Upper Arlington High School
2004 Teen Read Week Favorite Book Essay Contest
(photographs courtesy of John Heck)

 

 back to Teen Read

One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest by Ken Kesey                          Leili S.

Listening to my friend's recommendation, I picked up One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest , by Ken Kesey.   Drawn in by the novel's sarcastic and quirky humor and its deeper messages on human dignity and the oppressions of Society, I inhaled the book, and it became one of my favorite novels.  

One Flew Over centers on McMurphy, a strong, brawny man committed to a mental institution for "repeated outbreaks of passion that suggest the possible diagnosis of a psychopath" (Kesey 46).   He enters his new home determined to have a good time and quickly turns the ward upside down, much to the horror of Big Nurse, the controlling woman in charge of the ward.   Told by 'Chief', a huge Native American man suffering from hallucinations, the novel questions the very definition of insanity, and the treatment of those committed to mental institutions.   Above all, it preaches rebellion against tyranny and the status quo, a theme I found refreshing and inspiring.   Not for those who love the status quo, One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest , by Ken Kesey, brings a bit of rebellious joy to all those who read it.

The Feminine Mystique   by Betty Friedan                              Jeanette S.

Though many people view The Feminine Mystique as a revolutionary book, few look beyond its historical significance to see its current relevance.   The Feminine Mystique encourages questioning the rules of society, pushing for change, and working both as a community & as individuals to right widely accepted social wrongs.   Its message is not just achieving gender equality, but the need to be open to new ideas and willing to challenge old ones   - a message as meaningful & relevant now as it was when the book was first published.

The Catcher in the Rye   by J.D. Salinger                               Emerson B.

Upon hearing the title, The Catcher in the Rye , most Americans exhibit at least a hint of recognition.The scope of this book is far-reaching for a reason, and that reason is Holden Caulfield.   This rebellious, phony-exposing teen is truly a unique character in the literary world.   In my many years as a reader, I have never encountered a more likeable individual, or one that I could identify with more, than Holden Caulfield.   Every kid feels alienated and disillusioned by the world at one time or another, and this inevitable need to escape one's problems is faultlessly described through Holden's journey in The Catcher in the Rye .

9 Stories by J.D. Salinger                                                         Michael M.

Although I don't believe I've yet read my share of short stories, I have read many, and the nine in this book are all in my top ten.   Each of the nine shorts is a perfectly fresh, and real slice of true life.   It doesn't matter that the book is fiction.   The characters became real to me and the compassion I felt for them was real too.   I was mesmerized as I read each story, channeling through nine different parallel universes, all connected by the beauty and despair of life itself.   The simplicity of his words and form has deep impact as he describes some of our most complex emotions as humans.   Salinger is able to encompass in 25 pages what most novels will never reach... and he does it 9 times.

Safely Home by Randy Alcorn                                                  Lynn B.

Safely Home weaves the story of two men's lives, one a business man and the other a Christian man living in an anti-Christian China.   The Chinese man, Li Quan, lives out firm beliefs rather than using difficult circumstances as an excuse for compromising, and his friend, the business man, sees the truth not just in Li Quan's words, but in the way Quan endures jail by reaching out to the jailer.   The book encouraged me to care for others and stand firm in my beliefs especially when I experience trying times.   Through the extreme circumstance of Li Quan becoming a Christian martyr, Safely Home gives an insightful and powerful message of resilience & dedication to truth.

Heartlight by T.A. Barron                                                               Sarah B.

My favorite book was one I fist relished when my dad read it to me as a little girl.   Years later, remembering how much I enjoyed T.A. Barron's Heartlight , I decided to read it myself.   It was then that I realized Heartlight not only resonated with moral messages of enduring love and hope, but was far beyond a simple children's book.   It is a sophisticated, adventure-filled science fantasy novel that beautifully combines pure physics and powerful emotions .   Heartlight is original, fascinating, and overflowing with gorgeous scenery and intricate characters that will pull you into their world; when you take your eyes from the pages of Heartlight, you'll be surprised to find yourself on earth.

Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen                                              Katie P.

Girl meets boy.   Girl is attracted to boy.   Boy offends girl. Girl hates boy.   Eventually, boy's impeccable character is revealed to girl.   Girl loves boy. This story line is not from Days of Our Lives or some dull high school movie.   Jane Austen wrote about "girl" and "boy" as Elizabeth Bennett and Fitzwilliam Darcy in her novel, Pride and Prejudice .   Although the story has been copied myriad times, the original is still fresh and exciting.   Not only is Pride and Prejudice a love story that has fascinated school girls for centuries but also a brilliant social commentary.   Austen's wit and sarcasm make the book both relevant to modern times and enjoyable.   The well-known opening line illustrates Austen's wit: "It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune must be in want of a wife" (Austen 1).   This mockery of convention and social standards is what sets Austen apart from the tired soap operas and high school movies of today.