Its a biography of Tom Crean, an Irish boy who ran away from home at the
age of 15 to join Captain Robert Falcon Scotts Antarctic voyage. He was also a member of
Ernest Shackletons Enduranceexpedition.
Why its taught: It shows that the Irish are ambitious explorers who can triumph over adversity
and that through hard work, focus and dedication, everything is possible, says Naoimh Morton.

Italy
I Promessi Sposi (1827) by Alessandro Manzoni
What its about: Known in English as The Betrothed, this novel takes place in northern Italy in
the first half of the 17th century. Italy was not yet a nation, and this book shows the lives of
villagers living under repressive Spanish rule as well as the impact of a deadly plague that killed
many people.
Why its taught: I Promessi Sposi is one of the two pillars of Italian literature, says Sofia
Ramundo. Its still relevant today because it helped set the basis for what the Italian language
is.

Pakistan
The Reluctant Fundamentalist (2007) by Mohsin Hamid
What its about: An international bestseller, this novel follows the story of a Pakistani man as
he reflects on his time in the United States before and after the events of September 11, 2001.
Why its taught: These books touch the unique dilemmas faced by modern Pakistanis who are
struggling with fundamental ideals and trying to find their own identity, says Vajiha Atiq.

Philippines
Noli Me Tangere (1887) by Jose Rizal
What its about: Rizal went on to be a hero of the Philippine revolution, and his novel the
English-language title is Touch Me Not shows life in the Philippines society under cruel,
repressive, arbitrary Spanish Catholic rule.
Why its taught: By combining a dramatic story with an activist message, this novel has been
compared to Uncle Toms Cabin by Harriet Beecher Stowe. It is taught to help students
appreciate the efforts of our forefathers in shaping our independence, says John Eric Uy.

Russia
War and Peace (1869) by Leo Tolstoy
What its about: Following the lives and loves of five families, this epic novel begins in 1805
and continues through Napoleons 1812 invasion of Russia.
Why its taught: War and Peace is basically speaking about every aspect of our life: how to be
valuable in society, how to be forgiving, and how to be respectful, says Valentina Ishmanova. I
believe everyone goes through the same situations as Tolstoys characters Natasha, Pierre, and
Prince Andrei.

US
To Kill A Mockingbird (1960) by Harper Lee
What its about: A classic novel about the American South in the 1930s that illustrates how
racism, sexism and injustice have shaped US history (and still cause harm today).
Why its taught: Were still dealing with racism and systematic prejudice, especially in the
legal system in the US, says Shaun McGovern.

Vietnam
Truyn Kiu (1820) by Nguyn Du
What its about: Its an epic narrative poem about a young woman named Truyen Kieu who is
driven to sacrifice herself to save her family.
Why its taught: Known in English as The Tale of Kiu, the poem shows the humanity and the
beauty of my country, says Joy Truong, who adds that she likes its positive qualities, a stark
contrast to most other stories and poems which focus on the difficulties of the Vietnamese.