The end of our first term at Sentinel can be a very busy time, filled with last minute assignments, final tests, and the last bursts of stress before two weeks of relaxation. But as we enter the final stretch before a much-needed break, Sentinel students can start to look forward to activities of a less academic nature.
It’s often challenging to find time for recreational reading while classes are in full swing. “I just don’t have time for reading when I have to divide my time between all of my classes. Even on the weekends, I have to spend so much time organizing myself for the upcoming week,” says Christie, a grade 11 student at Sentinel. But for many, the desire to engage in literature has in no way diminished: “I have tons of books that I’d like to read, as soon as I can find the time,” Christie adds.
So, where can students find that time? Winter break is a great opportunity to dig into a good book and to fill the spaces in between holiday socializing, catching up on rest, and other scheduled activities with reading. From engaging fantasy novels to the immersive education of historical fiction, any genre can provide a unique and meaningful way for students to reconnect with books over the winter holidays.
There are many students at Sentinel who consider certain novels to be very important to them. Books often convey important messages that speak to universal themes such as love, life, humanity, and acceptance.
A few Sentinel students shared their favourite books, and talked about why they connect to them:
“ ‘Winter’ by Marissa Meyer is the final book in the series ‘The Lunar Chronicles.’ The characters are all super developed (including the villain) and it has a perfect blend of action and wholesome couple moments.”
Dorothy, Grade 11
" ‘Harry Potter’ (the whole series) because it’s always new and exciting.”
- Michelle, Grade 12
“ ‘Harry Potter.’ It never gets old.”
- Matt, Grade 12
“One of my favourite books is ‘Good Omens’ by Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett, which is about an angel and a demon (and some other wacky characters) trying to put an end to Armageddon. I like it because it’s incredibly funny while also telling an extremely heartfelt tale about how fate is never truly set in stone, and how humans aren’t really ‘good’ or ‘bad,’ but just ‘are’. Also, one of the main characters is the antichrist, who helps to stop the end of the world because he was raised so left out of divinity and instead just grew up purely human.”
- Molly, Grade 11
“My favourite book is ‘The Diary of a Young Girl” by Anne Frank, because it’s so personal and it’s relevant even now. It provides a really interesting and innocent perspective on World War II that you don’t see too much.”
- Mimi, Grade 11
“My favourite book is ‘Mindhunter’ by John E. Douglas, who is a retired FBI special agent who worked in the FBI’s Behavioral Science Unit. He is a trailblazer in the criminal psychology department of the FBI and worked with many felons to see why they did what they did. I am very intrigued by criminology, so buying this book was a must. This book, which inspired the show ‘Mindhunter’ on Netflix, talks about his time as a criminal profiler and the techniques he used when interviewing felons. He also talks about how to predict the predators, and how to make yourself less vulnerable.” - Maddie, Grade 12
“My favourite book is ‘Pride’ by Ibi Zoboi. It’s a retelling of Pride and Prejudice but set in present-day Brooklyn. I really liked it because it was really relatable (teenager looking for a University, crushing on someone, and dealing with siblings), but it also gave an interesting perspective on life as a teen in Brooklyn, as well as exploring cultural identity, belonging, and also the difficulties of navigating social status.”
Sophia, Grade 11
Evidently, books have the power to inspire, to teach, to comfort, and to connect. Hopefully, Sentinel students can take the opportunity of a two-week holiday to read a new novel or two and to reconnect with their favourites.
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