I'm a Stranger Here Myself

I'm a Stranger Here Myself: Notes on Returning to American After 20 Years Away is a collection of vignettes written by Bill Bryson. Bryson, an American who lived in the UK for two decades, wrote this humorous collection of stories after his long-awaited return to the U.S. The stories light heartedly comment on a number of aspects of American culture, including dental floss and the justice system.

While Bryon's work surely cannot be accounted as history, his commentary on modern America cannot be ignored. I believe this would be a good choice in a high school social studies room because it would get students thinking about the country we live in.

In the English classroom, we don't typically read a lot of humor writing. This would be a good place to start! Furthermore, this book provides a great model and inspiration to get students writing.

Jane Austen

Jane Austen's works are noted for their dry commentary on life in England during the late 1700's and early 1800's. That said, they are a great option for both the English and Social Studies classrooms because they are an example of incredible literature as well as a critique of society.

In my opinion, some of Austen's best works are Pride and Prejudice, Persuasion, and Northanger Abbey. Each novel contains an intriguing love story centered around the mixed-up romantic ways of the period. Austen was also privy to the political climate of the time period, which she makes clear in her novels as well.

One problem with Austen's novels is that she is a "love her or hate her" kind of author. I think that male students would have a difficult time getting into her novels, which are always told from a female perspective.

Many of Austen's novels have also been made into films. The recent Pride and Prejudice film starring Colin Firth and Keira Knightley is especially good!