First of all, why do we like to read? Well, a few students from IUP have said why. Aisha Ali said, “It gives information and entertainment and for me, is a stress reliever.” Uttara Tirunelveli has said, “I like how I make pictures in my head and, once in the flow of reading, how comfortable it feels.” Azra Syed Ali said, “Because it takes things off my mind and it’s just a fun hobby.” Skyler has said, “I love to read because it allows me to go into the world of my book. Escaping reality and going to the world of my book is one of the best feelings!” Anonymous has said, “I love reading because it allows me to explore new worlds from home! We also get to imagine new possibilities and share them with the world!” Teagan Sontz said, “It gives you the chance to imagine people how you’d like, and provides entertainment similar to movies without using screens.” Mayyar Abdel-Rahman said, “I like reading because when I read, I visualize myself as the protagonist and I live their experiences. Reading is kind of like stepping into an alternate dimension, where you can be whoever you choose to be.” These were all students from IUP who shared why they love reading books. Here are the top book recommendations from your fellow IUP students! Please remember to make sure your parents or guardians are okay with the books!
High School & Middle School Book Recommendations: (Please check with your parents or guardians before reading any books recommended below as these are student recommendations and not recommended by iUP or any of its teachers.)
Fiction: Azra Syed Ali has recommended The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas (High School) because it’s a really good book about a girl who witnessed her friend’s death and has to deal with being Black and attending a majority-white school. She is trying to balance out two worlds, and what she says about her friend’s death could endanger her community and her life.
Romance: Uttara Tirunelveli has recommended Betting on You by Lynn Painter (Middle & High School) because she says, “I loved the plot of this book. I found it interesting how the author included the said ‘bet’ in the book. It was not how I expected.”
Mystery: Anonymous has recommended The Westing Game by Ellen Raskin (Middle & High School) because it has a lot of plot twists, change of POV, secrets and lightbulb moments! It’s chaotic, crazy, cool and extremely well written! It’s also super appropriate for all ages, which is great, while still having a crazy cool angle! It’s one of my favorite books! Teagan Sontz has recommended Enola Holmes: The Case of the Missing Marquess by Nancy Springer (Middle & High School) because she says, “I think it’s very good, and I personally like mysteries.”
Fantasy/ Sci-fi/ Dystopian: Mayyar Abdel-Rahman has recommended A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L’Engle (Middle & High School) because she says, “I recommend this book because when I was reading it, I was hooked and intrigued by the time I reached page 3. It explores a lot of deep themes and morals. The best way to read this book, in my opinion, is during a stormy night with a bunch of blankets.” Azra Syed Ali has recommended Warcross by Marie Lu (Middle & High School), an exciting sci-fi novel about virtual reality hacktivism and bounty hunting, because it’s a really nice read. Skyler has recommended Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas (High School) because she says, “I recommend this book for the adventure aspect, and the story of the main character and how she goes through her life with the past that she has, and the future she fears. I would also really like to add that middle schoolers shouldn’t read this, since it is a little graphic with death scenes, and it is part of a series that gets a little more graphic as it goes on.”
Historical Fiction: Aisha Ali has recommended Words on Fire by Jennifer A. Nielsen (Middle School) because it is engaging and clean, with only very mild romance at the very end.
Verse Novel: Azra Syed Ali has recommended Inside Out and Back Again by Thanhha Lai (Middle & High School) because it’s a fictional story set during the Vietnam War. The main character has to deal with moving to America, not knowing the fate of her father in the war, and a totally new life. It’s a very interesting read and it’s a really good book!
