From classic literature to autobiographies, the books we read during our teenage years entertain us, shape our perspectives and values, and often inspire a lifelong love for reading. Here are some of the books that shaped staff members’ teenage years.
Digital Photography teacher Sarah Frivold recalled discovering books written by Franchesca Lia Block. “It was one of the first times that I was reading not for school,” Frivold said.
Block’s books explore common teenage struggles through a lens of magical realism. “I loved that it was about everyday teenagers but also had this magic to it,” Frivold said. These books sparked a love for fantasy realism and influenced Frivold’s style in her teenage years, such as her hairstyle and musical taste.
Even years later, Frivold looks forward to re-reading Block’s books to see how they have aged. Frivold hopes re-reading this book will provide insight into the dramatics of her teenage mind. “I feel like it’ll bring back memories,” she said.
Math teacher Laurel Simons remembered reading Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins at 15 and finding it deeply relatable. Simons appreciated the way the book captured the excitement of young love.
Anna and the French Kiss is a romance novel about an American teenager adjusting to life at a French boarding school where she falls in love with a French boy. The book explores the difficulties of love and friendships set in the streets of Paris.
Simons, who spent a year of high school in France, felt that the book mirrored her experiences. “It was fun to see the connections between my experience and hers,” she said.
Academic Resources teacher Scott Kirk shared how Hatchet by Gary Paulson sparked his interest in the adventure genre after being introduced to it through an eighth-grade book club. “The whole idea of adventure and surviving on their own interested me at that time,” Kirk said.
The realistic fiction novel tells the story of a teenage boy who survives a plane crash and lands stranded in the Canadian wilderness, having to endure harsh conditions and wild animals.
Kirk was never interested in books he read in school, but Hatchet changed his outlook on recreational reading. “It made me realize that there were books with cliffhangers and about the outdoors that were interesting and kept you hooked throughout the story,” he said.
Spanish teacher Evelyn Gil looked back on her love for her AS English III class’s summer reading book, The Autobiography of Malcolm X by Alex Haly and Malcolm X. “Once I started reading, I could not put it down—his life was so fascinating and inspiring,” Gil said.
The Autobiography of Malcolm X explores Malcolm X’s transformation from a troubled youth to a prominent civil rights leader. His journey of self-education and activism reshapes his beliefs, ultimately making him a powerful voice for Black empowerment and justice.
“This book does not get old, the message is still very relevant,” Gil said.
English teacher Jason Hunt remembered favoring the book Neverwhere by Neil Gaiman because of its intriguing utopian setting. It provided an escape from the reality he hadn’t yet experienced in the books his English teachers typically recommended. “There was always a stigma against escapist fiction,” Hunt said.
Neverwhere is an urban fantasy novel. The main character, Richard Mayhew, is drawn into the magical world under the streets of London after helping a young girl. As he faces dangers and uncovers secrets, he discovers where he truly belongs.
Hunt explained that many students are not often excited by what English classes offer students to read. “Escapist fiction is something accessible to everyone, it often fosters a love for literature,” he said.
