NHS Faculty & Staff Recommendations
NHS Faculty & Staff Recommendations
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Check out Fiction Titiles Faculty and Staff enjoyed reading!
Check out Fiction Titiles Faculty and Staff enjoyed reading!
"The Book Thief by Markus Zusak is a gripping Holocaust historical fiction novel which takes readers on an emotional journey to the very last page."
~ Ms. Dellasala, Library Media Specialist
"This book combined three things I love: maps, libraries, and mysteries! As the main character tries to figure out the secret her father was protecting when he died, she connects with important friends from his past and uncovers a magical map she must navigate with to believe. It was an engaging page-turner!"
~ Mrs. Marks, English Teacher and Dept. Chair
"I first read this book in high school and have revisited it several times over the years and it never loses its relevance. It helps the reader learn how to observe and deal with the insanity of their surroundings that others may pass off as normalcy."
~ Ms. Georgina, Science Teacher
"Adeyemi's young adult novel is an incredible, magical adventure that looks at who we are and the strengths we have - the strengths we know we possess and those that are untapped. Adeyemi blends Harry Potter type magic with West African mythology for a beautiful fantasy tale unlike anything I've ever read. This first book of the trilogy has something for everyone! Action, mystery, magic, and a bit of romance, too."
~ Ms. LaBarge, English Teacher
The Chronicles of Kerrigan, by W. J. May
"Harry Potter fans might like The Chronicles of Kerrigan. It's a series about a teenage girl who goes to a school for kids with superpowers. The first book in the series is called Rae of Hope. Rae grew up an orphan and had no idea she has superpowers until she gets invited to attend this boarding school in England. This book is available for Kindle, and the first six books in the series are free."
~ Ms. Flannery, World Language Teacher
"Reading this entire book is not necessary but it gives readers a window into the style and creations of a great horror writer. Lovecraft gives tantalizing descriptions of setting, senses, and feelings and describes creatures that haunt the imagination. Many of his stories end with a surprising reveal that leaves you wanting to read the next short story. His work is creepy, and intriguing and leaves just enough to the imagination so your own mind runs away with the scariest details of these horrible monsters and circumstances."
~ Ms. Georgina, Science Teacher
"With the current state of affairs in our country and the Black Lives Matter movement, this book is a modern heartbreaking reflection on race relations in America. This book and the character in it is relatable to our students in many ways. It is quite eye-opening and one that every teen student should read."
~ Ms. Gabriel, Theater and ELA Teacher
Devil in the White City, by Erik Larsen
“One of my favorite reads was The Devil In the White City by Erik Larsen. Told from several perspectives of the characters, the events surround the 1893 Chicago World’s Fair, showing the design process for the event itself, gritty political climate of 1890s Chicago, but also weaves in the chilling story of who is believed to be America’s first serial killer, H. H. Holmes. I hate saying it but I really struggled to put it down! Would definitely recommend, especially someone who already is a fan of all the serial killer stories that have been recently popularized on Netflix & Podcast platforms. Enjoy!
~ Ms. Stamm, Photography & Film Teacher
Dragon Teeth, by Michael Crichton
I recommend Dragon Teeth because it is a great mix of interesting facts and adventurous fiction that comes together in a story that has dinosaurs and the wild west. I also liked it because I learned about how CT is closely connected to the discovery of dinosaur fossils in the United States and you can even go see some of the fossils found by George Peabody in the Peabody museum in New Haven!
~ Ms. Georgina, Science Teacher
The Fire Keeper's Daughter, by Angeline Boulley
"I would like to recommend Firekeeper's Daughter by Angeline Boulley. In this novel, which is one of Reese Witherspoon's YA Book Club picks, Boulley tells the story of Daunis, an 18 year old biracial, unenrolled member of the Ojibwe tribe and what happens when there is a rise of crystal meth abuse in her community. Daunis goes undercover with the FBI and uses her skills in science and her knowledge of native medicine to serve as an informant. This novel is gripping from the beginning; a raw, authentic, beautifully-crafted modern novel."
~ Ms. Diaz, English Teacher
"What I love about Carson McCullers’ The Heart is a Lonely Hunter is the seamless way she conveys how deeply these very different people are connected and effect each other’s lives in their community. The author gets her readers to see how different each of these people may seem, but underneath it all, they share thoughts, feelings, and struggles that although they aren’t all that similar, connect them. They each are outcasts for different reasons but it’s a great story that really makes the reader think about how we interact with those around us and to examine ways in which our similarities are much greater than our differences."
~ Ms. Stamm, Photography & Film Teacher
"It's by J.K. Rowling, brand new, and being released as a serial right now. If you need an escape from the real world, I recommend this book. Plus, if you read it to your younger siblings, you can help them create art that is entered in a contest. Kids'pictures will be featured in the book when it's published later this year!"
~ Ms. Flannery, World Language Teacher
"Kenobi was a great book. It delivered the expanded Star Wars saga in the style of a western action-adventure! I wanted to recommend it now because the new Disney series about Obi-wan Kenobi just came out and it's a great way to keep exploring this beloved character."
~ Ms. Georgina, Science Teacher
"I really love a good mystery and this book by Irish author Tana French was a great one! She does a great job offering a page-turner that is also really well-written. It delves into the psychological effect of stepping into another person's life and trying to understand the complexities of their personal relationships while solving a murder at the same time. I loved all of her books, but this one was my favorite!"
~ Ms. Marks, English Teacher & Department Chair
"I can't tell you how much this book affected me. It was intensely tragic and inspiring at the same time. The fact that Whitehead covers so much in such a relatively short book makes it even more amazing. Of all the books that I read in the past year, this is the one that I think the most about." ~ Mr. Thomas, English Teacher
"An enjoyable book to read while sitting outside and enjoying the summer sun. Have a wonderful summer everyone."
~ Ms. Dellasala, Library Media Specialist
"Great beach read, with a little history tossed in."
~Ms. Dietter, Social Studies Teacher
"This is a perfect read for a world turned upside-down by Corona virus. The story is based on interviews with the real-life main character, Lale Sakolov, who not only found optimism and hope in the most horrific of circumstances, but also found a love that endured beyond the war. As I read, I was rooting for Lale and feeling grateful for the life I have."
~Mme. Gay, French Teacher
"It really makes you realize how fortunate we all are, and how life in other countries is so different from ours."
~ Ms. Bloom Para-educator
"This beautiful is a great book that is uplifting, emotional and strong willed person putting her family life back after having cancer.
~ Ms. Judy Watts, SpEd Paraeducator
"It is excellently written Fantasy and Brandon Sanderson is the by far the best world builder I have ever read. It also incorporates a meta narrative that ties many of his other books together."
~ Mr. Ekman, Science Teacher
"I'm looking forward to reading this book during summer break. It has many elements I like in a beach read: beach setting, family drama, and a twist at the end."
~ Ms. Gaiser, Library Clerk
"It is beautifully written. I can clearly picture in my mind the places and people described in the book. I also like how it is a mystery, a love story, a coming of age story, and a book about nature all rolled into one."
~Ms. Baumgartner, Science Teacher
"All time great book, I couldn't put it down. Very compelling story" ~ Mr. Foss, Social Studies Teacher
"It's a zombie novel (fun! exciting! action-packed!) with rich prose (enriching! challenging! beautiful!) and a deep meditative look at how collective traumas (for instance, a global apocalyptic event...) manifest in survivor archetypes. Whitehead is also a person of color, who is very much still writing, and if the pandemic ever ends, often gives talks and speeches in the New England area. It's always a good time to add people of color to the literary canon, but it seems like an especially good time right now."
~ Mr. Tenney, English Teacher
Check out Non-fiction Titles Faculty and Staff enjoyed reading!
Check out Non-fiction Titles Faculty and Staff enjoyed reading!
"It's clearly relevant right now and will give our students and staff (maybe could even be a community read) a glimpse into what life is like in America as a black man. Coates describes a fear that black men deal with every day and a system that does little to protect them. I think it is a must read and hopefully will open eyes and hearts." ~ Ms. MacKrell, English & Academic Support Teacher
"Though short, just 176 pages, this book packs a lasting impression! Reading it, I wasn't just captivated - I was seized. Profound yet intimate, this stark look at racism in our country gave me a crystal clear view through an unfamiliar lens and forced me to confront some of my own assumptions. It more than enlightened me - it changed me." ~ Ms. Zandonella (Ms. Z.) Librarian, Freshman Seminar & Sr. Experience/Capstone teacher
Ms. Zandonella
"I really liked Crying in H-Mart, a memoir by Michelle Zauner. The author, who is Korean-American, is the lead singer of the band Japanese Breakfast. The memoir recounts her many trips to H-Mart (a chain of Korean supermarkets) after the death of mother, and how those trips brought back memories and helped her come to terms with her loss. It is poignant and beautifully written."
~ Mr. Thomas, English Teacher
"Finding Freedom is a favorite book of mine. It’s a story of triumph, hard work, grit, loosing everything and attaining success through one’s passion. A true story of a kick butt woman! Our mistakes do not define us and she proves it."
~ Mrs. Mendes, School Counselor
"I'm a vegan foodie and a huge fan of Asian Cuisine! Though initially intimated by the exotic spices in many Korean dishes, I was thrilled that the author provided more widely available substitutions for harder to find ingredients. This truly is a beautiful book, featuring mouth watering photographs of some of the author's favorite recipes, which she shares through fond memories of her family and beloved Omma."
~ Ms. Zandonella (Ms. Z.), Librarian, Freshman Seminar & Sr. Capstone Teacher
"It gives great historical context to the current events relating to the Black Lives Matter movement spanning almost 300 years of African American history and social justice issues."
~ Ms. Stamm, Photography & Film Teacher
A Most Beautiful Thing, by Arshay Cooper
"A Most Beautiful Thing: The True Story of America’s First All-Black High school Rowing Team by Arshay Cooper. Through the pages of the book the reader is introduced to the young men from Chicago's West side who reluctantly embraced the sport and transformed their lives."
~ Ms. Dellasala, Library Media Specialist and Freshman Seminar Teacher
Recommended by
~ Mr. Roach, Assistant Principal
"I recommend "On the edge of the dark sea of darkness" by Andrew Peterson. I like this and the rest of the books in the series because they are written in a whimsical style, but deal with important truths in an exciting and engaging way."
~ Mr. Ekman, Science Teacher
The Midnight Library, by Matt Haig
"I recommend The Midnight Library by Matt Haig. It’s a fiction book about a woman who enters a dream-like library and discovers she has the chance for multiple do-overs in life.
This book teaches some subtle yet important lessons about regrets that people hold onto in life. Have you ever wondered “what if”? If so, this is the book for you."
~ Mme Sra Flannery, World Language Teacher
A Walk in they Woods, by Bill Bryson
"I laughed out loud so many times reading about this adventure of two friends hiking the Appalachian Trail. Not only did I learn about the Appalachian Trail, I was inspired to hike a small portion in Sherman, CT with my children after reading this book!"
~ Dr. Hoag, School Psychologist
"I love books with a new perspective, or reveals of new interpretations for what we thought we knew. I can’t wait to tear into this."
~ Mr. Edwards, Social Studies Teacher
"This is a journalistic and narrative feat. It's a deep dive in to college, admissions, financial aid, and the testing industrial complex. It's the stories of First Generation and Low Income college students facing a mountain of social, economic, and cultural obstacles built to keep them out of those hallowed halls. It should be required reading for every student and parent."
~ Ms. Kaplan, English Teacher
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