Playlist : Books about Character

older kids and up

This is (obviously) not a comprehensive list. Simply stories I’ve enjoyed and appreciated that illuminate traits worth illuminating. Let me know of additions or ideas!

Adventure

Boldness

Bravery

Black Box by Jennifer Egan (2012, short story)
The Litigation Master and the Monkey King by Ken Liu (2013, short story)

Compassion / Empathy

Bad Latch by Curtis Sittenfeld (2018)
The Man Who Ended History: A Documentary by Ken Liu (2011, novella, WWII)
Miss Temptation by Kurt Vonnegut (1956)
The Ones Who Walk Away from Omelas by Ursula Le Guin (1973, short story)

Confidence

Cooperation

Courage

The Giver by Lois Lowry (1993)
Man’s Search for Meaning by Dr. Viktor Frankl (1946)
Mono no aware by Ken Liu (2012, space ark)

Craftiness

The Litigation Master and the Monkey King by Ken Liu (2013, short story)

Determination

The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas (1846)

Devotion

Long Walk to Forever by Kurt Vonnegut (1960)

Encouragement

Enthusiasm

Fairness

Faithfulness

Forgiveness

A Brief History of the Trans-Pacific Tunnel by Ken Liu (2012, short story)
The Paper Menagerie by Ken Liu (2011, mother-son, origami)
Simulacrum by Ken Liu (2011, tech that allows holographic interactive memories)
Tin Marsh by Michael Swanwick (2006, short story)

Generosity

Getting along

Tin Marsh by Michael Swanwick (2006)

Grief & Loss

The Paper Menagerie by Ken Liu (2011, mother-son, origami)
War by Luigi Pirandello (1918, short story)

Honesty

Humility

Imagination

The Rocket by Ray Bradbury (1951, dad comes up with a solution to space travel)
The Secret Life of Walter Mitty by James Thurber (1939, short story)

Innovation

The Rocket by Ray Bradbury (1951, dad comes up with a solution to space travel)

Integrity

Kindness

Love

An Advanced Readers' Picture Book of Comparative Cognition by Ken Liu (2012, short story)
EPICAC by Kurt Vonnegut (1950, short story)

Loyalty

Optimism

Patience

Peacefulness

Perseverance

Playfulness

Proactiveness

Purpose

Regret

A Brief History of the Trans-Pacific Tunnel by Ken Liu (2012, short story)
The Paper Menagerie by Ken Liu (2011, mother-son, origami)
Simulacrum by Ken Liu (2011, tech that allows holographic interactive memories)

Resourcefulness

Sacrifice

Mono no aware by Ken Liu (2012, space ark)

Self-discipline / self-control

Spirituality

Thoroughness

Tolerance

Trust