BACK TO SCHOOL: My September Reading Picks
It's been a long time since I've been in school, but this time of year always makes me think of new jeans, backpacks, and books.
While there is always plenty of required reading for school, it's always a good idea to have a book on hand that you're excited to read. Something YOU chose, not just the stuff your teachers assign.
Not sure what to read? Whether you're mourning the end of summer or excited for the start of a new year, I've got a short list of books for you about school that will inspire and entertain.
Wonder, by R.J. Palacio.
If you've ever suffered from back-to-school jitters, bullying, or feeling like an outcast, you'll be able to relate to the story of August Pullman.
Ten-year-old Auggie was born with a super rare combination of chromosomal abnormalities that made his face looking, in his words, "Whatever you're thinking, it's probably worse." Auggie has always been homeschooled because of all the surgeries he needed, and he liked it that way because he hated the way people looked at him and his unique face. Wonder tells the story of how Auggie began at a real school for the first time in 5th grade - and how his classmates received him.
Save Me A Seat, by Sarah Weeks and Gita Varadarajan.
Anyone who has ever been the new kid or worried no one would sit with them at lunch will appreciate this book.
Save Me A Seat chronicles the first week of 5th Grade from two points of view. Ravi is the new kid. His family just moved to America, and while he was a top student and athlete at his school back in India, he struggles to find his place in room 506. Joe's best friends recently moved away, and now he is starting the school year friendless and with a secret he guards closely. Over the course of the week, both boys learn some very important lessons.
Ender's Game, by Orson Scott Card.
Think your school is tough? Imagine you're in Battle School in outer space - and all your teachers have it out for you.
Sent away to Battle School by the government at the tender age of 6, Ender Wiggin spends his days playing war games as part of his military training. But Ender's teachers have a secret plan for him. They challenge Ender on every front, pushing him to his limits even at the risk of breaking him. But they need him to succeed: Earth is in battle against the alien "buggers," and humanity is at stake - and Ender might be the only one who can save it.