An ordinary day for most students often consists of boring moments. Typically, most people fill those moments with quick entertainment, whether that be scrolling, binge-watching TV shows or just taking a nap. But there are other ways to fill those moments, like for example, with books. Read on for a list of books recommended by Woodward’s teachers.
The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides | Recommended by Mrs. Jenifer Baro
If you are a reader who is interested in a psychological thriller or a murder mystery, then a highly recommended #1 New York Times Best Seller is The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides. The story follows a physiotherapist named Theo Faber who takes on the case of a woman, Alicia Berenson, who stopped talking after shooting her husband. While readers know who the murderer is from the beginning of the story, the real allure of this book is discovering the why behind the murderer’s actions. Woodward’s teachers describe it as a book that will grasp your attention and surprise you until the very end.
“The tempo, the characterization [and] the level of suspense that the author has been able to build is amazing,” Mrs. Baro said. “It is a highly recognized thriller.”
Rebound by Kwame Alexander | Recommended by Ms. Melissa Gilbert
Rebound by Kwame Alexander is a story that follows 12-year-old Charlie Bell in 1988 as he uses basketball as a way to handle his grief, among other things, after his father dies suddenly of a heart attack. “When someone gave it [Rebounded] to me, they said it was about basketball, poetry and I thought, ‘Are you kidding me?’ I’m not really a big poetry fan and I really don’t care about basketball,” Ms. Gilbert, one of the librarians, said. Although she had doubts at first, the book pleasantly surprised her, and she now recommends it. “But I picked it up and started reading it, and it’s so lovely because it’s the sort of book that just, it’s almost universal. Every reader is gonna find something in it that they are gonna relate to.”
Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë | Recommended by Mrs. Baro
A widely renowned classic novel that many Woodward teachers agree is a worthy and exciting read is Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë. This romantic gothic fiction follows an orphaned girl, Jane Eyre, through her journey to adulthood. She faces conflict between her social values and romance with her boss, Mr. Rochester, when she uncovers a dark secret. The book is known for its social depth, first person narration and an independent and determined heroine who challenged the Victorian social norms during the time. This book had a special place in the hearts of many faculty members while growing up.
“Jane Eyre is actually a favorite of a lot of English teachers on this floor . . . I read it in the ninth grade, and I actually still remember reading it, and I still remember how powerful it was to me,” Mrs. Baro said. “It was just a great book. I thought it was enthralling, engaging and a page turner.”
Poet X by Elizabeth Acevedo | Recommended by Mr. Art Kibert-Basler, referred to as Mr. KB
Poet X is set in Harlem, New York City, which is north of Manhattan. Our main character, Xiomara Batista, wants to become a slam poet. Mr. KB recommended this book because they don’t teach it anymore. He also believes that the story can relate to Woodward students. “She also has a difficult family that she is trying to work with, which I’m sure a lot of students could relate to,” Mr. KB said.
The Orphan Keeper by Camton Wright | Recommended by Mrs. Baro
Interested in historical fiction? The Orphan Keeper by Camron Wright won the 2016 Book of the Year Gold Medal for
Multicultural Fiction and is based on a true story. A young Indian boy, Chellamuthu, is kidnapped, sold to an orphanage, and adopted by an American family, where he is renamed Taj. The book explores his life as he grows up in the U.S. and tries to find his way back home and reunite with his family. Teachers believe that students will enjoy this book as it explores the intricacies of a true story of a boy in search of a place to belong.
“My mother-in-law, we don’t really read the same books,” Mrs. Baro said. “But I loaned the book to her and she loved it. She asked to pass it on to her sons and that just made me really know that that’s a book that speaks to many different people.”
ARCA by Van Jensen | Recommended by Mr. KB
Arca is a sci-fi graphic novel that follows Effie, who is a settler, headed to a new world with the last of humanity. Settlers are kids and teens who work for the rich and toil away and are forbidden to learn how to read. Effie learns her life is a lie, and she leads a revolt. The reason why Mr. KB recommended this book is because of the mystery surrounding the novel. “There’s a huge plot twist….. But people are trying to survive in the future. They really have no idea what’s going on. So it’s an interesting kind of mystery to be a part of.”
Conclusion:
Many people tend to enjoy picking their own books rather than being assigned a book in class. One has the freedom to relax and move at their own pace when reading for one’s own pleasure. Your teachers want you to enjoy and learn to love books, so if you would like to try out any of the books listed above or want more suggestions, feel free to ask.
“[These] are books that cause you to want to read and cause you to be pulled in,” Mrs. Baro said. “[You are] engaged rather than forcing yourself to read. So think, if we were able to choose what we wanted to read, it would be a game changer.”
