It depends on the school and department; sometimes we are told which books to teach based on grade and theme of the course. Many older books are still relevant today, like To Kill A Mockingbird (racism) or The Great Gatsby (party lifestyle and desire for success). We also try to use more modern books too. The two different books I’m teaching this semester were published within the last 10 years. There is usually a plan for why teachers use books; there is a lesson in everything we read.
Teaching In Real Life 