Juniors! Have you ever wondered what your peers are reading/will read in English Class? Well, look no further as we’ve compiled every book Shorecrest Juniors are reading in the first quarter of the school year, and books that have a high chance to appear in later semesters. There are some surprises and some classics of American and World Literature, so make sure to check out the ones that you find most interesting. Special thanks to Mr. Peterson for providing the names of the books! Short summaries were provided by Goodreads, so be sure to check them out!
The Firekeeper’s Daughter, Angelina Boulley
Genre: Young Adult
Released on March 16, 2021, the powerhouse debut of Angeline Boulley has become a young adult classic in only three years, showcasing the Native American spirit and bond. The book is going to be adapted into a Netflix series sometime in the near future by Obama’s Higher Ground production company. It follows an 18-year-old girl, Daunis Fontaine. Throughout the novel, Daunis is finding her identity and is working with the FBI to protect her community from the dangers of drug addiction. Although at times the pacing was a bit off, Firekeeper’s Daughter is one of the best YA books I’ve read in a long time, and I think a lot of people would agree with me. I’d highly recommend this book to anyone who loves a good mystery novel.
Into the Woods: A Five Act Journey Into Story, John Yorke
Genre: Non-Fiction
With examples ranging from The Godfather to True Detective, Mad Men to Macbeth, British television producer John Yorke utilizes Shakespearean five-act structure as a key to analyzing all storytelling in all narrative forms. From film and television to theater and novel-writing—a big step from the usual three-act approach. Released in 2013, the book explores the structure of narrative forms and the theory that all great stories have a universal structure. After I read the free abridged version available on Google, I realized I didn’t appreciate how much work goes into writing a novel, or even a short story. Other than that, the examples provided by the author were all very insightful and thought-provoking, I’d highly recommend this book to anyone interested in stories in general.
Somewhere Between Bitter and Sweet, Laekan Zea Kemp Genre: Young Adult
Released on April 6, 2021, this story follows a teenage girl named Penelope who grapples with her heritage while navigating through the troubles of her relationship with her parents and her crush, Xander. The author, Laekan Zea Kemp has three objectives when it comes to storytelling: to make people laugh, cry, and crave Mexican food. Her debut novel encapsulates all that and more; and with the book receiving the Pura Belpré Honor in 2022, it is no surprise that it is becoming increasingly popular among readers worldwide.
(Spoiler; don’t read this on an empty stomach, the food and meals in the book are described wonderfully)
Their Eyes Were Watching God, Zora Neale Hurston
Genre: Psychological Fiction
Fair and long-legged, independent and articulate, Janie Crawford sets out to be her own person—no mean feat for a black woman in the ’30s. Janie’s quest for identity takes her through three marriages and into a journey back to her roots. Though published in 1935, this novel was made popular when Pulitzer Award-winning novelist Alice Walker reintroduced it into the public eye in 1977. Since then it has been appreciated as the quiet, beautiful monument to a woman’s strength and endurance. Although I haven’t read this book, any novel endorsed by Alice Walker (Novelist of The Color Purple) is a must-read, in my opinion.
The Crucible, Arthur Miller
Genre: Tragedy, Historical Drama
Inspired by the McCarthy hearings of the 1950s, Arthur Miller’s acclaimed 1954 play, The Crucible, focuses on the injustice of the Salem witch trials and the extreme behavior that can result from dark desires and hidden agendas. Set in 1692, it is an examination of contemporary events in American politics during the era of fear and desire for conformity brought on by Senator McCarthy’s allegations of communist subversions in high places. One of the main messages of the book is to show that trying to preserve one’s reputation can end up harming others. I’ve only watched snippets of the play, and from what I’ve seen, this book lives up to its reputation.
The Great Gatsby, F. Scott Fitzgerald
Genre: Literary fiction
Set in the Jazz Age around New York City and the fictional Long Island towns of West Egg and East Egg, The Great Gatsby tells the story of Jay Gatsby, a self-made man who dreams of turning back time to regain his first love, Daisy Buchanan. In the process, the novel explores the culture of the Roaring Twenties, class in America, and the dangerous allure of the American Dream. This novel is one of the cornerstones of American Literature and rightfully so. I’ve read the book and seen the movie three times, and I’d recommend the latter. While the movie starring Tobey Maguire and Leonardo Dicaprio is mostly faithful to the source material, reading the book is an entirely different experience altogether.
Plato once said “Books give a soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination, and life to everything.”, and this quote has remained true till this day. Books serve as a bridge between the past and present, linking generations through shared knowledge and experiences. I can’t count the number of times I’ve felt joy and happiness after finishing a book I was invested in, it really does change the way you perceive things altogether. Reading is a wonderful way to foster new ways of thinking, connect with others, escape from everyday life, and learn new things every day. To name a few of the many benefits, reading a book for just 10 minutes a day reduces stress, improves memory and vocabulary, and enhances cognitive abilities. Do yourself a favor and pick out a book that sounds interesting, I can guarantee it’ll be worth your time.
