Recommended Reading
Here is a list of books that I have read and particularly enjoyed. Students make sure to ask your parents for permission before reading any of these books, some books contain varying degrees of violence, sex, suicide, racial slurs, and other adult themes. Read with caution!
Harry Potter by J.K. Rowling
Follow Harry Potter, the boy with the lightening scar through the incredible journey of his adolescence, how he grows to understand himself and his place in his magical world. It is a heart-wrenching tale in which Harry struggles to defeat the dark wizard (you-know-who) filled with love, loss, angst, disappointment, trial and ultimate triumph.
I grew up with these books, and started reading Harry Potter when I was in fourth grade. Rowling's magical world is a place I could always escape to brighten up a mundane, rainy day.
I grew up with these books, and started reading Harry Potter when I was in fourth grade. Rowling's magical world is a place I could always escape to brighten up a mundane, rainy day.
Boy Meets Boy by David Levithan
This book features a Utopian school and community where whimsy and serendipity abound, everyone is accepted no matter what sexual identity they hold. The main character Paul struggles to stay afloat in the crazy drama that is the average high school experience with his unique friends Joni, Tony and Infinite Darlene and Ted.
The Realm of Possibility by David Levithan
This book features the musings of several different high school students and their struggle to understand the relationships they hold dear; fit in to their school's society and find themselves.
Love Is The Higher Law by David Levithan
This book paints a vivid picture of the lives of three young adults in New York and how they were changed and influenced by 9/11. Follow the thoughts and feelings of Claire, Peter and Jasper as they struggle to make sense of 9/11, how they are brought together, and how their lives and views of the world change because of it.
Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist by Rachel Cohn and David Levithan
The main characters Nick and Norah meet at a club and have instant chemistry, will their new-found relationship survive the night? Will they both be able to move past the pain and insecurities inflicted upon them by their exes? This quirky novel elaborates on their budding romance and feelings toward music, graduation and the next step in their lives, college.
PARENTAL WARNING: This book has several adult themes and may not be appropriate for anyone under 18, unless parental permission is granted.
PARENTAL WARNING: This book has several adult themes and may not be appropriate for anyone under 18, unless parental permission is granted.
Funny In Farsi by Firoozeh Dumas
This autobiography follows the story of a young Iranian girl growing up in America. The challenges she faces, and the amusing stories that ensue. It provides insight into other cultures and how difficult it can be adapting in America. It also shows us that no matter your culture or where you are from, adolescents will always be embarrassed by their parents.
Code Talker: A Novel About the Navajo Marines of World War Two by Joseph Bruchac
This thought provoking historical fiction novel by Joseph Bruchac accurately portrays the hardships and stereotypes and hatred Navajos were subjected to during WWII and their bravery and their enormous contribution to the Allied forces in WWII.
Native Son by Richard Wright
This disturbing tale of "Bigger" shows one of the many consequences of racism. Follow Bigger as he unintentionally embraces the stereotype society had placed upon him.
PARENTAL WARNING: This book has several adult themes and may not be appropriate for anyone under 18, unless parental permission is granted.
PARENTAL WARNING: This book has several adult themes and may not be appropriate for anyone under 18, unless parental permission is granted.
The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd
This story follows the life of a 14 year old girl named Lily as she struggles to find her identity through her mother's past and become a writer with the help of her maid, Rosaleen Daise and the three Boatwright sisters who keep bees. This story also depicts Black Americans who prevail against racism and prejudice.
A Girl Named Zippy by Haven Kimmel
This autobiography details the life of a girl growing up in a small town in Indiana. The story is quick-witted and often caused me to laugh out loud, although it contains some serious observations as well. This book in particular describes the relationship the speaker has with her father.
She Got Up Off the Couch by Haven Kimmel
This book is a continuation of her autobiography "A Girl Named Zippy" and includes the later years of her childhood and also included several instances where hilarity ensues along with subdued passages worth contemplation. Alternately, this book details the relationship the author has with her mother.
The Perks of Being A Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky
This book paints a vivid, intimate picture of what it is to grow up in high school. The main character Charlie deals with various hurtles and experiments often associated with growing up; highlighting on his relationships with family, friends and his insights to the controversial world of sex and drugs.
PARENTAL WARNING: This book has several adult themes and may not be appropriate for anyone under 18, unless parental permission is granted.
PARENTAL WARNING: This book has several adult themes and may not be appropriate for anyone under 18, unless parental permission is granted.
Much Ado About Nothing by William Shakespeare
This play is one of Shakespeare's many comedies and is by far my favorite Shakespearean play. Follow the lovers Beatrice and Benedick as they are tricked into falling in love with each other as well as the trials of the couple Hero and Claudio who are sabotaged by the Prince's brother Don John. The wordplay between Beatrice and Benedick is beyond clever, and hilarious. Love, anger, jealousy, deceit and joy combine in this fabulous play.
Macbeth by William Shakespeare
This play is one of Shakespeare's tragedies and chronicles the madness of Macbeth as he is tempted by a future he can not see, one that he doesn't deserve as King of Scotland. Follow Macbeth as he loses all he has to gain the crown he had no right to, and his quick descent into guilt and insanity.
As You Like It by William Shakespeare
This comedy by William Shakespeare examines the rival relationship between two sets of brothers and the burgeoning love between Rosalind and Orlando and several other couples.
Love, cross-dressing and hilarity ensue.
Love, cross-dressing and hilarity ensue.
Angels and Demons by Dan Brown
Angels and Demons is a heart-pounding adventure in which Robert Langdon has a limited time to discover who is behind the kidnapping of the Preferiti (the cardinals nominated to succeed the Pope), save them, and locate the 'anti-matter' that is hidden somewhere in Vatican City before it explodes.
This book addresses the ideas of science, religion, and religious fanaticism.
This book addresses the ideas of science, religion, and religious fanaticism.
The Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follett
This is a historical fiction novel that takes place around around the year 1,100 and follows the lives and thoughts of several members of the town of Kingsbridge. It chronicles Jack the builder in his quest to build the most beautiful cathedral in England. Follow this story of scandal and deceit, love, lust, trial and hardship.
PARENTAL WARNING: This book has several adult themes and is not appropriate for anyone under 18, unless parental permission is granted.
STUDENT WARNING: This is what I like to call a BOB (Big Ol Book) This book is close to 1,000 pages. I highly recommend reading it during the summer when you actually have time to read it, because you are not going to want to put it down!
PARENTAL WARNING: This book has several adult themes and is not appropriate for anyone under 18, unless parental permission is granted.
STUDENT WARNING: This is what I like to call a BOB (Big Ol Book) This book is close to 1,000 pages. I highly recommend reading it during the summer when you actually have time to read it, because you are not going to want to put it down!
World Without End by Ken Follett
This historical fiction novel takes place around 300 years after The Pillars of the Earth, in the same town of Kingsbridge. Follow the twisted lives of the descendents of Jack the builder and how they deal with the bubonic plague.
PARENTAL WARNING: This book has several adult themes and is not appropriate for anyone under 18, unless parental permission is granted.
STUDENT WARNING: This is what I like to call a BOB (Big Ol Book) This book is close to 1,000 pages. I highly recommend reading it during the summer when you actually have time to read it, because you are not going to want to put it down!
PARENTAL WARNING: This book has several adult themes and is not appropriate for anyone under 18, unless parental permission is granted.
STUDENT WARNING: This is what I like to call a BOB (Big Ol Book) This book is close to 1,000 pages. I highly recommend reading it during the summer when you actually have time to read it, because you are not going to want to put it down!