The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt is a book about a young boy named Theodore Decker, who is dealing with the grief of losing his mother in a sudden terrorist attack in a museum that his mom and him went to go see. During the terrorist attack that killed his mom, he steals a painting called The Goldfinch, which later becomes the only thing he has left of his mother. Once he moves in with his mother’s friends, the Barbour’s, he meets a bad influence, named Boris. He starts to fall down a bad path.
Station Eleven by Emily St. John Mandel is a post-apocalyptic novel that intertwines the lives of several characters before, during and after a flu pandemic wipes out most of the world's population. The story centers on a traveling theater troupe that performs Shakespearean plays for the scattered survivors. Exploring themes of art, memory and the importance of human connections in a world where civilization has collapsed.
Amal Shahid winds up in jail when he is accused of a crime he may or may not have committed. When in prison, he is given lots of time to think of the root of his problems, what he should be thankful for, and how much he loves his main talent: art. Through his artistic ability, Amal learns to cope with his sorrows as well as make new friends behind bars.
Speak, by Laurie Halse Anderson, is a Young Adult Fiction book. Speak, told by Melinda Sordino, is about facing the traumas of high school. Before Freshman year, Melinda goes to a party, in which she calls the cops. Therefore, no one talks to her, not even her best friend. At that party, an older guy raped Melinda, so when she goes back to school, she is continually haunted by the guy. But, when she learns to speak for not only herself, but many other teenagers, things change.
Tola Riley is a misunderstood junior in high school. She stands out with her bright green hair and nose ring. Everyone doesn’t seem to get her, except her art teacher, Mr. Mymer. When they both accidentally meet in an art museum, rumors start to spread about the two. Everyone suddenly thinks that they are having an affair. With Mr. Mymer suspended and Tola shunned by her peers, it is up to her to break the silence. Want to know what happens next? Read more to find out!
Piecing Me Together by Renèe Watson is a realistic fiction novel about the main character Jade and her story of friendship and longings. Jade is interested in art as she makes pieces out of anything she can find, like fabrics, and creates it into a masterpiece. She doesn’t live in the best part of town but is invited to come to a private school through tuition. She looks forward to their Study Abroad program which she hopes to get into.
