Book Recommendations for Students by Students!

Below is a list of book recommendations put together by the students of Kinsale Community School in honour of World Book Day, Thursday 3rd of March 2022.

Book Recommendations for Students by Students

‘The Hate U Give’ by Angie Thomas  

‘The Hate U Give’ is about a teenage girl named Starr who witnesses the murder of her childhood friend at the hands of the police. Afterwards Starr begins to question her place in American society as a Black teenager and is faced with the choice of silence or action. The book is emotional, gripping and powerful. 

‘A Monster Calls’ by Patrick Ness

A Monster Calls’ is about a 13-year-old boy named Conor who has reoccurring nightmares about a monster. One night Conor is visited by a different monster who tells him stories and helps him cope with his mother’s illness. The book is emotional, eerie and heart wrenching.

‘I am Malala’ by Malala Yousafzai with Christina Lamb

‘I am Malala’ is an intriguing account of the trials and tribulations of a young Muslim girl who just wants an education in Northern Pakistan where the Taliban held the country by its throat. In this autobiography by Malala Yousafzai and co-written by Christina Lamb you get a personal insight how what we take for granted is ruthlessly stripped away from others and how the determination of one girl and her love for education inspired thousands.

‘Mythos’ by Stephen Fry

‘Mythos’ is a tongue and cheek retelling of Greek myths and stories by comedian Stephen Fry. It tells both well and lesser-known Greek myths in a unique, entertaining and understandable way as well as exploring the origins and meanings behind the Gods and how they were worshipped and revered. The book is witty, entertaining and fun.

‘The Fault in Our Stars’ by John Green

‘The Fault in Our Stars’ is a novel written by John Green. The story follows Hazel Grace Lancaster, a 16-year-old girl from Indianapolis, who is in a none stop battle with cancer. Hazels constant companion is her oxygen tank, named Philip. This soon changes when 17-year-old, Augustus Waters joins her support group. Augustus is an amputee and a survivor of osteosarcoma. Hazel and Augustus bond immediately. The pair agree to read each other's favorite novels and their own story begins from there. 

‘The Fault in Our Star’ normalizes a tragic piece of life through a humorous and heartfelt story. 

‘Little Women’ by Louisa May Alcott

‘Little Women’ is a novel written by Louisa May Alcott, loosely based on her own life, the story follows the lives of the four March sisters, Meg, Jo, Beth, and Amy who learn the hard lessons of poverty and of growing up in New England during the civil war. It is such a heartwarming story, enjoyed and recommended by a wide variety of readers.

The ‘Alex Rider’ Series by Anthony Horowitz

When typical schoolboy Alex Rider gets drawn into the details of his uncle’s death, he lands himself in the world of espionage. Only to realise it could be harder to wriggle himself out of the course of events that write his treacherous road ahead. Turned teenage spy Alex ventures from The Alps to The Sahara Desert in an action filled series, opposing the most absurd and fatal missions not even thought to man.

Brian O’Driscoll ‘The Test’ - Autobiography

Ex rugby legend Brian O’ Driscoll recaps on a stellar career and the tests he was faced with along the way such as personal loss, off the field pressures and career threatening injuries. Packed with vivid insights into his own game, and into his coaches and teammates with Leinster, Ireland and the Lions. It is also the story of a complicated human being forging his own identity in the public eye. Not just an essential sports book but also highlights family, friends, hard work, courage and imagination.

‘The Secret Diary of Adrian Mole Aged 13 and 3 Quarters’ by Sue Townsend

A hapless teenager providing an unabashed, pimples and all glimpses into adolescent life. With his parent’s marital issues and the all mighty pity of being a teenager on his hands (God love him) Adrian must also juggle the burden of love on his shoulders for the divine Pandora. All of this and so much more is withheld in this hilarious and heartfelt chronicle of adolescence. A highly relatable book for all teenagers.

‘Of Mice and Men’ by John Steinbeck

‘Of Mice and Men’ is based on two friends, George, and Lenny, as they start work in a ranch in 1930’s California in hopes of one day living the American dream. The story is told over the space of four days, and we are introduced to the lifestyle and the characters in this time. George is a small, intelligent man who looks after his friend Lennie, a large, strong man who has a learning disability. Throughout the story, George always tries to do his best for Lenny, as he once promised Lenny’s mother he would after she was gone. The end of the book see’s George has to make a difficult decision to make sure he keeps that promise.

‘Six Of Crows’ by Leigh Bardugo
This is a book from the author Leigh Bardugo writer of the Grisha trilogy, this book is set in the same world but with completely different characters and on a different location.

Six of Crows is the story of Kaz Brekker and his crew, attempting to pull off an impossible heist. There is Kaz, known as ‘Dirtyhands’ in the Barrel (the slums of Ketterdam), who is part of The Dregs. The Dregs is a gang. Then there is Inej, the wraith, whose ability to move soundlessly makes her unique. Jesper, a sharpshooter with a serious gambling problem and Wylan, the insurance. Finally, Nina, a Grisha heart render and Matthias, the outsider with insider knowledge. Together, they are going on a suicide mission, and together they are dangerous enough to have a chance.

This book is easy to read but is beautifully written, every chapter is written from the point of view from each character what makes you understand and get to know who all the characters are and their personalities and backgrounds. Also, the plot is very interesting and there are a lot of plot twist that make you keep reading.

‘The Boy in the Stripped Pyjamas’ by John Boyne

This story follows a young German boy named Bruno during World War 2. In this story Bruno encounters the Boy in the Striped Pyjamas.

He wonders why his new friend always wears pyjamas and why there is a tall fence separating his new friend. Bruno is also confused why his father is so reluctant to let him explore the back garden.

I found this book interesting because it teaches you about the horrors and cruelty of war through the story of Bruno and the ’boy in the striped pyjamas.’

‘The Book Thief’ by Markus Zusak

‘The Book Thief’ tells the story of Liesel, a little girl who is taken to a new home because her mom can’t afford taking care of her. The story is narrated by Death, who becomes a character you end up feeling sorry for by the end. I think this book is a great read and is a personal favourite of mine. The narration puts a unique perspective on the book and really open the readers imagination.

‘A Court of Thorns and Roses’ by Sarah J. Maas

A girl by the name of Feyre survives on her ability to hunt and kill. During the winter months, the forest by her home is a cold, bleak and dark place. When she encounters a deer hunted by a wolf, she cannot resist fighting for its flesh. The consequence of killing this predator comes at a costly price. Accused of the murder of a faerie, Feyre is dragged to the magical kingdom on the other side of the wall. Her captor, who obscures his face with a jeweled mask, is hiding a secret, an ancient curse. Her hostility towards him becomes a wild passion. Feyre must break this curse before she loses him altogether to the menacing and dangerous faerie lands.

‘Private Peaceful’ by Michael Morpurgo

Set during World War I, Private Peaceful charts eight hours in the life of Tommo, a young soldier on the Front Line. Tommo looks back over significant events in his life, his father’s early death, his relationship with his mother and brothers, Big Joe and Charlie and their beloved school friend Molly. All set in a beautiful rural landscape.

‘City of Glass - The Mortal Instruments’ (Book Three) by Cassandra Clare

In order to save her mother’s life, Clary must Journey to the City of Glass, the Shadowhunters ancestral home. Entering the city without permission would mean death. To make things worse she finds out that Jace does not want her to be there, and her best friend Simon has been thrown in prison by the clave as they are suspicious of a vampire who can withstand sunlight. As Clary uncovers her family’s past, she meets a mysterious Shadowhunter, Sebastian. With Valentine assembling his forces and gathering power, Shadowhunters and Downworlders

‘The Knife of Never Letting Go’ (Chaos Walking Series) by Patrick Ness

Todd Hewitt is the only boy left in a town of men. Ever since the settlers arrived in the New World, the men have been infected with a germ called Noise. Everyone can hear each other's thoughts in streams of images, words, and sounds. The town Todd lives in is vacant of women and he was told that the germ killed them all. A month before he becomes a man, he realizes the town’s awful secret and is forced to flee with his trusted dog. He stumbles upon an eerily, quiet girl in the midst of pursuit by the hostile townsmen. Todd is perplexed. Who is she? Why wasn’t she killed by the germ like all the females on New World?

‘Tuesdays with Morrie’ by Mitch Albom

‘Tuesdays with Morrie’ is a memoir by Mitch Albiom for his college professor and friend Morrie Shwartz. English student and enthusiast turned sports journalist, Mitch has lost sight of what is important in life, and what makes him happy. Piled with work and a failed marriage in addition, he has forgotten who he is. When given the news that his old English professor has attained a terminal disease, he decides to pay him a visit. And soon, one visit turned into visits every Tuesday. Through Morries wise words and witty humour, Mitch learns how to have fun again, how to appreciate the trivial things, and live every day like it is his last.