Our graduating students were asked to each choose one book that influenced who they are today. Here is their incredible list.
Student Name: Jenny
Title of the Book: The Giver
Why this book is influential/important to you:
This book has taught me important lessons as well as leading me through a captivating story. This story has taught me that even though sometimes we don’t want to remember bad memories they’re important. There have been moments where I’ve made mistakes and I don’t want to remember them but I know that the bad times help you grow and this book has taught me the importance of that. As well, it’s been influential to me because the whole idea is that everyone is made to do something specific and I think that it shows how lucky I am to have the opportunity to do or be whatever I want. It’s taught me the importance of choosing your own path and being different.
Student Name: Maayan
Title of the Book: Sachar/שחר
Why this book is influential/important to you:
This book influenced me in many ways because it tells us about the greatest fear of every Israeli. The book tells us about Sachar, an Israeli soldier that died in the war. This book taught me not to take anything or anyone for granted. It taught me that everything can change anytime and we should embrace the changes and not fight them. It also taught me how to cope with loss. In the book we can read about Sachar’s family and how they keep his memory alive while moving forward in their lives. I will never forget this book because of all the lessons that it had taught me and I am grateful that I had the chance to read it and learn from it.
Student Name: Sarah
Title of the Book: One Of Us Lying
Why this book is influential/important to you:
This book is influential/important to me because it shows a lot of very important and real situations that aren’t talked about enough (I can’t say what without spoiling it). That causes people to learn lessons based on the way people are or act around others and how they are treated. The book also teaches you to really look in between the lines to figure out the mystery that is hidden inside the book.
Student Name: Jordan
Title of the Book: The Name of the Wind
Why this book is influential/important to you:
This book is influential to me because it reminds me that people can be cruel and heartless, given the opportunity, and that patience is key in life. This book also showed me that if you bide your time and wait long enough, people will be unsuspecting to schemes.
Student Name: Darren
Title of the Book: Broken Strings
Why this book is influential/important to you: This book is important to me because it in the book there is a Zayde that was in the Holocaust and didn’t like to talk about it to his grand kids but at one point he finally tells them. That is the same exact same thing with my grandparents because they where both in the Holocaust and both of them don’t like to talk about it. I hope at one point my grandparents tell me about there experience in the Holocaust but I guess I have to wait and see.
Student Name: Jordana
Title of the Book: Harry Potter Series
Why this book is influential/important to you:
This book series is important to me because I love the storyline and the characters. The characters can teach you a lot as you watch them grow up and get older at Hogwarts and become wiser. I’ve felt a personal connection to Harry Potter from the first time that I read it all the way until now.
Student Name: Sarah
Title of the Book: Ranger’s Apprentice
Why this book is influential/important to you:
This book is influential to me because it teaches you that even if you don’t get something on the first try doesn’t mean you should stop trying. The main character Will wants to be an apprentice of a fighter, but he doesn’t end up getting that. He ends up being an apprentice of a ranger and he was good at being one but doesn’t mean it wasn’t hard for him. Even though it was difficult at times, he still kept trying and trying to help as much as possible.
Student Name: Abby
Title of the Book: The Wave
Why this book is influential/important to you: Throughout the book very important lessons and morals were taught. I learned a lot, and enjoyed how the story went. I highly recommend this book to learn about the holocaust and how it affected so many people.
Student Name: Elisha
Title of the Book: We Were Liars
Why this book is influential/important to you:
This book was important to me because it taught me so many lessons that I wouldn’t have given a second look. Everyone tells you to treasure your childhood, but I’ve never really paid attention. It wasn’t my problem. It was a concern for my future. And that was the exact issue. It felt like yesterday Adele put out her last song but in reality it was 7 years ago and 2015 was actually 7 years ago. The book was like a waking point. It showed me that one day it will all end so you have to live in the moment, so I shouldn’t worry what I got on my test or worry about the latest gossip, so do whatever you want (not everything) just stop worrying because one day our childhood will no longer be the present but the past.
Student Name: Ruben
Title of the Book: Maus
Why this book is influential/important to you:
This book is important to me because this book was made to teach people more about the Holocaust without it being very intimidating. This was a very good way to teach young kids about the Holocaust so they get to learn younger to make sure it never happens again. The book is about a son writing an article about his father’s experience in the Holocaust. I would recommend this book to ages 10+ because there is a bit of graphic text.
Student Name: Yamaya
Title of the Book: The Hate U Give
Why this book is influential/important to you:
This book was influential to me because it boldly addressed grave problems that exist in our society such as racism and police violence. Through it’s captivating plot with life-like characters, I learned a lot about racial profiling and discrimination. As well, I found the plot of this book to be unflinchingly honest and realistic, which I appreciated. The fact that it didn’t cover up the harsh reality people of colour constantly face helped me to understand more. This was definitely a book that will stick with me for the rest of my life.
Student Name: Talia
Title of the Book: The Fault in Our Stars
Why this book is influential/important to you:
This book taught me a very important and lifelong lesson. It helped me understand the importance of living your life as if every day is your last as well as reminding me the importance of gratitude and appreciation for the big things such as health, as well as the little things such as a simple smile.
Student Name: Brandon
Title of the Book: Diary of a Wimpy Kid
Why this book is influential/important to you:
This book was from my childhood. I remember this was one of my first books i ever read as it was funny, goofy and just made me laugh. I love watching movies but this is one instance where the book is way better than the movie you get to care for the characters more than in the movie. I love this book so much and it will always hold a special place in my heart.
Student Name: Sasha
Title of the Book: The Captain’s Daughter
Why this book is influential/important to you:
This book is influential because it is mixing fiction and nonfiction together. It is a very interesting story and perspective of an uprising/ insurrection of a man named Pugachov who took over a big portion of the Russian empire. This uprising was gruesome. Along with the story of the battle we followed the main character suffering challenges as a teeenager part of the army. This book was very intriguing.
Student Name: Oren
Title of the Book: Resistance
Why this book is influential/important to you:
This book is influential to me because it is about the life of a jew in the Holocaust. It is a sad story about the struggles Jews had to experience like being lifted from your home and sent to live with 4 other families, or losing a loved one. Reading this reminded me how important it is to be a Jew.
Student Name: Gabrielle
Title of the Book: Shadow and Bone
Why this book is influential/important to you:
My favorite books are fantasy books, and for about a year I’ve been reading the book series Shadow and Bone. In the book you find imaginary creatures, exciting, and even scary things! This is a book that was exactly what I was looking for. It is in two parts in Hebrew. Both parts were fascinating and are definitely my favourite books today!
Great list!!