JAMB 2026/2027 Recommended Textbooks for Literature in English

Is Literature in English one of the subjects you are combining for 2026 UTME? Then let’s guide you on one of the best tips to score higher in the examination, that being using JAMB 2026/2027 recommended textbooks for Literature in English while you are studying.

In these approved textbooks has helped previous UTME candidates comprehend drama, prose, and poetry, the three areas that often challenge candidates because of their analytical depth. In other words, these books provides advantage including clear explanations, summaries, themes, stylistic devices, and sample questions aligned with the current syllabus.

List of JAMB Recommended Literature in English Textbooks 2026

S/N	Book Title	Author(s)	Brief Description
DRAMA – AFRICAN & NON-AFRICAN
1	Harvest of Corruption	Frank Ogodo Ogbeche	A political satire exposing corruption, moral decay, and the consequences of abuse of power in society.
2	Othello	William Shakespeare	A tragic play exploring jealousy, manipulation, betrayal, and racial tension through the life of Othello the Moor.
PROSE – AFRICAN & NON-AFRICAN
3	Faceless	Amma Darko	Examines child abuse, street life, gender issues, and social injustice in modern African urban society.
4	Native Son	Richard Wright	A powerful narrative about racism, poverty, psychological oppression, and societal pressures in 1930s America.
POETRY – AFRICAN
5	Vanity	Birago Diop	Reflects on African traditions, spirituality, and the consequences of abandoning ancestral values.
6	Ambush	Gbemisola Adeoti	Highlights societal exploitation, failed leadership, and national challenges in symbolic imagery.
7	Piano and Drums	Gabriel Okara	Contrasts African tradition and Western influence using musical metaphors.
8	The Dining Table	Gbanabam Hallowell	Describes the horrors of war using vivid imagery and satirical tones.
9	The Panic of Growing Older	Lenrie Peters	Discusses the passage of time, unfulfilled dreams, and the realities of adulthood.
10	The Anvil and the Hammer	Kofi Awoonor	Symbolises identity struggle and cultural fusion in the modern African experience.
POETRY – NON-AFRICAN
11	Crossing the Bar	Alfred Tennyson	A reflective poem on death, transition, and hope.
12	The Pulley	George Herbert	Explores divine purpose, human desire, and God’s relationship with humanity.
13	The School Boy	William Blake	Critiques restrictive education systems and praises natural learning.
14	The Proud King	William Morris	A poetic tale about pride, fall, and the transformative journey towards humility.
ANTHOLOGIES
15	Naked Soles	Gbemisola A.	A contemporary poetry anthology exploring modern African experiences and emotions.
16	The Penguin Book of English Verse	Hayward, J. (ed.)	A collection of major English poems from different eras, useful for poetry appreciation.
17	New Poetry from Africa	Johnson, R. et al (eds.)	Features diverse African voices and themes suitable for UTME literary analysis.
18	Oxford Anthology of English Literature, Vol. II	Kermode, F. et al	Contains critical English poems and works that aid understanding of classic literature.
19	West African Verse	Nwoga, D. (ed.)	Popular WAEC/JAMB anthology offering African poems with commentary.
20	A Selection of African Poetry	Senanu & Vincent (eds.)	A widely used anthology containing key African poems with explanatory notes.
21	Poems of Black Africa	Wole Soyinka (ed.)	A rich compilation of African poems focusing on culture, identity, politics, and human struggles.
CRITICAL TEXTS
22	A Glossary of Literary Terms	M.H. Abrams	Defines key literary concepts, techniques, and genres essential for exam analysis.
23	A Dictionary of Literature	Emeaba, O. E.	Provides explanations of major literary terms and authors in simple language.
24	Understanding UnseeN	Murphy, M. J.	Teaches how to analyze poetry and prose passages effectively—very useful for UTME unseen texts.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: Are these the official JAMB recommended texts for Literature in English?

A: Yes, these titles match the current syllabus and include all African and non-African works selected for the UTME.

Q: Do I need to read all the poems, plays, and novels?

A: You should study every selected text because exam questions can come from any of the listed works.

Q: Which book helps most with answering poetry questions?

A: Murphy’s Understanding Unseen is excellent for learning how to interpret unseen poems and passages.

Q: Will JAMB ask direct questions from the anthologies?

A: Anthologies help you understand poetry techniques broadly, but JAMB questions usually focus on the prescribed poems.

Q: Does JAMB repeat questions from previous years?

A: Themes and patterns repeat, but the exact wording rarely does. Studying past questions still helps with exam expectations.

Q: How should I divide my study time among drama, prose, and poetry?

A: Allocate equal time to all three; however, poetry often requires more revision because of its analytical demands.

7. Are summaries enough for JAMB Literature in English?

No. You must understand themes, character roles, figures of speech, and context. Summaries alone are not sufficient.

8. Do I need a critical text to pass JAMB Literature?

Critical texts like A Glossary of Literary Terms help you understand techniques JAMB expects you to identify.