Educated people are obligated to read — this stereotype has led generations of our people to force their children into the library to leaf through tattered textbooks. As a result, after school, reading turns into a boring and unpleasant duty, somewhere between washing dishes and going to the dentist.
Those who have been spared such a fate know that reading is not only interesting, but also enjoyable! It is for such people that we have prepared a selection of interesting books, each of which can become the starting point of your journey into the world of books.
“Miracle”, R. J. Palacio
The main character's name is August: he is in fifth grade, walks his dog, watches Star Wars and plays on the computer. He also has a sister, whom he loves, of course, but not a day goes by without them arguing. In short, an ordinary life, although the hero himself can hardly be called ordinary.
Due to a genetic disease, he has no face, he has never gone to the district school, but circumstances have developed such that his mother can no longer work with him individually. Therefore, an inevitable meeting with other children is on the horizon.
This book is about kindness, irony, and self-acceptance. But what you won't find here is empty talk and sermons. In short, a wonderful novel that keeps you in suspense from the first page to the last.
“Turtles All the Way Down,” John Green
The author's new work is “The Fault in Our Stars.” Now the reader is introduced to Aza, a shy and withdrawn young lady who is drawn into the search for a missing millionaire.
This is both a detective story about teenagers and a deep psychological study of the inner world of a thirteen-year-old. It can be a guide, an instruction manual for finding mutual understanding with your own teenagers.
“The Book Thief”, Markus Zusak
The setting is pre-war Germany, where things are very bleak and uncomfortable. Especially for the main character, the girl Liesel, who is trying to find understanding with her adoptive parents. All this takes place against the backdrop of book bonfires and Hitler Youth columns marching through the streets. On top of everything, the heroine is also hated and ostracized in her new school.
In 2013, the book was adapted into a film, and it was quite successful and authentic, which is a rarity for modern cinema.
“The Peak”, Roland Smith
The main character is called Peak. He is 14 years old, he is a hereditary climber, crazy about high mountains and the most dangerous adventures. The plot begins with the fact that his father invites him to climb the highest mountain on Earth. Thus, Peak will become the youngest climber who is destined to conquer this highest peak.
However, it turned out that a simple guy from New York is not ready to get to know the amazing Eastern world. On the streets of bustling Kathmandu, full of mysteries of a Buddhist monastery high in the mountains or on Himalayan roads, there is too little romance. Under the piercing gusts of icy wind, fatigue, oxygen starvation and a dangerous world where no one will come to the rescue, the protagonist says goodbye to the illusions of childhood and learns to look at himself differently.
“Miss Charity”, Murray Marie-Aude
French writer Murray Marie-Aude has written over a hundred children's and young adult books, for which she was made a Dame of the Legion of Honor in 2017 for her outstanding contribution to French literature.
The novel's character is called Charity Tiddler, and she lives in Victorian London at the end of the 19th century. She will have to try on dresses, learn embroidery, and attend boring classes at school until the day her parents finally find her a worthy groom. There's just one catch: this scenario doesn't suit the girl at all.
The prototype for Miss Charity was a real living person – writer and artist Beatrix Potter, who emerged from the world of strict Victorian rules into the world and transformed into a Personality.
“Goodbye, Berlin!”, Wolfgang Herrndorf
Mika is an ordinary guy from Germany who is dissatisfied with his life. He has a friend, the son of immigrants, Andriy. Out of boredom, they steal an old junkyard and set off on an adventurous journey along the German autobahns.
This is a coming-of-age novel combined with a journey. Among the books in our selection, it is perhaps distinguished by the greatest cynicism, straightforwardness, and honesty — both by the author and the characters. It will be interesting, but sometimes scary, and sometimes bitter.
“A Street Cat Named Bob,” James Bowen
A homeless musician named James lived a street life, was a drug addict, and was about to give up, but he met a ginger cat named Bob. He helped the hero get rid of his addiction and believe in himself, and the story of this unusual furry friendship formed the basis of the film.
Sounds like a fairy tale, doesn't it? In fact, that's how it was. James is the prototype of the character.
“When We Meet,” Rebecca Stead
It appeals to younger teenagers, the same age as the main character Miranda — she is 12. The girl has a problem: her mother behaves like a crazy infantile girl, she has no friends in class, and an old friend moves away in the vicissitudes of life. In addition, she begins to receive mysterious notes that predict the future and advise the girl on exactly what she needs to do so that this or that event happens as soon as possible or does not happen at all. The backdrop for these events is atmospheric and very lively New York.
In 2009, Rebecca Stead's novel was included in the list of children's bestsellers in America and has never left it since.
“Violet and the Lost Garden”, Paul Martin
Alice in Wonderland reincarnation. A girl walks around the house with her dog and finds a certain space inhabited by magical creatures. They are all in danger, and to save the garden from destruction and her new friends from death, Violetta begins to solve mysteries and conduct an investigation like a real investigator.
The book is illustrated by the legend of modern French graphics, Jean-Baptiste Bourgeois.
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