22 Inspirational Books for Secondary English Classrooms


Stories about heroes motivate readers like few other books do. Whether it's mythology, a fictional hero, or real-world nonfiction, we want to cheer for characters who overcome and make a difference.

I recently asked several English teachers to share fiction OR nonfiction titles about inspiring books that are appropriate for a secondary classroom, and here are the results.



Click on the name of the person recommending the book to read her book review.

#1: When Thunder Comes

Recommended by @secondarysara. Link to Amazon

#2: Marie Curie: A Photographic Story of a Life

Recommended by @readingandwritinghaven. Link to Amazon

#3: Notorious RBG

Recommended by @mrsorman. Link to Amazon.

#4: I am Malala

Recommended by @literarysherri. Link to Amazon.

#5: Courage to Soar

Recommended by @studyallknight. Link to Amazon

#6: I Will Always Write Back

Recommended by @room213tpt. Link to Amazon

#7: The Boy on the Wooden Box

Recommended by @hansonhallway. Link to Amazon

#8: Becoming

Recommended by @yacafepodcast. Link to Amazon

#9: Outcasts United

Recommended by @elaeveryday. Link to Amazon

#10: Hidden Girl

Recommended by @erinbeers. Link to Amazon

#11: Where Men Win Glory

Recommended by @doccopteaching. Link to Amazon

#12: A Smile As Big as the Moon

Recommended by @mrsspanglerinthemiddle. Link to Amazon

#13: A Hope More Powerful Than the Sea


Recommended by @elaclassroom and @readitwriteitlearnit.
Link to Amazon

#14: We Are Displaced

Recommended by @addiewilliams_tpt. Link to Amazon

#15: The Firebrand and the First Lady

Recommended by @nouvelle_ela. Link to Amazon

#16: Just Mercy

Recommended by @prestoplans. Photo credit to @thelibraryofsin.
Link to Amazon

#17: The Glass Castle

Recommended by @thedaringenglishteacher. Link to Amazon

#18: A Long Way Gone

Recommended by @theclassroomsparrow. Link to Amazon

#19: The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind

Recommended by @theliterarymaven. Link to Amazon

#20: Return of the King

Recommended by @ebacademics. Link to Amazon

#21: DK Biography: Barack Obama
Recommended by @2peasandadog. Link to Amazon

#22: Thunder Dog

Recommended by @elabuffet. Link to Amazon


Do you have additional recommendations?
Tell us in the comments!

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