Little Women

Louisa May Alcott's classic about the March sisters growing up in mid to late 19th century America has charmed generations of readers, including this lifelong Amy apologist. From accidentally burning your hair while getting ready for a party to growing up and discovering that achieving your childhood dreams isn't quite what you imagined, Little Women is delightfully and at times achingly relatable.

Average rating on Pango: 4.91

"There is not a single person who doesn’t love this book. Best for beginners who want to get into classics." - Atika Hussain

Rebecca

It's like a fairytale. A young girl with no money and no prospects marries a handsome and wealthy gentleman, who then whisks her to his beautiful estate by the sea. But all is not what it seems in this Gothic romantic thriller, and the presence of his dead first wife permeates every corner of this shadowy house. I first read Daphne Du Maurier's Rebecca as a junior in high school and have returned to it many times since, loving it more with every reread.

Average rating on Pango: 4.75

"I am not even sure I can put into words how beautiful this book is. I love it, it might be my new absolute favorite." - Sammi

A Separate Peace

In this WWII-era classic by John Knowles, an introverted, bookish student at a New England boarding school becomes friends with the class star athlete. Although they don't have much in common, their friendship deepens as they spend a summer together until an incident destroys their childhood and changes their lives forever. A Separate Peace is a campus novel that will stay with you long after you've finished reading.

Average rating on Pango: 3.38

"I had to read this book for school and enjoyed it way more than I thought I would." - Lanie G

Beloved

Beloved is not an easy book, but it's one that will change your life. Inspired by the true story of Margaret Garner, an enslaved woman who killed her daughter to prevent her from being recaptured and brought back into slavery, this classic imagines what would happen if the daughter's ghost came back to find her mother. I've read a lot of Toni Morrison's works, but Beloved is still my favorite.

Average rating on Pango: 4.63

"Beloved is THEE quintessential American novel.... Morrison's use of time and structure is seamless and bewitching." - BookSale

The Princess Bride

"Is this a kissing book?" Just like that, fourteen-year-old me was hooked. Not only is William Goldman's The Princess Bride about a pirate rescuing a princess from an evil prince, but it is also a story within story, specifically a grandfather reading a book also called The Princess Bride to his grandson, who becomes engrossed despite himself. Complete with hilarious footnotes and jabs at the genre, this book is perfect for fans and critics of romantic fantasy books.

Average rating on Pango: 4.33

"The 'good parts, abridged' treatment the author uses ... [is a ] twisty, fourth-wall-breaking, fresh take on this fantasy fairytale type of story." - Janey Price

I Capture the Castle

Cassandra is the daughter of a famous writer who has moved his family into a crumbling castle because he believes it will cure his writer's block. When the castle's rich owners arrive from America, Cassandra's older sister is intent on marrying one of them, and Cassandra find herself thrust from adolescence into young adulthood in the ensuing series of events. I Capture the Castle by Dodie Smith will resonate with teen readers learning to navigate the greater world. It did with me.

Average rating on Pango: 4.50

"If you need a cozy, lyrical read set in the English countryside, this book is for you." - Blush & Bashful Book Boutique

A Tree Grows in Brooklyn

Betty Smith's semi-autobiographical novel, A Tree Grows in Brooklyn, revolves around an eleven-year-old Francie Nolan growing up in New York City. Her parents, children of Irish and Austrian immigrants, don't have a lot of money, and her father battles with alcoholism. But Francie doesn't let her circumstances hinder her optimism, and her strong spirit has inspired thousands of young readers determined to make their own mark in the world.

Average rating on Pango: 5.00

"This was such a wonderful coming of age story where we see the main character from a little girl to a young woman." - Samantha

The House on Mango Street

Get to know the house on Mango Street, its residents, and its neighbors in this classic set in Chicago. Told in a series of vignettes, Sandra Cisneros's The House on Mango Street follows one year in Esperanza Cordero's life. Although the main character is twelve-years-old, the book skews towards older audiences, exploring concepts like social class, race, and sexuality. With simple writing and relevant themes, The House on Mango Street is the perfect book for a teen reader exploring the classics.

Average rating on Pango: 3.83

"I loved every second of this one." - Serena Bratten

Bless Me, Ultima

Bless Me, Ultima by Rudolfo Anaya is not as well-known as the other books on this list, but it deserves to be. Set in New Mexico, this magical realism classic centers on a young boy named Tony, who is caught between his parents' conflicting plans for his future. He then meets an elderly healer woman named Ultima, who becomes a mentor for him as he searches for his place in the world. Magical realism fans, this book is a must read.

Average rating on Pango: 4.50

"A spellbinding work of magical realism with vivid imageries that will stay with you for a long time to come." - Esther from Pango

The Great Gatsby

One of the most iconic works from the Roaring Twenties is F. Scott Fitzgerald's Jazz Age romance, The Great Gatsby. Filled with mansion parties and speeding cars, The Great Gatsby is about a delusional romantic who remakes himself in order to win back the love of his life, even though she is already married. This story delivers glitz and glamor with an undercurrent of sadness that culminates in a smashing climax you won't quickly forget.

Average rating on Pango: 4.59

"This is one of my favorite classics! I’ve read it many times and will likely read it many more." - Leigh Ann

The Catcher in the Rye

Another quintessential New York City classic is The Catcher in the Rye by J. D. Salinger. Seventeen-year-old Holden Caulfield has been kicked out of boarding school and spends a weekend on his own in the city, determined not to go home until the school has notified his parents of the expulsion. Directionless, Holden becomes increasingly disillusioned with his world in this angsty classic that will make teens feel seen.

Average rating on Pango: 3.82

"It perfectly encapsulates teenage angst and frustration. It doesn't gloss over anything and is quick to point out the prevalence of hypocrisy." - Rylo's Book Shop

Lord of the Flies

A plane evacuating British school boys during World War II crashes on an uninhabited island, leaving only the boys as survivors. At first, the freedom thrills them. But when fear and paranoia sets in, the boys turn on each other, leading to a reign of terror. Teens forming their own sense of right and wrong even as they yearn for more freedom from the adults in their lives will love William Golding's Lord of the Flies.

Average rating on Pango: 3.44

"This book has a lot of layers that when you peel back you definitely appreciate it much more." - Cade

Passing

Friendships are complicated, and no one knows that better than high school students. In Passing by Nella Larsen, Irene Redfield, a wealthy Black woman living in 1920s Harlem, reconnects with childhood friend Clare Kendry and discovers that Clare has been passing as a white woman, including to her husband. Irene is reluctant to become involved in these lies, but she also doesn't want to destroy her friend's life. This quick read about friendship, deceit, and love had me on the edge of my seat.

Average rating on Pango: 5.00

The Joy Luck Club

Explore complicated family dynamics, growing up, and becoming your own person in The Joy Luck Club by Amy Tan. This classic revolves around four sets of mother and daughters, with each chapter told from one of their perspectives. Not only will young readers relate to the daughters' apprehensions about their futures as well as their love for and frustrations with their mothers, they will also see how the mothers' actions are all fueled by their own traumas and upbringings.

Average rating on Pango: 5.00

Pride and Prejudice

Fans of the enemies-to-lovers trope will adore Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen. In this Regency romance, Elizabeth Bennet despises Mr. Darcy, a wealthy but arrogant gentleman who insulted her at a ball. But as they get to know each other better, both characters realize that there's more to the other than they first knew. Even if you don't read many classics, Pride and Prejudice is a great one with which to start.

Average rating on Pango: 4.50

"Jane Austen is such a funny writer, and her wit is unmatched." - Ashley Montenegro