Editor’s Note: This article was written for Mosaic, an independent journalism training program for high school students who report and photograph stories under the guidance of professional journalists.

When I lived in Mexico, my seventh-grade Spanish teacher assigned us to read the novel “Don Quixote,” written in 1605. I loved that book! But most of my classmates hated it. They said it was boring and too long.

That book inspired  me to explore more literature as a hobby rather than a school obligation, and now I’ve been noticing how students here need to explore more of these books.

Classic literature is a big and old thing that has become part of our culture, but it has been fading from required reading lists. Classics are historical pieces that everyone should give a chance and read.

I love learning old words that classic books offer. It’s fantastic to see and compare these to the words that we speak now and read in contemporary literature. The evolution of writing and literature, and their emotional effects on us, are impressive.

For example, ”Don Quixote” talks about the conflict between imagination and reality. It also explores the human imagination through social criticism. This long but creative story with its unique characters and setting makes for a full and entertaining story for today’s students to enjoy.

In “Frankenstein; or, The Modern Prometheus,” written in 1816, Mary Shelley explores the human ambition to gain knowledge and warns that the consequences may result in horrible outcomes. This is a lesson today’s students still need to learn.

And for those who say that old novels are boring, I say give them a chance! Teachers should suggest a book or genre students can connect with and enjoy.

For example, in “The Picture of Dorian Gray,” written in 1890, Oscar Wilde criticizes vanity and corrupting influence, as when Lord Harry makes Dorian obsess over his image, and explores the connection between appearance and ambition. This book teaches us about art, beauty, identity, ambition and morality.

“The Diary of a Young Girl,” commonly referred to as “The Diary of Anne Frank,” is a book that reflects on the agony and despair that war causes to the most innocent souls. Anne’s tragic story teaches about hope, empathy, resilience and the struggle against prejudice and religious hatred.

Great books were meant to entertain and teach. The classics did this in their time and can do it again.

Angelique Alvarez Martinez is a member of the class of 2026 at San Jose High School.