Khaled Hosseini’s And the Mountains Echoed is a profound exploration of familial bonds and the reverberating effects of choices across generations. Set against the diverse backdrop of Afghanistan and beyond, the novel intricately weaves together a tapestry of interconnected stories, each reflecting the enduring impact of love, sacrifice, and loss. The narrative begins with the heart-wrenching decision made by Saboor, a poor Afghan laborer, to sell his daughter, Pari, to a wealthy family in Kabul.
The Maze Runner is the first book in a series of other books. The story follows Thomas who has mysteriously appeared in a small civilization run by teenage boys and is surrounded by a giant maze. Everything about the maze feels off and after Thomas appears everything goes downhill. All the boys have to escape the maze before they run out of time or are killed by the monsters in the maze.
Perhaps the funniest book in the Anne series, Anne of Avonlea follows Anne through her first “grown-up” experience teaching at the local school. L.M. Montgomery introduces several new important characters – the hilarious Mr. Harrison, twins Dora and her bad-boy brother Davy and younger Avonleans of all kinds.
Summary: In the Heights, a musical by Lin-Manuel Miranda, unfolds over three days in the vibrant, predominantly Latino neighborhood of Washington Heights in New York City. The story centers on Usnavi, a bodega owner with dreams of returning to his native Dominican Republic, and explores the hopes, struggles, and cultural identity of the community.
Better Than We Found It by Frederick Joseph and Porsche Joseph is a powerful and thought-provoking book that challenges readers to reflect on the current state of society and take action to create a more just and equitable world. The authors share personal stories, insights, and practical advice on how individuals can contribute to positive change in their communities and beyond.
Wendy Mass’ A Mango Shaped Space is a Young Adult novel that tells Mia Winchell’s story, a young girl with synesthesia—a phenomenon that causes her to see colors and shapes when she hears sounds. Mia struggles with not being able to relate to her peers at school, as her synesthesia affects her relationships and ability to succeed in school.
Barbara Kingsolver’s The Bean Trees is a dramatic fiction novel set that illustrates the novel’s main character, Taylor Greer, on her journey to escape her hometown and become a strong, independent woman—one who is not limited by her upbringing. Taylor’s life significantly changes at her discovery of a child in her car—she later discovers the child’s name is Turtle, an abandoned young girl.
The Giver by Lois Lowry tells the story of Jonas, a boy who lives in a utopian society called the Community where “Sameness” is implemented in order to keep everything fair and prevent sadness. Concepts like color are gone in order to create equality. At the Ceremony of Twelve, where a child’s role in the Community is assigned, Jonas is chosen to receive special training from the Giver, who holds the only memories of the past.
Summary: A bitter, practical man called Ove lives in a small row house in Sweden. One day, his new neighbors move in and knock over his mailbox, irritating him. Over the next three weeks, Ove repeatedly tries to commit suicide so he can join his dead wife Sonja, but is always somehow interrupted or stopped.
The Giver, by Louis Lowry, is a Science Fiction book. Jonas, who lives in a futuristic society, is selected to be the new receiver of memory. In his community, there are strict rules. For example, one being the precision of language. Therefore, the people in the community do not know colors, feelings, and holidays. Jonas, when selected to be the new receiver of memory, has to hold the painful experiences that occurred in their past. Will Jonas be able to handle the pain and continue living in his community?
