Senior Student Assistant Appreciation: 2024

The Lost Hero (The Heroes of Olympus, #1) by Rick Riordan

I love the original Percy Jackson series, and The Heroes of Olympus series is just as good, if not better. All five books in this series never fail to give me goosebumps. The Lost Hero is the first book in The Heroes of Olympus series and is a gateway into a thrilling story that brings back the already loved characters from the original Percy Jackson series and introduces new exciting characters. This book and the rest of the series pull at your heartstrings in all the right ways. Reading this book is a guaranteed way to pull you into this fantastic world and is definitely worth the read. Enjoy the emotional, action-packed journey that is The Heroes of Olympus!

Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand

This book is extremely important to me because the true hardships experienced and the resilience in it puts everything into perspective and reminds me to be thankful for everything I have.

Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing by Matthew Perry

The TV show Friends has acted as a sanctuary for me since middle school, with one of my favorite characters being Chandler Bing. This memoir is a gripping look into the life of the beloved star, Matthew Perry, as he struggled with his addiction privately in the public eye. It speaks to the intensity of the disease, as it can control the life of someone who seems to have it all. In light of his recent passing, I have chosen this book to honor the memory of someone who has influenced myself, as well as millions of people around the globe, for decades.

The Unbearable Lightness of Being, Milan Kundera

This book showed me the importance of living your life to the fullest and achieving the outcomes you want from your one and only shot at life, no matter the circumstances one faces.

Mistborn: The Final Empire by Brandon Sanderson

I loved reading the fantasy book Mistborn: The Final Empire because its gritty plot, complex characters, and unique magic system enthrall the reader into its world. The plot follows a heisting crew attempting to take down a god-like ruler. The characters' personalities feel like they were ripped out of a Dungeons and Dragons campaign in the best way possible. Brandon Sanderson created a unique system of magic using metallurgy as the crux for activating special abilities similar to Avatar the Last Airbender. If you are a fantasy fan interested in dystopian politics, overarching plots, and cinematic battles, give the Mistborn series a try!

Survival of the Sickest: The Surprising Connections Between Disease and Longevity by Dr. Sharon Moalem

This book holds personal meaning for me as it resonates deeply with my belief in life-long learning. In the journey of self-improvement, there is no better time than the present to continually enrich our minds. The most precious asset you possess is your mind, and the quality of what you invest in it shapes your growth and understanding of the world! Literacy is key… and never stop learning!

Atomic Habits by James Clear

It's a book that helps you grow to be a better person.

The Monster at the end of this book by Jon Stone and  Michael Smollin (Grover Only Edition)

This was my favorite book growing up. My dad used to make the voice of Grover and it always used to make me laugh. I also think it is a very important social-emotional book for kids as it teaches them that sometimes what they worry about does not actually happen or that things are not as bad as you think they will be.