BOOK SUMMARIES Cathedral High School During spring semester 2012, students in Ms. Liz Browning’s classes at Cathedral High School, Indianapolis, wrote summaries of books in the Novel Conversations collection. Indiana Humanities very much appreciates their volunteer service. 1984 George Orwell’s 1984 follows the life of Winston Smith in the darkly futuristic world of London, Oceania. The society is under the total control of Big Brother, who enforces strict rules to assure that free thinking is not allowed. Things like the Thought Police and Telescreens in every room are implemented to monitor every thought, word, and deed of its citizens. Winston does not fit in with the norms of the civilization, as he writes his thoughts in an illegal diary and falls in love with a co-worker, Julia. It is easy to see the effects of this utopian society, as Winston is constantly nervous that he will be discovered. Reading the book will reveal if he is found or not. The Book Thief Markus Zuzak’s The Book Thief is an enthralling story summed up best by the narrator, Death, as a tale about “a girl, some words, an accordionist, some fanatical Germans, a Jewish fist-fighter, and quite a lot of thievery.” Set on in a bleak and realistic Nazi Germany, The Book Thief tells the story of a foster child and thief of books named Liesel Meminger from the point of view of Death himself. Liesel’s new life in her new home on Himmel Street starts out a struggle and twists and turns in unexpected ways when a Jewish man named Max shows up on their doorstep, looking for a place to hide. Their heart wrenching journey together and pushes them to their limits and makes Liesel’s lif Call of the Wild The Call of the Wild, by Jack London, is a story about a kidnapped dog named Buck. Buck lives and rules over a house in Santa Clara Valley during the Alaskan Gold Rush of 1897. Buck is half St. Bernard and half sheepdog, which makes him a desirable sled dog. He is taken by a human he trusts and is stripped from his pride by a man with a club in a red sweater. From then on, Buck uses his brains and brute strength to stay alive in the harsh climate of Alaska. This tale is about a dog, spoiled at first, who adapts to his change in circumstances and becomes the greatest sled dog the Northland has ever seen. Yet, there is an itch he needs to scratch, a choice he needs to make, but he has no idea from where the itch is coming. The only thing Buck knows is that itch is somewhere in the wild. Catcher in the Rye Catcher in the Rye, written by JD Salinger, is told from Holden’s point of view. Holden is a sixteen year old boy yearning to be treated as an adult would, yet not seeking for the phoniness that he sees that comes with being an adult. Holden is telling the story while he is in a mental hospital. Holden’s story begins with him finding out that he has been expelled from Pency, a few days before Christmas break begins. Holden’s family lives in Manhattan, but he decides not to return home until Wednesday, when he is expected. Because he is not expected to return home until Wednesday and he doesn’t want to stay at

Pency, he decides to stay in a hotel in Manhattan. Holden’s biggest difficulties are wanting to be treated like an adult and Jane Gallagher. Holden repeatedly mentions Jane Gallagher, whom he used to date, and has flashbacks of when they first met. While Holden does still care about Jane, he seems to care the most about his little sister, Phoebe. Phoebe is one of the few people Holden treasures, and seems to be the only person Holden really trusts. Charlotte’s Web E.B. White’s Charlotte’s Web is the best representation for classic children’s literature. The book, published in 1952, begins with a young farm girl named Fern stopping her father from slaughtering the runt of a litter of pigs. After the father decides to spare the piglet, Fern decides to take care of it; she names the pig Wilbur. After taking care of Wilbur for a few weeks, Fern’s father, Mr. Arable, sells Wilbur to Fern’s Uncle Zuckerman. While living at Zuckerman’s farm, Wilbur is visited by Fern, but her visits decrease as she gets older. As Wilbur gets lonelier, he finds a friend: a gray spider named Charlotte. When the sheep tell Wilbur that Mr. Zuckerman plans to eat him for Christmas dinner, Wilbur turns to Charlotte for help. Charlotte decides to make Wilbur look famous; therefore, she writes things about Wilbur in her web. The townspeople are amazed at the writings in the web, and Wilbur becomes much too valuable to eat. This leads to a variety of adventures for all the farm animals. Death Of a Salesman At the center of Arthur Miller’s Death of a Salesman, is 63 year old traveling salesman from Brooklyn, Willy Loman. Willy has worked for the same sales firm for 34 years hoping to achieve great success and earn the respect he deserves. While trying to grasp onto his lost American dream as long he can, his sanity is quickly spiraling out of control. Searching for answers for what went wrong in his life, Willy’s mind drifts to distant memories, while barely gripping reality and his memories interfering with his everyday life, Willy’s life becomes unbearable. As Willy’s mislead son Biff comes home to seek reconciliation with his father things only seem to become worse. Biff’s coming home has the adverse effect of what he had planned instead of making peace with his father, it only seems to strain the relationship he has with his mother Linda and younger brother Happy. Biff and Happy’s own problems only add unneeded stress to his life and Willy’s boss asking him to take a break from work drives him over the edge. The Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood is a vibrant book taking place in Louisiana and the New York Mountains during the 1960’s. The book follows the forty year old Siddalee Walker as she makes her way to stardom in the directing business of theatre. Although Siddalee has a blooming career, a wonderful and supportive fiancé and time to kill, there is something in her life that holds her back. Siddalee’s mother Vivi was never someone easy to figure out. In a desperate attempt to regain her mother’s trust and love after thrashing Vivi’s reputation publicly, Siddalee Walker struggles to learn more about her mother and her past as well as the past of the infamous Ya-Ya clan in which Vivi grew up and thrived in. The Ya-Ya’s are composed of Teensy, Caro, Necie and of course, Vivi Walker, who raised Siddalee and all the other “petit Ya-Yas.” While Siddalee recalls her past and learns even more about the struggles of the Ya-Ya clan, she learns what brought together the Ya-

Ya clan and what tore them apart. As she sees things her mother went through in the almighty Divine Secrets scrapbook she pried from Vivi, she catches a glimpse of why her mother seems so tightly strung and closed off. The complex relationships between mother and daughter, wife and husband, and between friends is presented in a way that suggests there is more to family than flesh and blood relatives and more to relationships than love. As Siddalee Walker attempts to figure out her life, as well as her mother’s, she is forced to make decisions that affect her relationships between her mother, her fiancé, and the YaYa’s she knows and loves. Fahrenheit 451 The tale of Montag, a fireman in the future, whose job is to burn all books that are being illegally stashed. In the future, all books have been banned because of the independent and contradicting thoughts they contain. Without books, people unable to think deeply on a simple subject and cannot enjoy the beauty of nature. Montag has to make the decision on what to do with his life; search for meaning and purpose, or continue living his dull life. Flowers for Algernon Flowers for Algernon by Daniel Keyes is a fantastic book to read. Filled with heartwarming joy and sadness, the story is an emotional roller coaster for all, but this is what makes it so great. The book is a series of journal entries written by Charlie Gordon, a 35 year-old man from New York, who is mentally handicapped. He works at a bakery where he is constantly made fun of, but he is not able to comprehend the jokes made about him. Finally, he is given an opportunity of a lifetime, to undergo a procedure that will make him a genius. With some company from a white mouse named Algernon, Charlie undergoes the same experiment as the mouse to become more intelligent. Flowers for Algernon is a story about struggle, but having the will to never give up, and to always have hope. The Glass Menagerie The Glass Menagerie is a well written play about a conflicted young man named Tom. Tom is the sole provider for his mother and sister ever since his father ran off to Mexico. Tom longs for an adventurous life, but he is stuck in a terrible job which he does not like. Amanda, Tom’s mother, constantly tells Tom to wave off his silly dreams; her only goal is to get her daughter married. As the novel drives on, Tom must make a decision- should he live his life of adventure or stay due to his responsibility to his loving sister. The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo A #1 National Bestseller and a worldwide film phenomenon, The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo, written by Steig Larsson has created an unrivaled atmosphere of intrigue and mystery. When Henrik Vanger hires Mikeal Blomkvist, an investigative journalist recently fired for being involved in a libel scandal, Mikeal expects to be working on Henrik’s biography, and the history of the old man’s immense family-owned corporation. Instead he is given a completely different assignment, to discover what happened to Henrik’s niece, Harriet Vanger, when she disappeared at their home in the early 1960s. He is introduced to a mysterious host of suspects: her family. During the course of this investigation he crosses

paths with a punk-rock, pierced, hacking protégée Lisbeth Salander. Together they discover deep dark family secrets and “a vein of iniquity and corruption” that will stun and shock readers. This story dives into a culture of deep-seeded anti-Semitism and misogyny. The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo is a novel that keeps readers guessing until the very end. The Grapes of Wrath The Grapes of Wrath follows the story of a migrant family, the Joads, as they move west in the hopes of finding work in the so-called promised land of California. This emotional novel puts the reader in the shoes of each family member as they combat failure and loss with family support. John Steinbeck delivers powerful viewpoints through deep, underlying symbolism which provides topic for discussion. The Grapes of Wrath is a timeless novel still remains relevant today. The Help Informing its readers about the abusive and disrespectful treatment of the black maids in Jackson Mississippi during the early 1960’s, The Help is an intriguing and inspiring story written by Karthryn Stockett. Skeeter Phelan, a young single woman, has always dreamed of becoming a writer. Noticing how much the cruel treatment of the maids is bothering her, Skeeter decides to write about it. With the help of Aibileen and Minny, two black maids ready to inform people about how they are being mistreated, Skeeter writes a book called The Help. Assisting Skeeter is a rebellious choice for the maids in Jackson because, at the time, it is against the law for blacks and whites to be working together against another force. Once published, the book becomes a bestseller, and people in Jackson become suspicious because some stories are about them. The Help contains many issues mainly between the rich house owners and their black maids. Each house owner is different. One character, Hilly Holbrook, will not even let her maid use the bathroom inside, while another, Celia Foote, dines with her maid. Through the issues and conflicts readers will get a glimpse of what life was like for black maids in the south during the 1960s. They will also learn about the courage, integrity and strength that it took for Aibileen and Minny to help write about it. The House on Mango Street The House on Mango Street, by Sandra Cisneros, is a myriad of short stories resembling a snapshot of all the important aspects of growing up and living in a poor Latina section of Chicago. Esperanza Cordero narrates a year in the life of a twelve year old girl on Mango Street, a rundown street in Chicago. She is forced to grow up throughout the year in many ways. Her aspiration in life is to define herself, to leave Mango Street, and to have a house of her own one day. She wants to accomplish these goals more and more as she watches the other people in her neighborhood every day; she tells the vivid story of all the neighbors filtering through the surrounding houses on Mango Street. By the end of the novel, Esperanza understands what goes on around her more, and she is focused and ready to leave Mango Street as soon as possible. One thing Esperanza will never forget, though, is where she is from and how she will help the others who are not able to make it out of Mango Street like she does.

The Hunger Games After a massive nuclear war, the world no longer exists. Suzanne Collins’, The Hunger Games, describes the lives of those living in the last region on earth, Panem. These people form the 12 Districts; which are ruled by the Capitol. The Capitol makes decisions, regulate rules, and demand a game every year. Now this is not an average game; twentyfour tributes are chosen, two from each District, to battle to the death in an arena for the public’s entertainment. This is to remind the citizens that the Capitol is in control. Only one will stand victorious in this horrendous murder of innocent children. Katniss Everdeen, the protagonist in the novel, volunteers as a tribute, in place of her younger sister Prim. As she and Peeta Mellark, the other tribute from their District, strive to survive, their relationship grows ever more, and they soon find that their past, present, and future will be forever intertwined once they start the games. What will happen when a romance sparks and only one person can remain? The Hunger Games Katniss Everdeen and Peeta Mellark are two 16-year-olds from District 12 in the country of Panem. They have been randomly chosen to partake in the Hunger Games, along with two children from each district; they will participate in a fight to the death which is held every year. Each district in the country of Panem is required to send a boy and a girl to fight in the Hunger Games as punishment for trying to rebel against the Capitol many years ago. This is a story of romance, life and death, and betrayal. Katniss and Peeta are forced to make many, tough decisions, most of which are life and death. Decisions are made every second in the battle to the death. Into Thin Air American journalist Jon Krakauer’s personal account of the deadliest season in Mount Everest history delves into controversial decisions made by leaders of several mountaineering expeditions. Krakauer, commissioned to write an article for Outside magazine on the growing commercialization of Everest, is sent to the mountain in the spring of 1996 as a member of Rob Hall’s New Zealand climbing team. After reaching the summit of the world’s highest peak, things go disastrously wrong for Hall’s team and an expedition led by American Scott Fischer. By ignoring key deadlines set before the summit attempt, members of both expeditions find themselves fighting for their lives in a ferocious blizzard above 26,000 feet. The Kite Runner The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini is a fast-paced tale of family, love, loyalty, and the bonds that tie people together. Set in Kabul, Afghanistan and later in San Francisco, the story follows the priviledged childhood of Amir, his father Baba, and their good friends and family servants, Ali and his son Hassan. Hassan and Amir grow up together, but an event in their adolescence causes a ripple effect that undoes both of their lives forever. 26 years later, Amir is living as an adult with his aging father in San Francisco. Amir struggles with caring for his father in a new and unfamiliar country, finding a wife and falling in love, and dealing with the unease left behind from that fateful event in his childhood. Amir ultimately sets out to make things right on a fierce journey towards redemption that leaves the reader breathless until the last page has been turned.

The Kite Runner The novel by Khaled Hosseini, The Kite Runner, is about a boy named Amir who grows up in Kabul, Afghanistan. The story begins with Amir at the age of eleven. The audience is given insight into Amir’s life and relationships, especially those with his father and their servant, Hassan. Amir and Hassan are best friends. Hassan would do anything for Amir, but Amir doesn’t always treat Hassan with the same respect. Their friendship is put to the test when Amir witnesses Hassan being raped, but only stands idly by. This incident instigates a chain of events that changes their relationship forever. Amir frames Hassan for theft and is ultimately responsible for Hassan and his father quitting as servants and moving away. The novel then moves through different time periods in Afghanistan, illustrating the chaotic events taking place and the destruction of the country. At the age of eighteen, Amir and his father manage to escape to America. But after many years in the United States, Amir receives an urgent call leading him back to the place he thought he’d never see again. And what Amir discovers in Afghanistan alters the course of his life forever. To Kill a Mockingbird Harper Lee’s novel, To Kill a Mockingbird, deals with dual subplots. One subplot deals with the actions of Scout and Jem Finch, the children of Atticus Finch, a prominent lawyer in the small town of Maycomb, Alabama in the 1930s. Over the summer, Scout and Jem befriend a young boy named Dill, and they become the best of friend. During the school year, Jem and Scout notice that gifts are being left in the knothole of a tree in front of the Radley house. Additionally, they notice a number of random acts of kindness being performed by an unknown person. This spikes the interest of the kids, as they spend the rest of the school year trying to uncover the identity of this mystery person. In the other subplot, Atticus takes a case in which he defends a black man who has been accused of raping a white girl. The people of Maycomb, a predominantly white town, did not like Atticus’ actions and disapproved of his defending a black man. After an intense turn of events, the mystery person is revealed after performing a heroic act. To Kill a Mockingbird The story of To Kill a Mockingbird unravels in the sleepy town of Maycomb, Alabama. Centered on Atticus Finch and his two children, Scout and Jem, Scout, a fiveyear-old girl, narrates a timeless tale of racism, innocence, good, and evil. Through the innocent eyes of a young girl, the reader plunges into small town Alabama where racism and prejudice are the norm. Her father Atticus is a paragon of justice and morality, and he is portrayed as a godlike model, unaffected by the apparent depravity of the town. Atticus protects the novel’s “mockingbirds”, people whose innocence has been destroyed by the evils of society. To Kill a Mockingbird clearly illustrates the difference between the complex issues of evil and genuine goodness. A Lesson Before Dying Earnest J. Gaines’ A Lesson Before Dying takes place in Bayonne, Louisiana in the 1940’s. The main character, Grant Wiggins, is a very unhappy man because of the racist society that he lives in. He has a deep hatred for the city, but feels obligated to stay there.

Jefferson, a young black man, is accused of a crime he did not commit and is given the death sentence. Grant Wiggins takes up the duty to teach him how to die with dignity, to love God, and to understand the purpose of life. The conflict in the story is that Grant does not believe in God, nor does he have a positive outlook on life. However, throughout the process, Grant actually learns just as much from himself as Jefferson does. Of Mice and Men A place entirely their own. A place where no one could kick them out. A place to call home. This was the dream shared by Lennie Smalls and George Milton, two migrant workers in California during the Great Depression. Unfortunately, every dream has its price, and sacrifices that must be made. George Milton, an intelligent but sometimescynical man, and Lennie Small, a man of large stature and great strength but with limited mental abilities, take on the world in this magnificent classic.When Lennie and George’s dream finally becomes attainable, within sight, what will they be willing to sacrifice? Dignity? Pride? Their friendship? Something worse? Driven by dreams and a dead woman’s request, this book follows this unlikely duo as they search for their simple dream. Night Night by Elie Wiesel is a riveting, first-person account and heart-wrenching memoir of the author’s life-altering experiences as a Transylvanian Jew during the Second World War. This non-fiction work depicts the true evil of man and the deaths of a family witnessed by a boy just entering his adolescence. From brushes with death to witnessing death itself, Night covers it all. Although this is a somber work written about events that are difficult to tackle even 70 years after their occurrence, the story is one of true perseverance and human dignity. The author gives his personal insight throughout the book, attaching the reader not only in thought but in emotion. Night is a timeless, must-read novel that paints a great image of events that should never be forgotten. A time-honored question is posedd: Will I live? Night The book memoir Night was written by Elie Wiesel. It is a fictional story that is based on Wiesel’s experiences in the Holocaust. It takes place during World War II and the Holocaust. It follows Eliezer, a young Jew, who lives in Hungary from his hometown ghetto to the concentration camp where he is held to the time of his liberation. He was taken from his village in Hungary to Birkenau which is the entrance into the dreaded Auschwitz concentration camp. While in the camp Eliezer must battle with the Nazi captors and the will to survive. Eventually the camp is evacuated due to Russian advances, and the prisoners end up finally at the Buchenwald camp. After a few months there Eliezer is and the other prisoners are liberated by the American army. The Notebook The Notebook, by Nicholas Sparks, is an engulfing love story between two characters, Allie Nelson and Noah Calhoun. They meet and instantly fall in love. After spending an entire summer together, they part ways and lose touch. Fourteen years later, they are reunited and are clearly still in love. The only problem is Allie is now faced with a challenge. She has to choose between Lon, her well-off fiancé, and Noah, the love of her

life. This novel is presented as a story that a man is reading out of his notebook to a woman with Alzheimer’s disease. The woman is Allie, but who is the man reading to her? Murder on the Orient Express Murder on the Orient Express is a murder mystery featuring Agatha Christie’s famous Hercule Poirot. The novel focuses on the mysterious death of My. Ratchett. As the book progresses readers see the true genius of Agatha Christie through her character Poirot. By the end of the story readers are left wanting to read more mysteries, especially from Christie. Murder on the Orient Express is a great novel, and can keep one under suspense until the very end. The Poisonwood Bible The Poisonwood Bible is the harrowing tale of the Price family’s journey to the Congo. What starts as a simple mission trip quickly transforms into a fight for survival. The story takes place almost entirely in the town of Kilanga in the Congo during the late 1950s into the early 1960, right when the Congo is trying to gain independence from the oppressive Belgian regime. The Price family, consisting of the father, Nathan, the mother, Orleanna, and the four sisters, Rachel, Leah, Adah, and Ruth May, must learn to adapt to the Congo way of life, learning more about themselves than they ever would in the process. Told through the view of the four girls of the family, and occasionally the mother, they must live daily through the abusive reign of their father and the increasingly difficult Congolese way of life. As the Congo plunges into political chaos, the Prices must decide who they are and what they will become in this land that truly is the heart of darkness. The Guernsey Literary Potato Peel Pie Society The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society takes place as London recovers from World War II in January of 1946. Juliet Ashton, the novel’s protagonist, is a writer who wrote under a pen name, Izzy Bickerstaff. Now that the war has come to an end, Juliet is seeking for a topic to write about and wants to publish it under her own name. Juliet receives a letter from a member of the Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society, which causes her to become drawn to the lives of the residents of Guernsey. The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society is a group of islanders who gathered to read and to talk about books during the German occupation. After many months of writing to the islanders, Juliet decides to visit and eventually moves to the island. In the end, Juliet feels compelled to write her book and dedicate it to the mother of her adopted child, Elizabeth McKenna. Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry Mildred D. Taylor’s Roll Of Thunder, Hear My Cry tells the powerful story of an African American Family living in depression era Mississippi. The Logan family, descended from freed slaves, lives on a large stretch of land that they farm. Unfortunately, due to their success, many poor whites envy the Logan family. The Logan children, Cassie, Stacey, Christopher-John, and Clayton Chester, face the challenges of growing up in the south as African Americans. Racism is a constant theme in the book; one of the characters, Mr. Tatum, was tarred and feathered by a group of white vigilantes known as “night men.” As racial tension increases in the community, confrontations become more frequent.

Pride and Prejudice Pride and Prejudice, by Jane Austen, is a riveting romance novel set in the Victorian Age of Longbourn, England. Mrs. Bennet has the complicated job of finding all five of her daughters suitable husbands. The eldest Bennet daughter, Jane, falls in love with the owner of Netherfield Park, Mr. Bingley. While this happens, Mr. Bingley’s best friend, Fitzwilliam Darcy, falls in love with Elizabeth Bennet, the protagonist. The second eldest daughet, Elizabeth, knows nothing of Mr. Darcy’s feelings for her and assumes he thinks poorly of her. As Elizabeth finds out what a good man Mr. Darcy is, they twist and turn through society’s expectations and battle with the ideas of falling in love. Pride and Prejudice “It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife”(page 3) is the first line in the book Pride and Prejudice. Pride and Prejudice perfectly describes the need for marriage and true love. Taking place in nineteenth century England, it begins with the entrance of a wealthy single man named Charles Bingley. Mrs. Bennet, with five daughters, desperately wants one of them to marry Mr. Bingley. Her daughter Jane soon becomes involved with Charles after discovering the effortlessness of their relationship. Elizabeth, another daughter, becomes involved with one of Charles’ friends, Darcy. Charles’ sister, however, is also pursuing Darcy. This causes for a strain in the relationship between Charles’ sister and Elizabeth. There are also soldiers placed near the Bennet household, which complicates the Bennett romances. This book includes many romantic relationships and proves that in the end true love can overcome any obstacle. There are many choices between lovers and conflicts between them as well. This novel is a must-read for all true romantics. The Republic The Republic, a legendary ancient Greek dialogue by the philosopher Plato, is a timeless study that delves into politics, philosophy, and epistemology. Socrates and several other Athenian philosophers ponder the question, “what is justice?” while enlightening on other concepts such as the Theory of Forms, the Degradation of Society from timocracy to tyranny, and the legendary Allegory of the Cave. Such a discussion can easily be joined into by the reader by simply adding in their own thoughts or ideas to the matter at hand. Is justice really better than injustice? Is it better to be chained in the cave, or enlightened, with all its associated responsibilities? Finally, are ideas truly the pinnacle of reality? The Scarlet Letter The Scarlet Letter tells the story of a young woman by the name of Hester Prynne, who gives birth to a baby girl in a strict New World Puritan settlement. Gossip and speculation arise when Hester refuses to name the father of the child. As punishment for her actions, she is condemned to wear a scarlet ‘A’ on her bosom. The story closely follows the growth and development of Hester and her illegitimate daughter, Pearl, as more details of the scandal emerge. This classic novel is an old-fashioned soap opera, complete with multiple subplots and a shocking ending.

The Secret Life of Bees Lily, a 14 year old white girl, lives with her father, T-ray, a peach farmer in Sylvan , South Carolina. Lily captures bees, the ones that fly through her room at night, in a jar. One day after she was abused she realizes that her bees have escaped. She makes the realization that she must run away too. She takes her prize possession, a picture of Black Mary, which belonged to her mother, with and her nanny, Rosaleen. On the back of Lily’s picture are the words Tiburon S.C.; Lily makes the realization that this is a town and maybe someone there knew her mother. Lily and Rosaleen embark on their journey to Tiburon where they meet the Boatwrights, three African American sisters whose profession is beekeeping.The Boatwrights let Lily and Rosaleen stay as long as they work. While they are there, they are able to live with three black sisters and Lily realizes how much she loves them and that she doesn’t have one mother, but four. While at the Boatwrights, Lily forms a web of lies and falls in love. She must decide if the truth will truly set her free. The Secret Garden The Secret Garden is a book about a quite bitter little girl by the name of Mary Lennox. She lived in India with her parents until a cholera outbreak in which her parents both died. She moves in with her uncle, Archibald Craven in a 100+ room estate. She then befriends her cousin Colin, who has an illness that has kept him bed-ridden since birth, and a moor boy Dickon, as they search for a mysterious secret garden that was built for her late aunt. Slaughterhouse-Five In Slaughterhouse-Five, Kurt Vonnegut illustrates the firebombing of the German town, Dresden, through the life of Billy Pilgrim. Billy Pilgrim is a frail funny-looking fellow who has become “unstuck in time.” Billy’s story begins when he is drafted and is forced to fight in World War II. During the war, Billy jumps through time for the first time as he was taken prisoner by the Germans. Throughout the novel, Billy is jumping from one part of his life to another. Billy survives the bombing of Dresden in a POW camp, is abducted by aliens from Tralfamadore, survives a plane crash, and much more. Kurt Vonnegut tells a story like no other in the unusual tale of Billy Pilgrim in Slaughterhouse-Five. Their Eyes Were Watching God Their Eyes Were Watching God, written by Zora Neale Hurston, describes a woman, named Janie, trying to discover herself. Janie is an African-American woman from the Deep South living in the early 1900s. Janie finds true love through three men who are completely different from each other. It is a story of searching for what is important by making the right choices, realizing one’s identity, and finding love through the struggles of life. In the book there are many themes worthy of discussion, including African-American culture and society in the Southern U.S., faith in God through nature, class structure, malefemale relationships, racism, and sexism. Read this book for a look into the life of an African American woman as she searches for God and love. Three Cups of Tea When Krista Mortenson dies in 1992, her older brother, Greg, vows to climb the mountain K2 in her honor. After becoming separated from his group on his expedition, Greg found himself lost in the treacherous mountains of the Karakoram Range in Pakistan. Without

shelter, food, water, or warm clothes, Greg stumbles upon the village of Korphe. The people of Korphe warmly greet Greg and give him food, drink and a place to rest. After regaining his strength, Greg walks around the village and begins to get a feel for what everyday life is like for these people. Many of the people suffer from malnutrition and do not have the proper medical supplies to treat injuries and sickness. School in the village of Korphe is an open piece of land. The learning conditions for the children appall Greg. Greg watches as seventy-eight boys and four girls quietly etch multiplication tables in the dirt without the guidance of a teacher. Greg knows this had to change. He promises the village that he will return and build a school for them. Over the next years Greg experiences several setbacks while trying to raise money to build a school. At first he struggles to raise money, but after a generous donation from Jean Hoerni (a rich scientist and former mountain climber), Greg finally has enough money to build a school. This sets off a series of events that eventually leads to the construction of more than sixty schools in Pakistan and Afghanistan. The Time Machine Set in both Victorian England and the year 802701 AD, The Time Machine is one of the earliest science fiction novels written. Also an allegory about the society of Victorian England, The Time Machine is a classic. This novella follows the story of an unnamed Time Traveler as he recounts it to the narrator. After travelling to the remote future, the Time Traveler finds what appears to be a communistic utopian society composed of small, fragile people known as the Eloi. However, after his time machine disappears, the Time Traveler discovers the Morlocks, a white, ape-like race of creatures who live underground and terrorize the surface at night. The Time Traveler, convinced the Morlocks have hidden the time machine, goes underground to find the Morlocks and retrieve the time machine.

To Kill a Mockingbird To Kill a Mockingbird is deeply moving and will be remembered forever as a timeless classic. Both the values and injustices that existed in this time period still exist today. Although this story deals with heavy issues of racism and prejudice, it appeals to adults, as well as children. The story is told through the eyes of a child, allowing kids to connect on a different level. They are able to experience what it would be like to grow up during this time. The story takes place in Maycomb, Alabama during the Great Depression. The story is told by 6-year old Scout Finch. She lives with her brother Jem and widowed father Atticus, who is a passionate attorney. The children spend their free time investigating a spooky house on their street where a man named Boo Radley lives. Rumor has it he once stabbed his father in the leg with a pair of scissors. They believe he is a monster of some sort. Atticus agrees to defend a black man named Tom Robinson, who was unjustly accused of raping a white girl. The fellow townspeople of Maycomb do not like that Atticus is defending Tom. This makes life very hard on The Finch family. As the story progresses, Scout loses her innocence and learns knowledge of the prejudice around her. Uncle Tom's Cabin by Harriet Beecher Stowe Heralded as the book that started the civil war, Uncle Tom's Cabin by Harriet Beecher Stowe, gives light to the horrors of slavery and shows mothers separated from their

children. Set in the 1850's during the height of slavery in the United States, the plot revolves around the titular character Uncle Tom, a loyal, dedicated, honorable, and religious man, and Eliza, a strong willed mother willing to forsake all she has ever known to protect her only child from slavery. Within the book and throughout the adventures of Uncle Tom and Eliza, Stowe emphasizes the incompatibility and opposition of slavery and religion, along with the evil and inhumanities of slavery. Water for Elephants Jacob Jankowski’s dream to be a veterinarian comes to a screeching halt with his parents’ abrupt deaths. Homeless and poor, Jacob hops a train headed out of town. He has no idea that the train and the circus he has chosen to runaway on is owned by a rough, cruel, highliving, abusive man, August. August owns the Benzini Brothers Circus and is married to Marlena, a gorgeous, animal loving woman, who is also the main star of the circus. Jacob becomes the veterinarian for all the animals in the circus, including the main attraction, Rosie the elephant, but when Jacob falls in love with Marlena, it begins a forbidden romance. Jacob puts his life in danger when he follows his heart, and he questions if he has the courage to do anything for the one he loves. Water For Elephants This story follows the life of Jacob Jankowski, a college dropout suffering the recent news of his parents’ deaths. After learning that his family is completely in debt, Jacob is unable to handle the stress of his final exams at Cornell and runs away. He eventually ends up on a train for the Benzini Brothers Most Spectacular Show on Earth, led by Uncle Al, the cold-hearted ringmaster, and August, the abusive, schizophrenic head animal trainer. Jacob becomes the show’s veterinarian after Uncle Al and August discover that he studied veterinary science at an Ivy League school. August is married to Marlena, who works with the horses, and Jacob soon falls in love with her. After the show picks up an elephant, Rosie, from another circus, Jacob and Marlena grow closer while training and caring for her. Will they get the chance to spend their lives together, or will August’s wrath tear them apart? A Wrinkle in Time A Wrinkle In Time by Madeleine L'Engle begins with Meg Murry and her brother, Charles Wallace, coping with news that their father, a gifted scientist, has gone missing. Three women-like celestial creatures then enter into the lives of Meg, Charles, and their friend Calvin, to explain that the Dark Thing. It’s a cloud of evil slowly overtaking the universe that has kidnapped Meg’s father. He is being held captive on another planet in the fifth dimension. They also reveal the existence of tesseracts or “wrinkles” in dimensions. These “wrinkles” allow for time and space travel. So Meg and the boys must fight against evil while journeying through different dimensions to save Mr. Murry. Wuthering Heights Wuthering Heights is Emily Brontë’s only novel. Through an intricate story, dark relationships evolve and dissipate. The narrator of the story, Mr. Lockwood, comes to the marshy Yorkshire area that contains two major estates known as Thrushcross Grange and Wuthering Heights. There he meets Mr. Heathcliff and the maid servant Nelly.

Lockwood’s journal entries recount Nelly’s observations as she tells the miserable tale of love suffered by Heathcliff for his childhood playmate and lifelong love, Catherine Earnshaw. The novel poses many questions to the reader, asking whether Heathcliff’s destructive and vengeful nature deserves sympathy or disgust and considering if Heathcliff as either the villain or rather a tragic hero. The novel and its complex love triangles can be interpreted in many ways, allowing its carefully crafted plot line to be the center of many discussions.