How do we uphold goodness in a world where it can seem impossible? What are the consequences to the human heart when we fail to live up to the ideals of goodness? These are some of the questions posed by the texts in this collection which explores the theme of Good & Evil.
Publication year 2019
Genre Novel, Fiction
Themes Values/Ideas: Science & Technology, Values/Ideas: Safety & Danger, Values/Ideas: Power & Greed, Values/Ideas: Good & Evil, Relationships: Family, Natural World: Appearance & Reality
Tags Mystery / Crime Fiction, Horror / Thriller / Suspense Fiction, Psychological Fiction, Trauma / Abuse / Violence
Publication year 1957
Genre Poem, Fiction
Themes Identity: Race, Values/Ideas: Equality, Values/Ideas: Justice & Injustice, Values/Ideas: Good & Evil, Values/Ideas: Truth & Lies
Tags Lyric Poem, African American Literature, Race / Racism, Social Justice
Publication year 2007
Genre Novel, Fiction
Themes Emotions/Behavior: Courage, Values/Ideas: Good & Evil, Values/Ideas: Fate, Life/Time: Mortality & Death, Life/Time: The Past
Tags Classic Fiction, Fantasy, Science-Fiction / Dystopian Fiction, Action / Adventure
Publication year 1974
Genre Novel, Fiction
Themes Emotions/Behavior: Courage, Emotions/Behavior: Hate & Anger, Identity: Masculinity, Life/Time: Coming of Age, Self Discovery, Society: Education, Values/Ideas: Good & Evil, Values/Ideas: Justice & Injustice, Values/Ideas: Power & Greed
Tags Realistic Fiction, Coming of Age / Bildungsroman, Bullying, Education, Education, Modern Classic Fiction, Classic Fiction
The Chocolate War by Robert Cormier, first published in 1974, is a novel that delves into the dark aspects of adolescence, authority, and conformity. Set in an all-boys Catholic high school called Trinity, the story centers around Jerry Renault, a freshman who defies the school’s two most powerful forces–the secret student group known as the Vigils, and acting Headmaster Brother Leon–by refusing to participate in the annual chocolate sale. Jerry’s act of defiance exposes the... Read The Chocolate War Summary
Publication year 1985
Genre Novel, Fiction
Themes Identity: Gender, Life/Time: Coming of Age, Emotions/Behavior: Love, Relationships: Fathers, Values/Ideas: Religion & Spirituality, Values/Ideas: Good & Evil
Tags Historical Fiction, Classic Fiction, Coming of Age / Bildungsroman, History: U.S., American Literature, Modern Classic Fiction, History: World
The Cider House Rules is the sixth novel by the American Canadian author John Irving. It was published in 1985 by William Morrow and Company. The novel was made into a movie directed by Lasse Hallstrom in 1999. Other works by this author include Avenue of Mysteries, A Son of the Circus, and Until I Find You.This guide uses the 2012 William Morrow Kindle Edition of The Cider House Rules.Plot SummaryThe Cider House Rules is... Read The Cider House Rules Summary
Publication year 426
Genre Book, Nonfiction
Themes Values/Ideas: Good & Evil, Values/Ideas: Religion & Spirituality, Society: Community
Tags Religion / Spirituality, Philosophy, Christian literature, Ancient Rome
Publication year 2024
Genre Novel, Fiction
Themes Relationships: Family, Emotions/Behavior: Conflict, Emotions/Behavior: Courage, Emotions/Behavior: Determination / Perseverance, Emotions/Behavior: Forgiveness, Emotions/Behavior: Guilt, Emotions/Behavior: Joy, Emotions/Behavior: Memory, Identity: Femininity, Identity: Indigenous, Identity: Mental Health, Life/Time: Midlife, Life/Time: The Past, Natural World: Place, Relationships: Friendship, Relationships: Mothers, Self Discovery, Society: Colonialism, Society: Community, Society: Education, Society: Nation, Society: Politics & Government, Values/Ideas: Equality, Values/Ideas: Fate, Values/Ideas: Good & Evil, Values/Ideas: Justice & Injustice, Values/Ideas: Loyalty & Betrayal, Values/Ideas: Power & Greed, Values/Ideas: Religion & Spirituality, Values/Ideas: Safety & Danger, Values/Ideas: Trust & Doubt, Values/Ideas: Truth & Lies
Tags Historical Fiction, Mystery / Crime Fiction, Literary Fiction, Gothic Literature, Modern Classic Fiction, History: World
Publication year 1987
Genre Book, Nonfiction
Themes Society: Education, Values/Ideas: Good & Evil, Society: Community
Tags Philosophy, Education, Education, American Literature, Social Science, Sociology, History: World, Philosophy, Arts / Culture, Politics / Government
The Closing of the American Mind: How Higher Education Has Failed Democracy and Impoverished the Souls of Today’s Students, by Allan Bloom, is a non-fiction book published in 1987. The work is a critique of American culture and higher education and was considered a landmark in the culture wars of the 1980s. It was a surprise bestseller and a New York Times Book Review Notable Book of the Year. This guide refers to the page... Read The Closing of the American Mind Summary
Publication year -423
Genre Play, Fiction
Themes Society: Education, Values/Ideas: Good & Evil, Values/Ideas: Justice & Injustice
Tags Classic Fiction, Play: Drama, Play: Comedy / Satire, Ancient Greece, Philosophy, Religion / Spirituality
Clouds is an Attic Comedy by Aristophanes (circa 450-385 BCE). The play was initially produced at the City Dionysia in 423 BCE, where it placed third in a drama festival. Aristophanes subsequently worked on a revision that he never completed, and it is this incomplete revision that represents the surviving text of the play known today. Clouds centers on the character of Strepsiades and his ill-conceived attempt to learn sophistry, or fallacious arguments, from Socrates... Read The Clouds Summary
Publication year 2003
Genre Book, Nonfiction
Themes Emotions/Behavior: Conflict, Emotions/Behavior: Fear, Emotions/Behavior: Hate & Anger, Emotions/Behavior: Nostalgia, Emotions/Behavior: Revenge, Emotions/Behavior: Shame & Pride, Identity: Disability, Identity: Gender, Identity: Race, Life/Time: The Past, Society: Class, Society: Colonialism, Society: Community, Society: Economics, Society: Globalization, Society: Politics & Government, Society: War, Values/Ideas: Art, Values/Ideas: Good & Evil, Values/Ideas: Justice & Injustice, Values/Ideas: Order & Chaos, Values/Ideas: Power & Greed, Values/Ideas: Religion & Spirituality, Values/Ideas: Safety & Danger
Tags History: World, Military / War, WWII / World War II, History: European, Politics / Government
Publication year 1914
Genre Poem, Fiction
Themes Society: Nation, Emotions/Behavior: Determination / Perseverance, Emotions/Behavior: Conflict, Values/Ideas: Religion & Spirituality, Values/Ideas: Music, Values/Ideas: Good & Evil
Tags Narrative / Epic Poem, Race / Racism, Music, Classic Fiction
Publication year 2023
Genre Novel, Fiction
Themes Emotions/Behavior: Revenge, Life/Time: Mortality & Death, Natural World: Flora/plants, Values/Ideas: Good & Evil, Values/Ideas: Power & Greed, Values/Ideas: Safety & Danger, Values/Ideas: Truth & Lies
Tags Fantasy, Romance
Publication year 1987
Genre Novel, Fiction
Themes Emotions/Behavior: Hate & Anger, Emotions/Behavior: Shame & Pride, Emotions/Behavior: Fear, Emotions/Behavior: Determination / Perseverance, Emotions/Behavior: Conflict, Emotions/Behavior: Hope, Emotions/Behavior: Gratitude, Values/Ideas: Safety & Danger, Values/Ideas: Trust & Doubt, Values/Ideas: Good & Evil
Tags Action / Adventure, Immigration / Refugee, Trauma / Abuse / Violence, Children's Literature, Poverty, Military / War, Realistic Fiction, Historical Fiction
Gary Paulsen’s The Crossing is a young adult novel published in 1987. This realistic work of fiction highlights the hope and opportunity Manny, a Mexican teenager, envisions waiting for him in America, and the desperation that propels him to attempt the border crossing from Mexico into the United States.Paulsen (1939-2021) was a celebrated author of middle grade and young adult fiction, best known for writing the award-winning Hatchet series. His work often depicts wilderness settings... Read The Crossing Summary
Publication year 2021
Genre Novel, Fiction
Themes Relationships: Marriage, Self Discovery, Society: Politics & Government, Society: War, Values/Ideas: Fate, Values/Ideas: Good & Evil
Tags Romance, Fantasy, New Adult, Science-Fiction / Dystopian Fiction, Religion / Spirituality
Publication year 1973
Genre Novel, Fiction
Themes Values/Ideas: Good & Evil, Values/Ideas: Fate, Life/Time: Coming of Age, Values/Ideas: Art
Tags Fantasy, Children's Literature, Mythology, Action / Adventure, Classic Fiction
The Dark is Rising is a 1973 contemporary fantasy novel for young adult readers by English author Susan Cooper, and the second book in The Dark is Rising Sequence. It is preceded by Over Sea, Under Stone and followed by Greenwitch, The Grey King, and Silver on the Tree. The series, published between 1965 and 1977, focuses on eleven-year-old Will Stanton, who learns on his birthday that he is what is known as an “Old... Read The Dark Is Rising Summary
Publication year 2005
Genre Novel, Fiction
Themes Values/Ideas: Good & Evil
Tags Horror / Thriller / Suspense Fiction
Stephen King’sThe Gunslinger is the first in a series of eight novels comprising The Dark Tower series. The Gunslinger introduces the protagonist, anti-hero Roland Deschain, and his journey to find The Man in Black. Combining genre elements of horror, fantasy, and western, The Gunslinger is ultimately a travel narrative highlighting Roland’s physical and metaphysical quest to kill the Man in Black and find the mysterious tower.The Gunslinger takes place in a world like our own... Read The Gunslinger Summary
Publication year 2003
Genre Novel, Fiction
Themes Values/Ideas: Art, Emotions/Behavior: Determination / Perseverance, Emotions/Behavior: Conflict, Values/Ideas: Religion & Spirituality, Values/Ideas: Safety & Danger, Values/Ideas: Trust & Doubt, Values/Ideas: Good & Evil, Values/Ideas: Power & Greed, Values/Ideas: Truth & Lies, Values/Ideas: Win & Lose
Tags Mystery / Crime Fiction, Horror / Thriller / Suspense Fiction, Religion / Spirituality, Historical Fiction, Action / Adventure
The Da Vinci Code by Dan Brown was originally published in 2003 and has become an international bestseller, with sales of over 80 million. It was made into a popular movie starring Tom Hanks, Audrey Tatou, and Ian McKellen. The novel is Brown’s fourth, a fast-paced thriller with political, historical, and religious overtones. Its initial release generated controversy for perceived condemnation of the Catholic Church and historical inaccuracies. Despite the charges, The Da Vinci Code... Read The Da Vinci Code Summary
Publication year 1979
Genre Novel, Fiction
Themes Values/Ideas: Good & Evil, Emotions/Behavior: Fear, Emotions/Behavior: Grief, Emotions/Behavior: Hate & Anger, Emotions/Behavior: Shame & Pride
Tags Horror / Thriller / Suspense Fiction, Science-Fiction / Dystopian Fiction, Trauma / Abuse / Violence, Religion / Spirituality, Relationships, Mystery / Crime Fiction, Fantasy
The Dead Zone (1979) is a science fiction thriller novel by Stephen King. King’s story about a man who sees visions of the future after awakening from a years-long coma explores themes of missed opportunity, belief, and the sacrifices inherent in moral action. The novel was nominated for numerous awards, including the 1980 Locus Award, and has been adapted for film (1983) and television (2002-07). Please be advised that The Dead Zone includes mention of... Read The Dead Zone Summary
Publication year 2011
Genre Novel, Fiction
Themes Values/Ideas: Good & Evil, Values/Ideas: Trust & Doubt
Tags Science-Fiction / Dystopian Fiction, Fantasy, Action / Adventure
The novel opens by showing Thomas, who is stuck in a padded room and consumed with anger. Not only is he disgusted with WICKED, but he also cannot reconcile the betrayal he feels Teresa has committed back in the Scorch. He can no longer speak to either her or Aris telepathically. Each day, he watches the door, waiting and willing for it to open. On the 26th day, the door opens. The Rat Man, Janson, announces... Read The Death Cure Summary
Publication year 2024
Genre Novel, Fiction
Themes Identity: Mental Health, Self Discovery, Values/Ideas: Good & Evil, Values/Ideas: Religion & Spirituality
Tags Fantasy, Romance