The winner was To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee. A NYT critic says of the choice, “As an adult, I can perceive why the novel might hold enduring appeal for many and enduring repulsion to perhaps just as many. I cannot fathom the complexities of teaching it to elementary school students in 2021, especially after reading online accounts from teachers on both the ‘pro’ and ‘against’ sides.” The runners up were: 2) The Fellowship of the Ring by J.R.R. Tolkien3) 1984 by George Orwell4) One Hundred Years of Solitude by Gabriel García Márquez5) Beloved by Toni Morrison You can read more about why these books were voted for as well as more nominations at The New York Times. Find more news and stories of interest from the book world in Breaking in Books.
