1. The Crucible by Arthur Miller. This play explains how a few young children were able to psychologically manipulate the community of Salem, Massachusetts in 1692. Even though the author chose to analyze a specific incident on colonial history, his purpose is much more generalized. Miller himself hounded by the McCarthy witchhunts of the 1950's , carefully depicts the constants of the human experience which place the unconventional at a disadvantage in society. This book is easy to read but has several levels of interpretation. The test is worth a maximum of 25 points.
2. The Night Thoreau Spent in Jail by Jerome Lawrence and Robert E. Lee(no this isn't the Confederate general). This play is a good summary of what made Henry David Thoreau tick. It carefully explores his relationship with Emerson, his protest of the Mexican American War, and the events of his life which encouraged him to develop the readical doctrine of civil disobedience. In terms of difficulty, this book is very similar to the The Crucible, and it is worth up to 25 points also.
3. Ramona by Helen Hunt Jackson. Pull out your handkerchiefs as this is a romantic tear-jerker!!! Much more importantly, this book demonstrates what happened to the California Indians as the Spanish and the Americans moved in. Very likely, if you chose to read this book, you will not be able to forget it---hopefully, your attitude towards the land and those who live upon it will grow also. It is easy to read, but significantly longer than either of the first two selections. It is worth to 35 points.
4. Ragged Dick by Horatio Alger. This is an absolutely atrocious work. Not only did Alger glorify his naive belief in laissez-faire capitalism, democracy, and human nature, but the plot is vapid, the characters are one-dimensional, and the style borders on the incompetent. So why read it? Millions of Americans did in the late 1800's, and the work reflects many of the same biases which existed in that yeasty, bustling, simplistic, and confused era. This novel is a good example of the "Gilded Age". Be sure to read the introduction...You can probably finish it in a couple of hours of concerted effort, and it is worth up to 15 points.
5. Inherit the Wind by Lawrence and Lee (remember these guys?). This is an excellent stage adaptation of the Scopes monkey Trial of 1925. The Bryan and Darrow characters are careful portrayed, much of the dialogue is verbatim court record or just slightly modified, and the most of the 20's is felt throughout all three acts. Pay particular attention to the character of Reverend Brown--I played him on stage at LGHS in 1968!!! This book is worth 25 points.
6. Black Like Me by John Howard Griffin. A truly amazing book, the author changes his skin color and shaves his hair so that he can impersonate a black man and visit the deep south in the early 1960's. This story surprised those who knew nothing of discrimination, it helped publicize and unify the cause for civil rights, and it outraged the bigoted and racist elements of our society. Griffin's had to leave his native Texas after he wrote this book, and you will understand why if you read it! It is worth 25 points.

I will try to finish other as soon as possible ^.^