High School American Literature

In this high school level literature course, we will focus on great literary works penned by American authors.  It would be a wonderful accompaniment to an American history course.  Using Progeny Press study guides, we will be reading and studying two American novels:  Fever 1793 by Laurie Halse Anderson (first half of the semester), and The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain (second half of the semester).  We will also do some fun in-class activities like watching biography videos on Mark Twain and making body biography posters for the characters in Fever 1793.  I have used Progeny Press for years and I like how they are written from a Christian worldview and incorporate scripture verses with the novels students will be studying.  I will supply both novels and a printed study guide for each book inside a binder. (I will supply one binder with a clear front so you can swap out study guides when we switch novels.)

Students WILL be expected to come to class each week with their Progeny Press study guides completed and prepared to discuss in class.  Please do not sign up your student if homework cannot be completed, as this course requires a lot of student participation.  There will be a pre-reading assignment and one essay assigned for each book in addition to the weekly study guide assignments.  Students are also encouraged to complete the end-of-book test/overview.  They will need to begin reading and completing the study guide two weeks prior to the first class.  (I can arrange a time to get the class materials to you.)  Completing two Progeny Press study guides is equivalent to a half credit for high-school students.

*If you would rather print the study guide yourself, I will refund you $9 on the first day of class.

**This class is for grades 9-12 (and mature 8th graders).

***This class will also be offered in Spring 2026 and we will be reading The Red Badge of Courage and A Day No Pigs Would Die.