Teacher Library: Your Next Great Read

Spring is approaching, and with the warmer weather comes many things—including the desire to spend more time outdoors. I asked some WHS teachers to recommend a few books for the students here. If you’re looking for a good book to dive into while you lay out in the sun, this is the article for you. Let’s take a look at what captivating stories they suggested!

The Night Circus

First I spoke with Mrs. Armour, an English & Creative Writing teacher, who recommended the book The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern. The book follows two rival magicians named Celia and Marco. Both skilled in different types of magic, they have spent their whole lives training to face each other in a mysterious and deadly battle. What will happen though, when the two forced enemies begin to fall in love? Will they be able to shove it aside and fulfill their duties? Or will their love ruin what they’ve been fighting for their whole lives?

Mrs. Armour explains why she loved the book so much. She says, “It has been a long time since I was sucked into a book the way I was into this one. If I had to sum it up, I’d say it’s ‘magnetic’—the story, the characters, and the world just pulled me in. The setting is simultaneously realistic and fantastical (if that makes any sense) and the characters are fascinating (and quite likable).” 

“I particularly enjoyed learning the “rules” of the world, and the magic within it, along with the characters. The book is written from multiple perspectives and jumps back and forth through time, and the way the author weaves the story together is absolutely brilliant—and mysterious. It’s as if the reader is receiving the puzzle pieces to the story one at a time, and slowly the whole picture begins to emerge. I simultaneously couldn’t wait to see the whole picture and didn’t want the book to end.” She concludes. 

You should pick The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern as your next read if you’re looking for a clever fantasy with captivating world-building, and a dash of romance.    

Refugee 

Next, I talked to WHS’ very own librarian, Mrs. O’Connor. She recommended the book Refugee by Alan Gratz. The book follows three young characters during different time periods. One is a Jewish boy from Nazi Germany, one is a Cuban girl in the 1990s, and one is a boy from modern-day Syria. As the story progresses, we watch the struggles all of the young protagonists face and we begin to see just how similar their stories turn out to be.  

Mrs. O’Connor explains why she recommended this particular story, “I love this book! This is a powerful historical fiction novel that is full of suspense and danger,” she continues, “It is expertly written—with 3 separate plots occurring throughout most of the novel—and has an amazing ending (I’m not giving any spoilers!). I recommend Refugee to book lovers, reluctant readers, and everyone in between.” 

If you’re looking to dive into an emotional historical fiction with gripping writing, then Refugee by Alan Gratz is the book you should pick up next. 

What to Say Next 

Last, I spoke with teacher Ms. Lenstra who suggested the book What to Say Next by Julie Buxbaum. The story is duel POV and follows protagonists Kit Lowell, a popular girl who is grieving her father, and David Drucker, a socially isolated boy who is on the autism spectrum. One day, Kit decides to sit with David at lunch and their worlds change. They form a friendship that ends up building into something more. The story is about two teenagers forming an unexpected bond when they need it most, and trying to understand where they fit in the world. 

Ms. Lenstra gives her perspective on the story, “I really enjoyed the two different perspectives throughout the novel. One perspective is of a neurodiverse character on the autism spectrum; the second character recently lost a close family member. They both try to navigate and process high school in different ways.” 

She explains why she recommended this book, “When I read this book a few years ago, it really opened my mind to diverse perspectives, especially for those who are neurodiverse. I think many students would benefit from reading the novel to understand how everyone perceives the world through various lenses and how to empathize with others.” 

If you’re wanting to dive into a heartwarming and emotional coming-of-age story that follows difficult themes—including grieving, divorce, forgiveness, bullying, and not fitting in—then What to Say Next by Julie Buxbaum is the book for you. 

Whether you’re searching for an enthralling fantasy, emotional historical fiction, or Y/A realistic fiction, I hope that you choose something off this list. That hearing the descriptions for all three of these very different—but equally spectacular—books make it easier to decide on your next read.