The Must Read Books According to Teens

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Young teens often look for various ways to impress their parents. The problem is, most of the things that parents are interested in have no appeal to younger people and are flat-out boring. Worry not, however, as the following novels are both interesting and contain deeper messages that you can bother your parents with for hours. Not to mention the new things you’ll learn from them will surely impress older family members.

Sophie’s World

by Jostein Gaarder

Want to impress your parents with your newfound critical thinking skills and historical knowledge? Then be sure to check out this 1991 Norwegian novel. Sophie’s World revolves around the life of its eponymous character, a teenage girl who is introduced to philosophy by middle-aged loner Alberto Knox. The plot’s simplicity, combined with its easily digestible yet highly informative content, makes Sophie’s World perfect for younger audiences who simply want to learn something new. Both accurate and richly detailed, Sophie’s World is the perfect book for children and young teens alike, especially if they want to impress their parents. Containing a very exciting twist near its end, this book is sure to take any child that picks it up on the adventure of a lifetime.

Animal Farm

by George Orwell

Politics seems to be a hot topic nowadays, between parents, other family members, and their friends. Sometimes, they can be impressed by other peoples’ opinions and ways of thinking, so why not try impressing your parents by reading George Orwell’s 1945 classic, Animal Farm? Already a well-known book among students, this novel tells the story of a group of farm animals that successfully overthrow their human owners, and subsequently establish their own state. Struggles for power ensue, revealing the best and worst of each animal in the process. Equal parts simple and thought-provoking, Animal Farm’s plot makes politics and political ideologies a bit more interesting, and would make for a great dinner table discussion. Older people, not just parents, will definitely be impressed by a young teen that is just as knowledgeable about politics as they are, if not more, so make sure to check out this great piece of writing the next time you visit the library!

To Kill a Mockingbird

by Harper Lee

Already a popular book among younger audiences due to its prevalence in schools, you may want to give To Kill a Mockingbird a second chance if you found it boring the first time around. Themes of racism, segregation, poverty, crime, and other social issues are told through the perspective of a 6-year-old living in 1930s Alabama. What more could you possibly want from a novel if you’re trying to prove to your parents that you’re a well-rounded, informed young adult? The greatest part about To Kill a Mockingbird is that it was published in 1960, so many of our parents and grandparents would’ve read it when it first came out, making it easier for your family members to understand what you are talking about, and resulting in some great bonding spent discussing the book and its themes.

This article appeared in the jingkids 2021 July-August issue

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