From Don Henley to Taylor Swift: Songs That Reference The Great Gatsby

One of the signs of a great classic is if it has lasting importance and impacts. One of the ways we can see The Great Gatsby taking on new meanings 100 years later is through different art forms. We have already talked a bit on this blog about how music is important to The Great …

Bringing the Themes in The Great Gatsby to Life

In the last 100 years, The Great Gatsby has shot up to be one of the most popular books taught in high school English classrooms. Yet time and time again it is used in the same way, discussing symbolism of the green light and pursuit of the past. While this book is a great gateway …

Companion Texts to The Great Gatsby

The Great Gatsby is a well-known classic that offers a view into things like ambition, identity, disillusionment, and the American Dream. While it has become a staple in many high school classes, some students have trouble connecting with all the “rich white people problems” that make up much of the plot. One way to bring …

Whose American Dream?

This year, our book selections are all about exploring the American Dream and how it looks different for people across the United States. The American Dream is often described as the idea that anyone, regardless of background, can achieve a better life through hard work and determination. However, how attainable this dream feels depends on …

The Great Gatsby Trivia

The Great Gatsby might be a famous classic, but there are some fun facts surrounding the novel that you probably haven’t heard of before. Take this trivia test below to see how much you really know about The Great Gatsby!

The Fabulous Five: Big Read Lakeshore’s 2024 Book Selections

By Deborah Van Duinen In the first few years of our Big Read Lakeshore program, we chose one book to read every year. This book was geared toward high school students and older, and our events and book discussions were geared toward this audience. In response to community members, librarians, and elementary school teachers who …