the essence of adolescence
by Maritza R. of HIgh Tech High International '14
How do we grow up? What influences how we will be like as adults? There’s nothing like immersing yourself in a good coming-of-age book to find the underlying questions about the mysteries of pre-adulthood. In these three books, the main characters evolve from their child-like ways and find who they truly are through the relationships they develop. Each of these coming-of-age novels tell a story of learning, transitioning, and growing up.
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I Am the Messenger by Marcus Zusak - 360 pages I Am the Messenger is a New York Times bestselling novel by Australian author Markus Zusak --also known for The Book Thief-- about an underaged cabdriver who gets a mysterious card in the mail, an unexpected mission, where unknowingly he is the center piece. The main character, Ed kennedy, is predestined to be the messenger for a group of strangers that need some kind of support in their lives. Ed finds himself helping out people that he’s never met before, making lasting impacts in their lives but most of all, in his own life. Zusak uses the character of Ed to demonstrate that acts of kindness change not only the beneficiary, but forces the messenger to grow out of his self-absorbed ways, as well. If you are looking for a fast-read mystery with an unexpected twist, I Am the Messenger is the perfect page-turner for you. |
Eleanor & Park by Rainbow Rowell -- 325 pages Eleanor & Park is a romance novel written by Rainbow Rowell. It’s an enchanting tale between two sixteen-year-olds set over the course of a school year, where their love for each other challenges how they used to live their lives. Eleanor is a girl with a troubled home that loses herself in daydreams and fantasies. Park is a boy with a nice family and is obsessed with his Walkman and comic books. Through the friendship they develop riding home on the school bus, they teach each other about self-confidence, romance and good music. Together they create an army of two against the evil high schoolers and the even more evil step-dad of Eleanor. If you’re looking for a light read that at the same time is stirring and emotive, pick up Eleanor & Park on your way out. |
Sophie’s World by Jostein Gaarder - 518 pages Sophie’s World is a novel written by Norwegian author Jostein Gaarder. It follows the story of Sophie Amundsen, a teenage girl who starts receiving philosophy lessons in the mail and soon enough is immersed in the theories of Democritus, Plato and Socrates. Sophie learns about herself and about the world through her mysterious philosophy professor, Albert Knox. She finds herself pondering existence and the evolution of humanity, and she starts questioning the traditional way of thinking. She develops an incredible passion for learning and exploring through these correspondences, that towards the end of the book, grows into something greater than Sophie ever imagined. Sophie’s World is not a very easy read, but if you are looking to learn about philosophers and different forms of thinking, check out this book! |