Reading is what a lot of PV students do during their free time. It has many benefits like mental stimulation, stress reduction, knowledge, vocabulary expansion, and memory improvement. Making meaning of print is a hobby many students enjoy.
With Pleasant Valley’s large varieties of books, including science fiction, satire, drama, action and adventure, romance, mystery, and horror, many students check out books weekly to read and enjoy during their free time.
The Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold is senior Rachel Hunt’s favorite book. It is the story of a teenage girl who, after being raped and murdered, watches from her personal Heaven as her family and friends struggle to move on with their lives while she comes to terms with her own death. The novel received much critical praise and became an instant bestseller. “I’ve never read anything with so much emotion in it before,” said Rachel.
Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand is senior Caroline Sharis’s favorite book. Unbroken is a biography of World War II hero Louis Zamperini, a former Olympic track star who survived a plane crash in the Pacific theater, spent 47 days drifting on a raft, and then survived more than two and a half years as a prisoner of war in three brutal Japanese prisoner-of-war camps. Caroline claims that, “It’s an incredibly powerful book about the resilience of a man who was captured by the Japanese in World War II. It’s beautifully written and just very inspiring to me.”
Harry Potter is pretty popular around Pleasant Valley students. Both seniors Tommy Sun and Callum Revell half favorite books from the Harry Potter series.
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince is Tommy Sun’s favorite book. It’s the sixth and penultimate novel in the Harry Potter series. The novel explores the past of Harry’s nemesis, Lord Voldemort, and Harry’s preparations for the final battle against Voldemort alongside his headmaster and mentor Albus Dumbledore. “I like it because the plot isn’t boring and it’s filled with action that keeps the story going. I would really encourage people to read it,” Tommy Sun.
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows by J. K. Rowling is Callum’s favorite books of all time. It’s the seventh and final novel of the Harry Potter series. The final series is the final confrontation between the wizards Harry Potter and Lord Voldemort, as well as revealing the previously concealed back story of several main characters. Callum said the reason he enjoys reading it is because , “It’s my favorite book because it keeps you hook. There is a lot of action that occurs in it that’s very entertaining to read.”
Pleasant Valley gives most students SSR time 15 minutes everyday. The library welcomes students to check out books throughout the school day. Each book must be either returned in 2 weeks or time extended. Stop by the library when you can!
