【書籍介紹】 書名／Fahrenheit 451 推薦者／瑞祥高中‧楊〇穎 內容簡介：

“451 degrees Fahrenheit: the temperature at which book-paper catches fire and burns”. The protagonist of the story, Guy Montag, works as a ‘fireman’ with only one duty: to burn all paper books. The society he lives in considers books as illegal as drugs because they make people think, realise, and question. Instead, the government encourages civilians to consume alternative forms of entertainment such as wall television shows and radio programmes in seashell shaped earbuds. Montag’s life came to a twist when he met a girl next door named Clarisse McClellan. Her curiosity and enthusiasm to ask questions led him to observe the little things in life such as nature and human connection. It moreover made him reconsider his role in the world. Montag started to question the life he lives in and stole books from the houses he was sent to burn. He later on went to visit Professor Faber, an old man he once met at a park. Faber told Montag that books weren’t what he was looking for, but the things that were inside the books: first, the quality of information, then, it’s the leisure time to digest the context in the books, and lastly, the right to act according to one’s own thoughts. Faber then guided Montag to start a rebellion against the current society. He also gave a ‘green bullet’ earbud to Montag so that they could keep in contact. This ended up in a conflict with the captain of the fire department. The captain, Beatty, had already found out what Montag was up to and sent him to clear up the mess himself with a hose of fire. Beatty also found the earbud that Montag was wearing, confiscated it, and threatened him that he would track the source of the bud. Montag then got defensive and drowned the captain in a sea of flames. The earbud was burnt, cutting off the connection between him and Faber. Being convicted as a murder, Montag made a run and visited Faber for the last time. Faber told him to cover up his scent with water, alcohol, and old unwashed clothing to stay anonymous from the mechanical hound that’s used to chase him down. Montag escaped from the city, and went to the countryside where he found a group of intellectuals who were once professors and book-writers. The scholars had memorised the context of books, waiting for the knowledge to come useful in the world again. The story ended with a nuclear bomb destroying the city, leaving the current society collapsed, and a room for recivilization for the living intellectuals The novel by Ray Bradbury not only implies the dangers of censorship and thought control, but also points out the impact of modern technology bleaching our minds and suppressing critical thinking. Furthermore, it reveals the potential power of books and knowledge and how it can change one’s life.

【書籍介紹】 書名／Saving Henry 推薦者／瑞祥高中‧伍〇蓁 內容簡介：

"Saving Henry," narrated by Laurie Strongin, recounts the tale of a vibrant and courageous young boy named Henry. The journey is told from his mother’s perspective, filling the pages with hope, love, and deep sorrow. Henry was born with a low birth weight, an extra thumb, and a rare, life-threatening genetic disorder called Fanconi anemia. This disorder leads to various heart problems and cancers, ultimately resulting in bone marrow failure or death. Despite receiving excellent prenatal care, there was no way to prevent Fanconi anemia. Since Henry was diagnosed, Laurie and her husband Allen have been struggling to help their son. The battle was exceptionally challenging as they explored every possible option to find treatments that might save Henry from his tragic fate. When they discovered a new process called PGD (preimplantation genetic diagnosis), they decided to use this scientific advance to create a disease-free sibling who could potentially donate stem cells to Henry. This decision drew significant media attention and sparked ethical and policy debates. The topic was highly controversial at the time and continued to be so in the following years. Laurie and Allen decided to go forward with the process and had another baby, Jack. Unfortunately, he was not a suitable match for the transplant. Eventually, Henry underwent a transplant using an organ from another donor. Despite knowing that Henry’s chances of survival were slim, Laurie and Allen continued to hope. Henry was an extraordinary child, full of energy and a love for life. He adored Batman and loved school, eagerly jumping out of bed each morning to see what the day would bring. He made many friends and fell in love with a girl named Bella. However, as time went on, Henry's health began to deteriorate. Laurie and Allen faced several setbacks when trying to save Henry, eventually having to come to terms with the reality of his illness. Despite the relentless progression of his disease, Henry remained emotionally strong and resilient. His wide smile and joyful spirit were unforgettable. Tragically, Henry succumbed to his illness, his heart finally giving out. Even in death, Henry’s life taught us to cherish every moment, to love deeply, to laugh often, and to embrace the possibilities around us. Laurie became a passionate advocate for stem cell research, dedicating her efforts to bringing attention to Henry's story in the hopes of saving other lives. "Saving Henry" is a story of love, hope, and the impact of scientific advancements. Henry remains in the hearts of all who knew him.

【書籍介紹】 書名／From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler 推薦者／高雄中學‧黃〇哲 內容簡介：

From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler This book is one of the classic adventure novels in history, and the story is different from most adventure novels, where the scene might have taken place a dangerous place, or some villains might have appeared. It was just about an ordinary girl's unusual experience. The outline of the story revolves around a girl, Claudia, who was bored with her boring life for a long time, so she decided to plan a special long trip to the museum with her brother, Jamie, who was very pure and rich. During the trip to the museum they met a lady, Mrs Basil E. Frankweiler, who had just sold the statue called Angel, so they decided to find out the secret behind it. They also encountered some problems during the trip, such as laundry, aplace to sleep, they didn't even have enough money to buy water. Finally, they set themselves the goal of learning something new every day. After enjoying this satisfying and fantastic novel, the part of the story that impressed me the most was the main character, Claudia. What she did and thought in the story showed her powerful and talented abilities, as well as her thoughtful and cogent considerations, and it makes me relate to myself. I begin to think that if I were faced with the same situations or emergency problems as in the story, I might easily give up and just hide away somewhere. I hoped that I could be as strong as Claudia and decide to change my negative habits just like she did. There is also a very important lesson that the author wants to teach us, which is that we must insist on the faith that we have. We can't give up on our dreams just because they are difficult to achieve.All we have to do is try our best to fulfill the dreams we have been longing for, even the ten year old teenager can do it, as a senior high school student we don't have any excuse ot duck out when we encounter some difficulties. It is just a simple story that happened to an ordinary girl, but the hints and behind the story are very meaningful to me and teach me a lot. There is another special reason why I chose this book as my topic: Writing skills. Throughout the story, the author used a lot of magnificent words and rhetoric, which made the content more vivid, as if we were the main character in the story. For example, when they tried to hide in the museum, I could even feel Claudia and Jamie's fear and nervousness thanks ot the author's incredible description. Not only can we enjoy this book, but we can also learn lots of fantastic phrases and use them in essays.

【書籍介紹】 書名／Rabbit-Proof Fence 推薦者／高雄高工‧孫〇涵 內容簡介：

In the story, there were three aboriginal girls from Jigalong. They were Molly, Gracie and Daisy. All of them were half-caste because their mothers were aboriginal and their fathers were white people. At the time, the government had a policy of removing children from their aboriginal parents, so they were taken by force to a camp called the Moore River Native Settlement. However, the girls did not fit in and missed their families. Therefore, they secretly made a plan: on a rainy day, they ran away from the settlement, so the rain would wash away their steps so that the tracker would not be able to follow them. The girls tried their best to avoid being caught. First, they made a living by eating some bread from the settlement and drinking rain water. A few days later, they started hunting animals, asking for food, sleeping in the hole, and also encountering some hunters who shared food with them. They survived because of people’s kindness. However, Gracie couldn’t hold on. She fell into the trap the Chief Protector of Aborigines set and left the team to find her mom. Sadly, Gracie was taken back to the settlement. Finally, Molly and Daisy arrived home successfully. After that, all the family moved to another place that the police couldn’t find. After reading this story, I can’t believe that these girls who were under fifteen years old were so brave. They traveled by themselves, and made use of their knowledge of nature to avoid the tracker and the policemen. What’s more, they also used their sense of direction and knowledge of the wild to find their way home. I admire the oldest sister, Molly, most because she did so many things that I could never imagine, and I am respectful of her courage. I also think that the government had no right to remove those children away from their mothers. The authority should respect different races and different cultures, and I find it very brutal to separate those half-caste children from their families. I would be very sad and lose hope if the same thing happened to me. To me, this true story was not only touching but also inspiring. I hope I can be as brave and wise as Molly if I ever encounter any difficulty in the future.

【書籍介紹】 書名／Boy at the Back of the Class 推薦者／道明中學‧藍〇恩 內容簡介：

The Boy At the Back of the Class The Boy At the Back of the Class written by Onjali Q. Rauf is about a nine-year-old named Alexa and her three classmates who felt pity for their refugee friend and classmate, Ahmet. The main characters in this story are Alexa, Ahmet, Josie, Tom, and Michael. Ahmet fled Syria because of war, having sailed overseas to reach London, England. Alexa and her friends first saw Ahmet going to school with no backpack and nothing to eat. He was constantly bullied and made fun of until Alexa and her friends decided to step in. They quickly discovered he was amazing at soccer and was very athletic. His kind personality was never affected by the ones who bullied him, which made Alexa and her friends like him very much.  As the four friends get to know Ahmet more and more, they discover he was separated from his parents when he fled to England. All of them were deeply troubled by this, and especially Alexa could feel his pain. Having lost her father at a young age, she could relate to him and his struggles. She was determined to help him reunite with his parents. But as 9-year-olds, there was not much they could do to help. Then they came up with a genius plan to meet the Queen of England and help locate his parents. They skipped school and took buses, metros, and taxis to get to the palace. Although they never reached the queen, the Queen’s guards handed their gifts and letters to the Queen personally.  Their courageous act caused a stir around the world, and they even got a reply from the Queen, inviting them for afternoon tea. During Alexa’s birthday party, Ahmet received some good news. Her birthday was a complete surprise, but the best gift was not for her. It was for her best friend, Ahmet. With the help of the whole world, they successfully found Ahmet’s parents and they were on the way to England. This story heavily emphasizes the significance of friendship and kindness in an unpredictable world. Alexa’s kind and courageous act helped Ahmet reunite with his parents to start a new and safe life. With cheerful humor and emotional impact, The Boy at the Back of the Class offers a child’s perspective on a heart-breaking real-world crisis, showcasing how important friendship and kindness are in a world filled with uncertainty and sadness. 

【書籍介紹】 書名／The Great Gatsby 推薦者／道明中學‧徐〇豔 內容簡介：

The Great Gatsby is a 1925 novel written by the renowned American novelist Francis Scott Fitzgerald. The novel is set in New York’s Long Island during the Jazz Age, capturing this peculiar era’s desires and losses. The novel recounts the tragic tale of a self-made millionaire, Jay Gatsby, and his doomed love affair with a charming young woman called Daisy Buchanan. As a successful man, Gatsby seems to possess everything people dream of–fame, wealth, and spectacular life full of parties. However, deep inside his heart, he is a hollow man without aims and true love. It is until Gatsby remeets his old lover, Daisy, that his life undergoes a dramatic transformation. Married to the affluent but reckless Tom Buchanan, Daisy leads a much-envied luxurious life belonging to the upper-class. When the two old lovers reunite, they rekindle their romance. This relationship helps Gatsby discover the true meanings of life, but unfortunately, his happiness does not sustain for a long time. Soon, Tom detects the love affair between his wife and Gatsby, and driven by his jealousy, he confronts Gatsby to reveal the latter’s secret–the millionaire’s success is an illusion since Gatsby has accumulated his wealth by selling illegal alcohol. Tom further exercises his revenge on Gatsby by fabricating a lie to accuse Gatsby as the murderer of Myrtle, who is actually accidentally killed by a car driven by Daisy. Finally, Myrtle’s husband goes to Gatsby's mansion to shoot the millionaire to death, therefore ending the meteoric life of this ill-fated man. The Great Gatsby exposes the dangers of a society that excessively pursues superficial reputation and lavish life. In the fictional world created by Fitzgerald, the characters judge others based on their fame and wealth: those owning them will earn high social respect while those lacking them will suffer from discrimination. Gatsby represents the American Dream by showing it to be both glamorous and illusionary. He uses dishonest means to acquire his wealth because he views it as the solution to all of his problems. As a result, he engages in criminal activities and as such undergoes negative change that leaves him hollow and disconnected from his past. Even though he manages to enter the upper-class of society, his life remains a void and failure. This is demonstrated by the fact that after his death, none of his friends– even his lover Daisy–attends his funeral. The novel’s ending suggests the indifference and selfishness of a society obsessed with materialism.

【書籍介紹】 書名／The Little Prince 推薦者／道明中學(高中部)‧洪〇泰 內容簡介：

Written by Antoine de Saint-Exupery, The Little Prince tells the story of the little prince’s journey to seven other planets and his encounters with different people in possession of distinctive characters and obsessions. Born in 1900, Antoine de Saint-Exupery is a French writer, journalist and aviator. He is world-famous for The Little Prince, which makes him highly praised as a thinker and humanist. However, he dies in a plane crash at the age of 44 in 1944, one year after the novel is first published. Translated into over 500 languages, The Little Prince is characterized by philosophical themes, poetic dialogues and thought-provoking messages and is thus globally recognized as an ageless masterpiece of children’s literature. The novel starts with a vivid description of an unnamed pilot’s reflections. In his childhood, the pilot is inspired by a book called True Stories from Nature, in which a picture of a boa constrictor swallowing an animal impresses him so much that he makes great endeavors to draw one of his own. However, much to his depression, he receives no praises but criticisms from the grownups. They misinterpret the elephant as a big hat. The pilot is relentlessly ridiculed as a failure; worst of all, he is advised to devote himself not to drawing but to such academic pursuits as geography, history, arithmetic and grammar. Many years later, the pilot’s plane crashes in the Sahara desert, where he encounters the little prince from asteroid B-612. The little prince asks the pilot to draw a sheep. Instead of a sheep, the pilot draws an empty box. The little prince is happy with it and reveals to the pilot bit by bit his marvelous encounters during his journey to seven other planets. Among them, his encounters with the rose and the fox are of the gretest significance. The little Prince has a crush on the rose growing in his homeland; as a result, he spends a great deal of time taking care of her and even thinks that the rose is the only one in all the universe. Nevertheless, he finally finds five thousand of roses in one single garden on Earth, each of which bears striking resemblance to the rose. The moment the little prince feels that he is cheated by the rose, the fox appears. The fox is apparently a symbol of wisdom. He passes on to the little prince the idea of “tame”, which means to establish ties by remaining patient, silent and keeping rite. Therefore, all the little prince should do now, the fox advises, is to gaze at the corner of one’s eye and say nothing at all. Once the ties are built, the fox asserts that the little prince’s whole world will become totally different and amazingly wonderful. In conclusion, The Little Prince is actually filled with many dialogues of wisdom imparting readers love, true happiness and all manners of human life. Seemingly simple and childlike as it is, it’s actually a novel of bildungsroman, namely, a novel of education.

【書籍介紹】 書名／Number the Stars 推薦者／復華中學‧蕭〇恩 內容簡介：

Annemarie Johansen is a Danish girl living in Copenhagen with her parents and little sister, Kirsti. Her older sister, Lise, died in an accident three years earlier, but her parents never talk about her death. Lise’s fiancé, Peter, a member of the Danish Resistance, still visits them occasionally, bringing news of the Resistance. Despite the hardships of Nazi occupation, Annemarie’s life remains relatively calm—until the Nazis begin arresting Jews. Annemarie becomes worried for her best friend, Ellen Rosen, who is Jewish. To protect Ellen, Peter helps Mr. and Mrs. Rosen escape, while Annemarie’s family hides Ellen in their home, pretending she is Lise. That night, Nazi soldiers come to their house to search for the Rosens. Ellen narrowly avoids capture, as her dark hair matches Lise’s. Realizing Copenhagen is no longer safe, Annemarie’s mother decides to take the girls to stay with her brother, Uncle Henrik, a fisherman who lives by the sea. At Uncle Henrik’s home, Annemarie is told that their Great-aunt Birte has died, and her casket will be kept in the house, as is a tradition. Annemarie is sure she has no such relative and confronts her uncle about it. He explains that sometimes it’s safer not to know everything, and Annemarie understands the lie is meant to protect them all. After thinking over Uncle Henrik’s words, Annemarie resolves to keep this truth from Ellen as a way to protect her. On the eve of their escape, several Jewish refugees, including the Rosens, gather at Uncle Henrik’s home under Peter’s arrangement. However, Nazi soldiers arrive and question the group, even threatening to open the casket. Annemarie’s mother quickly devises a cover story, and the soldiers leave without discovering the truth. When all the refugees are ready to leave, Annemarie says a heartfelt goodbye to Ellen. She promises to return Ellen’s Star of David necklace once the war is over. After helping the Jewish families reach the harbor, Annemarie’s mother is injured on her way back. Worse yet, the group forgot an important packet Peter had given to Mrs. Rosen. Annemarie has no choice but to deliver the packet to them herself. Her mother advises her to act like a silly girl bringing lunch to her uncle to avoid suspicion. As Annemarie hurries through the dark forest, she comforts herself by thinking of the story of Little Red Riding Hood. Unfortunately, the "wolves"—Nazi soldiers—show up, search her basket, and question her. Terrified, Annemarie behaves like an innocent, confused girl, just as her mother instructed. Not finding anything, the soldiers let her go, and she delivers the packet successfully. Two years later, the war ends. Although Annemarie hasn’t seen Ellen since then, she learns that the Rosens reached Sweden safely. She also discovers the truth of Lise’s death—she died during a Resistance mission. Sadly, Peter was captured and executed by the Nazis later. Reflecting on their bravery, Annemarie realizes that she, too, showed courage by risking her life to protect her friend.

【書籍介紹】 書名／Charlie and the Chocolate Factory 推薦者／瑞祥高中‧李〇同 內容簡介：

"Charlie and the Chocolate Factory" is a novel that was written by British author Roald Dahl. It’s about a boy who finds a golden ticket and owns a chocolate factory at the end. The main character, Charlie Bucket, lives with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Bucket, and his grandparents in a small wooden house on the edge of a town. Mr. Bucket works at a toothpaste factory, struggling to support the family. Grandpa Joe describes Wonka as an extraordinary chocolate manufacturer. After dismissing his employees due to jealousy and spy, Mr. Wonka closed the factory and disappeared, but it continued to operate. A few years later, he decided to invite five children to visit his factory by hiding golden tickets in his chocolate bars. The first ticket finder was Augustus Gloop, a greedy boy. The second was Veruca Salt, a spoiled rich girl. The third was Violet Beauregarde, who chews gum frequently. The fourth was Mike Teavee, a boy infatuated with television. The last was Charlie. When the children visited the factory, they first went to the chocolate river. Augustus tried to drink from the chocolate river and fell in, getting sucked into a pipe. Then, in the gum room, Violet stole Wonka’s magic gum, which turned her skin blue and made her body swell like a blueberry. Next, they went through the nut room, which had a lot of squirrels. Veruca was attacked by the squirrels and treated like a broken nut. After that, they entered the television-chocolate room. Mike didn’t believe in Mr. Wonka's invention, which made him turn into a paper man. Charlie became the last person left at the end. In my opinion,the generation of 21st-century children has some terrible habits just like the four children in the book. Children are too free and uninhibited to do what they want, and even ignore regulations. This lead to many social issues. They act without thinking too much, resulting in unimaginable consequences. Moreover, children like to compare themselves with each other, including their parents. Jealousy and competition make them unable to bear losing;this mindset makes them believe that winning is the only way to show their strength. When they want something, they will unscrupulously to get it, this cause the parents to spoil them to avoid seeing their children disappointed. Technology develops too rapidly and the abundance of technological products has contribute to many children got a cellphone additions. Children spend too much time to focus on electronic devices,which breaks families, friendship and schoolwork. So why not let go of the desire to win or lose, avoid comparisons, and stop spoiling our children? Keeping friendly relationships, just like Charlie, could make the world better than now.

【書籍介紹】 書名／All Quiet on the Western Front 西線無戰事 推薦者／高雄市新興高中‧劉〇睿 內容簡介：

First published in November 1928 in the German newspaper, *“All Quiet on the Western Front”* is a story with a strong sense of anti-war, set in Germany during World War I. The story was narrated by Erich Maria Remarque in a first-person narrative. This story is not just a simple war story; it also shows us the cruelty of war. The government at that time trumpeted to the young people that going to the battlefield was the glory of the motherland, but in fact, the soldiers lost their lives one by one in an extremely harsh environment. Paul was born in a Catholic worker family in Osnabrück, Germany. At the age of 18, he joined the army with his friends because of the encouragement of school teachers and friends. After joining the army, Paul and his friends immediately began a series of recruit training sessions. After ten weeks of rigorous training, they were sent to the front line to fight against the French army. The dirty environment of war, infectious diseases, and the threat of death made them wake up from their original beautiful fantasies. The first time Paul went to the battlefield, he experienced fierce artillery fire and close combat, and he also witnessed his comrades losing their lives one by one, which made him feel increasingly numb. During the war, Paul gradually learned how to survive in this extreme environment. Hunger, cold, illness, and facing death became common. Of course, it was impossible to stay on the front line all the time. Paul and his friends were sometimes transferred to the rear for a short rest, where they temporarily escaped the pressure of the war with food and entertainment. In a subsequent battle, Paul was injured by a cannonball, and his hands and feet were seriously injured, so he had to leave the front line temporarily and go to the hospital for treatment. He also got a chance to return home on vacation because of his injury. After returning home, the atmosphere was very heavy because his mother was seriously ill. His father took him everywhere to show him off to his friends, and he also found that teachers in the government and school were still encouraging people to go to the battlefield in the same way, which made Paul very angry. After returning to his hometown, Paul felt that he was isolated from society and could no longer return to his normal life. He felt that he no longer belonged there. His heart was full of loneliness and confusion. After experiencing the cruelty of war, he felt lost about the future and could not see the end of the war or the direction of his life. After a short vacation, Paul returned to the front line, where he continued to see the deaths of his friends, which made him feel extremely lonely and desperate. During the war, he also met the officer Himmelstoss, who had trained them strictly. Himmelstoss had also been transferred to the front line, and his performance there was completely different from when he was training them. The officer looked helpless and frightened, which made Paul more disgusted with the military system. In a fierce battle, Paul hid in a trench and met a French soldier face-to-face. In self-defense, he stabbed the other man to death, but the soldier did not die immediately. He struggled for a while before he died. This close-range killing had a great impact on Paul's psyche, causing him to feel deeply guilty and pained. Paul and the soldier spent a long time together, during which Paul began to reflect on the meaning of the war and his actions. He went through the soldier's documents and discovered that he had killed not just an enemy, but a man with a family. He vowed that if he survived, he would write to the soldier's family to express his remorse. After this incident, Paul continued to fight on the front lines. As the war neared its end, the German military strength gradually weakened, and the battlefield remained filled with threats and death. During a reconnaissance mission, Paul was attacked by an enemy sniper and was unfortunately shot and killed. Paul's death was described relatively simply, suggesting that death was a relief for him. The story ends with the simple line, "Im Westen sei nichts Neues zu melden." This seemingly simple statement expresses the insignificance of life in war and reflects its brutality. This story realistically depicts the harsh realities of war, showing that it destroys not only soldiers' lives but also their spirits. Soldiers killed each other for unclear goals, prompting readers to think about the pain, destruction, and meaning of war. The novel reveals the absurdity of war, making readers deeply feel its cruelty and futility. This book is not only a literary classic but also a powerful anti-war declaration, reminding us to cherish peace and value our current lives.

【書籍介紹】 書名／The Perks of Being a Wallflower 推薦者／瑞祥高中‧戴〇涒 內容簡介：

{The perks of being a wallflower} a novel talking about Charlie who is an introverted high school student with psychological issues facing multiple challenges such as friendship,love&his symptoms. As for his friendship, I realize that he often tries to cater to others in his quest for connection. In the book, during a conversation with Ema at the restaurant, they had just been discussing a band. Suddenly Ema said “What about Eids(a record store), you love Eids, right？” He casually remarked, “Yeah of course. They are great." blissfully unaware that Ema was referring to a record store instead. That 's quite embarrassing for everyone, especially for someone like him. There's another chapter that impresses me a lot is the romantic connection between him and Elizabeth. In fact, it isn’t true. The truth is that love between them “ was not mutual ”. Charlie's true love wasn't Elizabeth, but Ema. This fact comes to light during a gathering of friends when they were playing truth or dare. Patrick boldly declared, " I dare you to kiss the prettiest girl on the lips in the room. " In a surprising turn of events, Charlie kissed Ema instead of his girlfriend, Elizabeth,This action was perceived as disrespectful. Following this moment, Elizabeth realized that they had differing perspectives on their relationship. This instance not only exposed Charlie's inner conflict but also left Elizabeth feeling overlooked and hurt. It 's just her wishful thinking. In my opinion, as a newcomer to senior high school like Charlie, I can truly empathize with him that he agreed with Ema’s speech just to feel that he belonged somewhere. I used to be the same kind of people like him. I often afraid that words I speak aren’t welcome by some circle I want to squeeze into or act like a stupid clown just to feel belong somewhere in some situation. This kind of thinking style is actually very pathological and full of weakness that can easily hurt myself painfully. The experience of stepping into the world of adulthood as young individuals. This transition can be daunting, filled with uncertainties and challenges. I resonate with Charlie's feelings of isolation and his quest for connection, as we navigate this complex journey together. Joining a completely new environment, meeting new people is never an easy matter. Neither for out coming people. Ultimately, nothing in life comes easy. Each challenge we face is a reminder that growth often requires effort and perseverance. We should never allow ourselves to become stagnant; instead, we must continually push forward, embracing the journey ahead. Life is a vast adventure filled with twists and turns, and it’s up to us to navigate it with courage and determination. Every step we take is an opportunity to learn and evolve. While the path may sometimes feel overwhelming, it is essential to remember that we are not alone in our struggles. Each experience, whether good or bad, shapes who we are and prepares us for what lies ahead. By embracing the journey, we discover our strengths and resilience. In the end, it is our willingness to face challenges head-on that leads to personal growth and fulfillment, transforming our journey into a beautiful tapestry of experiences and memories. I really like this word “There will be miracle when you believe”.I always have this sentence with me when I experience difficult challenges or gap that block me on my way to my direction.

【書籍介紹】 書名／Wonder 推薦者／高雄市立海青工商‧尤〇蕾 內容簡介：

Wonder is a children's novel, written by R. J. Palacio. It deals with a handicapped boy who is faced with challenges at school life. The main character Auggie was a ten-year-old boy born with a deformed face and underwent numerous surgeries in order to adjust himself to the world. Living with his parents, Via, his older sister, and his dog, Daisy, he was homeschooled by his mom until his parents thought he should go to school for education. Therefore, Auggie’s parents enrolled him in a private school, Beecher Prep, where he faced challenges. The story begins with Auggies’ life at a new school. Getting to adapt to and socialize with unfamiliar people took courage and raised anxiety, Auggie was nervous with how his peers would react to his appearance. Despite his fears, Auggies’ mother encouraged him to brave the new challenges and conquer them. As Auggies entered Beecher Prep the first day, walking through the hallway caused an enormous pressure on him. Evidently, there had been a rumor spreading, warning not to touch or stay close to Auggie. Fortunately, during lunch break, he became friends with Jack and Summer, since they chose to sit next to Auggie. Things got twisted as the days at school moved forward. On the day of Halloween, one of Auggie's favorite holidays of the year, he overheard “Jack”, his best friend, gossiping about he would kill himself if looking like Auggie. The story switches to Auggie’s older sister, Via. She sometimes felt left out because her parents always paid special attention to her brother. Despite that, she still accompanied and responsibly protected her brother. On Halloween, Via was confused why her brother came home so early. So, they had a short talk together. Augie explained the hurt words he overheard from Jack. A turn presented itself. Jack apologized to Auggie for his hurtful words and Auggie forgave him because he believed being kind was the best policy. Then came the next big event of the three-day school journey, which took place at a nature reserve. It was going well until the second night when they were watching a movie out in the woods. Jack and Auggie went out for a bathroom break and coincidentally encountered some older kids from another school, who made fun of Auggie's face and tried to harm him. Unexpectedly, some of the unruly kids from Beecher Prep came for help. After the experience Auggie became highly popular in school. During the graduation, Auggie even earned a special award of courage and kindness. In conclusion, the book “Wonder” portrays Auggies’ growth in the face of special events. He opened up and accepted his imperfection. Just like Auggies’ teacher Mr. Browne said: “When given the choice of being right or being kind, choose kind.” The sentence teaches and impresses me. I learn that we should accept imperfect part of our life and always opt for kindness to face people around us, because it is the attitude that makes us better people.

【書籍介紹】 書名／holes 推薦者／中正高工‧陳〇瑜 內容簡介：

Digging for Surprises, Digging for Self: An Unexpected Adventure Do you believe in fate? A hapless boy, due to a pair of sneakers, got entangled in a thrilling adventure. Stanley Yelnats, a boy who had taken on the family's curse, was wrongly accused of theft and sent to the desolate Camp Green Lake. In this juvenile detention center, the boys were forced to dig holes in a dry lake bed under the scorching sun every day as punishment. However, the true purpose of these holes was far more sinister. Behind Camp Green Lake lurked a huge conspiracy. What was this conspiracy? And could they successfully escape this grueling place? As Stanley and his campmates dug deeper, they discovered they were not merely digging holes, but unearthing historical truths. An ancestral curse, a lost treasure, and a mysterious outlaw—these seemingly unrelated elements intertwined to form a complex and intricate web that keeps readers guessing throughout and making for endless enjoyment. Moreover, this web cleverly connects the past, present, and future, allowing readers to feel the flow of time and the cycle of life as they unravel the mystery. What captivated me most about this book was not only its fast-paced, gripping plot, but also the characters' growth and transformation. In Camp Green Lake, Stanley learned how to stay out of trouble and navigated in a complex relationship. He evolved from a timid and self-doubting boy into a brave and tough young man. His friendship with Zero was undoubtedly the most heartwarming aspect of the book. They supported each other and faced their challenges together, especially their ordeal of getting lost in the desert not only tested their physical endurance but also the strength of their friendship. “Holes” is more than just an adventure novel; it delves into profound themes such as fate, justice, and the duality of human nature. The Yelnats family was cursed due to their ancestors' misdeeds, and Stanley, though resentful, diligently dug holes. Ironically, this seemingly futile task led him to forge strong friendship and discover unexpected wealth. In contrast, the Warden, in her haste to destroy evidence and evade responsibility, set herself up for a potential downfall. The author skillfully weaves these themes into the narrative, allowing readers to not only enjoy the thrill of the adventure but also to contemplate life on a deeper level. This book has taught me that everyone has unlimited potential, just like Stanley. Ultimately, we are the architects of our own destiny. If you enjoy suspenseful plots, distinctive characters, and touching stories, then “Holes” is an absolute must-read. Turn the pages and join Stanley and Zero as they delve into the mysterious Camp Green Lake, uncovering one mystery after another with each shovelful of dirt. Experience the joy of growth and gain a deeper understanding of life.

【書籍介紹】 書名／The Five People You Meet in Heaven 推薦者／福誠高中‧千〇校 內容簡介：

The Five People You Meet In Heaven, a heartwarming novel by Mitch Albom, invites readers on a life-changing journey that analyzes the interconnectedness of lives and the powerful impact one person can have on another. The story talks about Eddie, a maintenance man working at an amusement park whose life feels meaningless and dull. In his 83rd year on Earth, a tragic accident leads him to heaven, where he encounters five people who significantly influenced his life before death—some known to him, others not. He meets these people one by one, each conversation allowing him to untangle the confusion he had in his time on Earth, understand the lessons he could not grasp during his lifetime, unravel the mysteries of his past, understand the purpose of his life, and help him finally find peace in his mind and heart. These five individuals reveal essential truths and lessons about love, sacrifice, forgiveness, fairness, loyalty, and the meaning of life. This novel pushes readers to question our lives, allowing us to reflect on our past actions, how we influenced others, and how others shaped our lives. We are inspired to treasure the lives of our loved ones, ours, and those who are not necessarily a part of us. Through the life of Eddie, the author reminds us that even in the depths of pain and depression of life, there is still beauty and purpose found in our connected humanity. With multiple inspirational and relatable lines that make it memorable and unique, it helps readers discover how much connection human lives have with each other, explore the beauty of life and death, and appreciate the moments we often take for granted.

【書籍介紹】 書名／Fourth Wing 推薦者／道明中學‧林〇愛 內容簡介：

“A dragon without its rider is a tragedy. A rider without their dragon is dead.” The quotation from the fantasy novel “Fourth Wing” by Rebecca Yarros captured my attention to salvage my crave for a novel with intricate world-building. “Fourth Wing” has skyrocketed in my ranking of books for a tremendous number of reasons. To only mention a few, through the use of situational irony and juxtaposition, Yarros explored the themes of resilience and power. Violet, the protagonist, is forced into a dragon academy training adolescents to become dragon riders. Having been trained to become a scribe all her life, “Fourth Wing” follows her perspective as she struggles to overcome the challenges bestowed upon her. The cadets’ main goal is to bond and train with a dragon while, needless to say, avoiding death. Throughout this storyline, Yarros incorporated literary devices that captured my heart hook, line, and sinker. A heavily-stressed theme of “Fourth Wing” is Violet’s resilience despite being viewed as “the weakling.” The theme was conveyed through the use of juxtaposition, where Violet was more than once described as fragile, yet she was also the wisest and had the mentality of titanium. To further enunciate that the brain overpowers raw strength, Yarros utilized situational irony. The story started with everyone around Violet focusing on her petite and quaint size, implying that she wouldn’t be able to survive the menacing academy of dragons. Despite that, Violet stunned them all when she bonded two of the strongest dragons because they chose her for her tenacious personality and intelligence. “Fourth Wing” was beyond my expectations; I was addicted to the world of dragons Yarros had created. It was a drug in my system, reminding me every day of how resilient Violet is after having been through so much. The novel snapped me out of self-doubt. It made me believe that though everyone has their weaknesses, they also have their strengths and vice versa. Just because one appears strong on the outside, one might be crumbling on the inside. I didn’t normally reach for fantasy novels when choosing what to read next because the constant world-building in them would take a toll on my relaxation mood. Nonetheless, “Fourth Wing” had faultless structures and pacing. It is an exceptional choice for dipping your toes in the fantasy world of books. Once you’re caught by the hook like a fish, you’ll want to reread the book; that’s when you’ll discover the endless foreshadowing and details the author planted as Easter eggs.

【書籍介紹】 書名／A Monster Calls 推薦者／小港高中‧陳〇妤 內容簡介：

Embracing pain, death, loss, grief, and isolation is tremendously overwhelming for an adult, let alone a teenager with a shattered family, carrying burdens through the unforgiving darkness. In “A Monster Calls,” Patrick Ness illustrates a teenage boy, Conor, who encounters ordeals and dilemmas that force him to mature earlier than the boys around his age. The story immediately captivates readers by immersing them in one of Conor's nightmares, where his mother slips away from his grasp and falls into an abyss. This nightmare calls upon the Yew tree monster, a symbol of healing and death, which always comes walking at 12:07. While the novel emphasizes that only Conor can see the monster, this symbolizes his suppressed denial and anger throughout the story. Conor channels his frustration through the monster's support by destroying his grandmother's living room and beating up his bully, desperately to be seen and heard. Conor is confined to continuous denial about his mother's battle against terminal cancer even as the recurring nightmare of her death haunts him. To make matters worse, his emotional isolation deepens further at school, where his bullies pick fights and mock his mother, as well as other pupils including teachers, treat and view him differently after knowing the tragic truth about him. At home, the monster's appearance becomes clear for Conor to confront the truth he is trying to escape from: letting his mother go. Through the 3 tales, the monster tells, Conor begins to understand that life is more complex than it seems and that there is no clear line between good and evil. Simultaneously, these stories subtly reflect the relationships with his divorced father, grandmother, mother, and even his bullies at school revealing Conor's inner struggle about how badly he wants to end the pain of his mother's slow death, but not wish her to go as well. In the end, Conor holds his mother's hand tightly as she takes her last breath away at 12:07 a.m. The novel subtly depicts the unexplained connection between this exact time and the monster's appearance, leaving a huge void for the reader to fill in their imagination. “A Monster Calls” is poignant, heart-shattering, but beautifully written as it portrays a teenage boy who comes to terms with his terminally ill mother while facing challenges both at school and home. As the story nears its conclusion, tears well up in my eyes as I envision Conor clinging tightly to his fragile mother in her hospital bed waiting for the inevitable monotone beep of the machine by her side. I cannot help but imagine myself in Conor's shoes and realize the burdens I must carry. It is impossible to stay strong and resilient in such a circumstance, where your world seems to be tearing apart and your heart is shattering into millions of pieces. Yet, Conor does the impossible. Despite being immersed in great melancholy, he learns to accept the harsh truth, let his mother go, and finally forgive himself.

【書籍介紹】 書名／The Hundred dresses 推薦者／楠梓高中‧董〇晟 內容簡介：

The Hundred Dresses The Hundred Dresses is a story about three girls: Peggy, Maddie, and Wanda. Wanda is a quiet and shy girl who is often teased by her classmates, including Peggy. She claims to own a hundred dresses, but no one believes her, thinking she is lying. Maddie, although she never makes fun of Wanda, does not stand up for her due to fear of losing her friendship with Peggy and becoming a target herself. The story begins with a game called "How many dresses do you have?" and leads to Wanda leaving the school. Before she leaves, a drawing competition takes place, and Wanda surprisingly wins. The winning artwork, called *The Hundred Dresses*, shocks everyone because it proves that Wanda wasn’t lying—she really did have the talent to design a hundred beautiful dresses. Upon learning about Wanda's victory, Peggy and Maddie feel guilty for how they treated her. They decide to make amends by writing to Wanda, congratulating her on her win and apologizing for their behavior. In the end, Wanda forgives them and sends them a special Christmas gift—drawings of beautiful dresses, each one featuring Peggy and Maddie. This gesture shows that Wanda still considers them friends, despite their past behavior. The story portrays the character development of Peggy, who transitions from being mean to feeling remorseful, and Maddie, who grows from being timid to resolving to help others who are bullied. It feels like a story of redemption for both characters. A particularly touching moment is when the teacher gives Peggy and Maddie a letter from Wanda, revealing that the drawings were of them. This realization shows that Wanda harbored no ill feelings and instead saw them as friends. The characters in the story reflect societal issues. Wanda represents those who are bullied, while Maddie represents those who witness bullying but struggle with the courage to intervene. The narrative conveys an anti-bullying message, highlighting the prevalence of bullying not just in schools but also in workplaces, public spaces, and online. The story emphasizes that bullying often leads to serious consequences, such as depression and even suicide. The book’s happy ending contrasts with real-life situations, where bullied individuals rarely experience such resolution. It illustrates that in today’s stressful and sometimes hopeless society, people often take out their frustrations on others, especially those who are vulnerable. Victims of bullying often have no one to support them and must endure the mistreatment silently, as few people step in to help. The story urges the need for effective anti-bullying measures, suggesting that education on this issue should start early, at the kindergarten level, rather than later in high school. The reasoning is that younger children are more impressionable and can be taught the values of kindness and standing up for others, which they are likely to remember and apply throughout their lives. As the saying goes, "The earlier we learn the lesson, the longer we will remember and comply with it."

【書籍介紹】 書名／A Long Walk to Water 推薦者／道明中學‧陳〇儒 內容簡介：

"A Long Walk to Water," written by Linda Sue Park in 2010, is a novel based on a true story about two separate journeys in war-torn Sudan. This book talks about Salva’s journey in 1985 with a young girl, Nya, in 2008. The resilience of the human spirit is strongly presented. Instead of showing harsh realities of war, the author demonstrates the power of hope from the two main characters in the story. It all began in a gunfire in Southern Sudan, and Salva was compelled to flee his home to evade the ongoing war. In his lengthy walk barefoot to another country, Ethiopia, he met a child from named Marial. Marial was the only friend that gave him the power to keep walking. Salva also met his uncle who was the only guy that instilled in him the perseverance to survive the weather with high temperature and low supply of food. “Just reach the next rock,” his uncle encouraged him and kept saying it with Salva’s full name to help him overcome the pain and the starving along the desert walk. After things got better, however, Marial was dead because of the lion and his uncle was murdered by the people from the Nuer tribe right before Salva’s eyes. Salva was now being his own again. This time, beneath his terrible sadness, he felt stronger and eventually reached the refugee camp. Hope and strong will are what this 11-year-old boy inspires me most. As is shown, a walk to water is as long and tough as a walk to home, yet he accomplishes the return journey and gets together with his father after 18 years. It is his hope and determination that play the key role in this impossible task. In his message, 「“It is my father... I overcame the difficult situations of my past because of the hope and perseverance... You will get through the hard thing when you persevere instead of quitting.”」 Another story is about another girl, Nya, in different year. Nya spends her days walking to and from a pond to fetch water. The water she collects is dirty and often makes her family sick. Nevertheless, Nya maintains an optimistic outlook, believing that their life will be changed for the better. At the end, two stories amazingly come together when a man arrives to build a well in the Nuer tribe. I am surprised when reading that Nya’s tribesmen have access to clean water from the well built by Salva, a man from her enemy tribe. Salva’s faith in love and hope again overwhelms me when I recall that Salva’s uncle was shot dead by Nuer tribesmen. Merciless and brutal as the war is, the two protagonists shed light on the positivity of human spirits, inspiring me to face the challenges in my future life.

【書籍介紹】 書名／Charlie and the Chocolate Factory 推薦者／高雄市私立天主教道明高級中學‧趙〇恩 內容簡介：

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory is a popular and classic literature for children. It was first published in the United States of America in 1964 by Alfred A. Knopf, Inc. The famous novel was written in 1964 by British author Roald Dahl, who took on various occupations all at once, such as spy, ace fighter-pilot during wartime, chocolate historian and medical inventor. The writer is known as one of the greatest storytellers for children of the 20th century who brought several imaginary worlds to life through his words. Charlie and the Chocolate Factory revolves around a young boy named Charlie Bucket and his peculiar adventure in Mr. Willy Wonka’s chocolate factory. In the beginning of the tale, Charlie was born into a destitute but happy family. The young boy is known to be a great chocolate lover by his family, so despite living in poverty, the Bucket family had one tradition - gifting Charlie his favorite Wonka candy bar on his birthday every year. One day, just around the time of Charlie’s birthday, the great chocolate maker, Willy Wonka, announced that he had hidden golden tickets in five of his candy bars. It was stated that he would allow those who found the tickets to tour his mysterious and secretive factory. Unfortunately, the chocolate bar given to him as his present didn’t contain a golden invitation. As tickets were discovered, Charlie’s chances of finding one grew slimmer. Luckily, while the boy was on his way back home, he found a dollar by the road, which allowed him to purchase two Wonka bars. In one of those bars, he found the precious fifth golden ticket. Later, Charlie and four other children were shown around the factory by Willy Wonka himself. Throughout the tour, the other children succumbed to temptation which resulted in bizarre consequences, and they were ejected from the premises. In the end, Charlie was the only one that remained. As a result, the boy was declared as the rightful heir to the factory by the chocolatier. I was first introduced to the fantastic world of Charlie and the chocolate factory in elementary school. I vividly remember watching the movie Charlie and the Chocolate Factory that was released in 2005 with my parents. As a child, I was bewildered by the colorful scenes when they were touring Willy Wonka’s chocolate factory. Therefore, after finishing the film, I decided to read the novel for myself. Personally, I would recommend children to read it in their preteens, because even though the book is said to be children’s literature, there are still some meaningful lines like “We are all a great deal luckier than we realize. We usually get what we want - or near enough.” and inspiring quotes such as “You should never, never doubt something that no one is sure of.” which can only be understood when you turn a certain age. Overall, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory is definitely a worthwhile fiction for youths looking for a wild ride.

【書籍介紹】 書名／A Good Girl's Guide to Murder 推薦者／瑞祥高中‧洪〇于 內容簡介：

If you are an avid reader of detective novels, you would probably wish to be one of the famous sidekicks in helping the protagonist crack a case as Dr. Watson to Sherlock Holmes in their search of murderers as the plot gradually unfolds. The upcoming author Holly Jackson’s debut fiction for young adults, A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder, promises not just the satisfaction of a whodunnit story and then some. Five years ago, a missing person’s case turned homicide of a beautiful high school student called Andie Bell took place in a close-knit community. Everyone in town believed it was her boyfriend, Sal Singh, who mercilessly took Andie’s life and then committed suicide out of guilt. Five years later, an A grade student named Pippa Fitz-Amobi, who had an inkling that it was anything but simple, decided to do her final year project on this haunted case, and meanwhile, helped the Singhs clear their name. Pip and Sal’s brother Ravi were the only two souls who believed Sal was innocent and that the real murderer was still at large. Therefore, they decided to collaborate and look into what had actually happened that night. However, as she delved into the details of the case, Pip’s inquisitive nature led her to unearth buried secrets and surprising revelations that challenged everything she thought she knew. Was it just their wishful thinking of Sal having been framed? Regardlessly, Pip listed names as “people of interest” in search of the real murderer. She shockingly discovered that Elliot Wards, her history teacher, sent her threatening notes asking her to stop digging. When confronted with damning evidence, Mr. Wards remorsefully confessed that he did kill Sal, not Andie, planting incriminating evidence on his dead body, hoping his secret love affair with Andie would go away. With Sal’s innocence vindicated, the Sighs finally had peace and long-overdue closure of the unfortunate incident. However, who killed Andie was the very question Pip kept asking herself. Then it dawned on her that Becca, Andie’s sister exhibited an unbelievable look on her face when told Andie was alive. That very look was the last piece to the puzzle. Years ago, Becca’s drink was spiked by Max Hashtings at a party, whom Andie sold drugs to. And Becca was raped that night. When realizing her sister was Max’s supplier, she felt furious confronting Andie. The argument soon got heated where Becca unintentionally pushed Andie, injuring her head, which unfortunately led to her death. What an experience reading A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder! I couldn’t put it down but kept turning the pages as fast as I could. This novel was truly worthwhile for those who love to puzzle out mystery cases. The author’s style of writing, along with her clever choice of words, was well-suited for young adults to engross themselves in their spare time reading. I can’t wait to put on my detective cap and together solve another mystery with Pip in the sequel.

【書籍介紹】 書名／Great Expectations 推薦者／楠梓高中‧余〇棿 內容簡介：

Have you ever dreamed of being powerful and wealthy? What great expectations do you have for your future life? If so, you can consider seeking guidance from "Great Expectations," a meaningful novel published in 1861 by British writer Charles Dickens. This novel uses a unique style to express his views on life and human nature through the ups and downs of the orphan's life. Containing many surprises and twists, the novel illustrates love and consciousness are more important than wealth and fame. Pip, the main character in “Great Expectation” was an orphan. He was raised by his strict sister, Mrs. Joe and her kind husband, Joe Gargeryy. One day, when he visited his parents' graves, Pip met Magwitch, a man dressed like a fugitive. Pip was threatened to steal food and blacksmith tools. Later, when the police hunted the fugitive, Pip felt nervous and frightened. Then Magwitch was arrested, but to Pip’s surprise, Magwitch did not betray him and concealed the fact of his stealing. Soon after, Pip received an invitation to Miss Havisham's mansion. Miss Havisham, a lady abandoned by her groom on her wedding day, suffered pain in her lifetime. There Pip met Estella, Miss Havisham's adopted daughter, and began to have a crush on her even though Estella teased him about his appearance and low status. This was the first time that Pip strongly felt the pressure and gap between social classes. He no longer felt content to be a blacksmith's apprentice. Instead, he aspired to become a gentleman of the upper class to match Estella. This becomes his inner determination. One day, a lawyer, Mr. Jaggers, came to him and told Pip that there was a mysterious benefactor who was willing to sponsor him so that he could go to London to receive an education and become a real gentleman. Pip decided to seize the chance to leave his hometown and go to London to start his new life. Feeling both reluctant and full of fantasy about the future, Pip embarks on the road to pursue a higher social status with the dream of becoming a gentleman. Pip learned gentleman’s etiquette , received a good education and lived a life of the upper class. He made friends with celebrities and tried hard to earn Estella’s heart. Everything seemed to go smoothly. His dream almost came true. However, gradually, he grew to despise his humble origin and relatives, including Joe. This book explains how Pip shifted from dissatisfaction with his origins to expectations for "Great Expectations" and how he mistakenly believed that his benefactor was Miss Havisham, thus deepening his love for Estella and his desire for high society. Eventually he learns that his benefactor is Magwitch, a fugitive who was sentenced to death. Estella turned out to be Magwitch’s missing daughter. Pip expressed his unchanged love for Estella and got married to his first love , Estella. When reading the novel, I experience how hard life can be. I also can feel how brave the main character is in this story. Each twist has a lot of meaning.

【書籍介紹】 書名／Matilda 推薦者／三民高中‧劉〇亞 內容簡介：

The book I am going to introduce is Matilda by Roald Dahl, first published in 1988 in the United Kingdom. This book has been adapted into films several times. The story revolves around a girl named Matilda, who was born in a village in Buckinghamshire. Even from an early age, Matilda is remarkably intelligent. By the time she was one, she could talk, and by age three, she was reading. What’s more amazing is that she finishes reading all the children’s books in the local library and moves on to more complex works of literature. However, Matilda’s family is unfriendly toward her. Her parents and brother often belittle and ignore her. To escape from this, Matilda immerses herself in books and occasionally pulls pranks on her family to vent her frustration. When Matilda turns five, she starts school, where she meets a kind teacher named Miss Honey. Miss Honey recognizes Matilda’s extraordinary abilities and believes she should be placed in a more advanced class. Unfortunately, the school’s headmistress, Miss Trunchbull, is a cruel tyrant who despises children. She forces them to follow unreasonable rules and punishes them harshly when they disobey or make mistakes. Matilda witnesses Miss Trunchbull’s violent and manipulative behavior, designed to frighten the children so much that even their parents don’t believe their stories. One day, after a classmate plays a prank by placing a newt in Miss Trunchbull’s water jug, Miss Trunchbull wrongly accuses Matilda of the act. Furious at the false accusation, Matilda discovers she has telekinetic powers and uses them to tip over the water jug onto Miss Trunchbull. Afterward, Matilda confides in Miss Honey, who reveals that Miss Trunchbull is her abusive aunt. Ever since Miss Honey’s father passed away, Miss Trunchbull has controlled her life, stealing her inheritance and forcing her to live in poverty. Determined to help Miss Honey, Matilda practices using her telekinetic abilities at home. The next day, during one of Miss Trunchbull’s intimidating classroom inspections, Matilda uses her powers to make a piece of chalk write a message on the blackboard, as if from Miss Honey’s deceased father. The message terrifies Miss Trunchbull, causing her to flee the school and return Miss Honey’s rightful inheritance, including her childhood home. After this victory, Matilda’s telekinetic powers disappear, which Miss Honey believes is because Matilda no longer needs them. Soon after, Matilda’s family decides to flee to Spain to avoid arrest due to her father’s illegal activities. Matilda asks to stay with Miss Honey, and her parents, indifferent to her, agree, leaving Matilda behind as they escape. My favorite part of the book is how Matilda courageously stands up against unfair treatment, particularly in defending Miss Honey. Despite the lack of support from her family, Matilda never gives up. She remains focused and uses her intelligence to help others. Though she is aware of her remarkable abilities, she never becomes arrogant, choosing instead to use her gifts to help those in need. This is why I admire her so much.

【書籍介紹】 書名／I Robot 推薦者／高雄復華私立高級中學‧李〇為 內容簡介：

Published in 1950, just a few years after WWII, Isaac Asimov’s book presents an advanced perspective on robots. At that time, computers weighed about 30 tons—roughly the weight of five full-grown elephants. And even with the electricity of a thousand refrigerators, their constant malfunctions can still be more annoying than your ex. This book is highly regarded in robot science literature, especially for its discussion of artificial intelligence ethics. It influenced later science fiction, particularly through its “Three Laws of Robots,” which offer insights into robot behavior. The book contains eight stories, including “Evidence,” where a robot named Byerley attempts to win an election. His humanity is questioned, and to prove himself human, Byerley has another robot disguised as a human electoral official. During a staged act, Byerley punches the disguised robot in the face, leading the public to believe he is human, as robots are programmed to follow the First Law: “A robot must not injure a human being, or allow a human being to come to harm.” In the end, he becomes the first robot city governor. In another story “Liar!” , Asimov explores the consequences when a robot can read minds but cannot reveal the truth due to conflicting laws. Herbie, a mind-reading robot, analyzes people’s emotions. When Dr. Susan Calvin, a scientist, asks Herbie about her crush’s feelings for her, Herbie lies, claiming her crush loves her, in order to follow the Second Law: “A robot must obey orders given by human beings unless they conflict with the First Law.” This lie, meant to spare her feelings, but it leads her to greater disappointment and raises questions about whether robots can truly understand human emotions. In “Runaround,” Powell and Donovan, two scientists, are sent to Mercury to collect a valuable mineral. They send a robot named Speedy for the task, but due to exposure to dangerous gas, Speedy’s behavior becomes erratic. This behavior is driven by the Third Law: “A robot must protect itself as long as such protection does not conflict with the First or Second Laws.” To prioritize the First Law, Powell and Donovan put themselves in danger, compelling Speedy to overcome his self-protective instincts to save them. In the end, the mission is successful, and Speedy returns to normal. Overall, I find this book extremely interesting. There are still other interesting stories in the book.No matter your age,I highly recommend giving it a try.It might inspire new ideas and spark an interest in robots, just as it did for me.

【書籍介紹】 書名／The Fifth Child 推薦者／福誠高中‧伍〇諭 內容簡介：

The Fifth Child explores complex family and societal issues, showing how fragile people can be when faced with something that doesn’t fit into social norms. This novel was written by British author Doris Lessing in 1988; she later won the Nobel Prize in Literature in 2007, at age 87. The story focuses on Harriet and David, a couple with a strong vision of a big, traditional family. However, this dream is disrupted by their fifth child, Ben. Unlike his siblings, Ben is unusually strong, emotionally distant, and shows violent tendencies, which begin to strain the family’s unity. Ben’s differences unsettle everyone around him. His siblings are afraid of him, teachers find him difficult, and classmates avoid him. Even doctors are confused by his behavior and can’t diagnose what makes him so different, leaving Harriet and David feeling increasingly isolated. Overwhelmed and desperate, they eventually confine Ben to a faraway psychiatric institution, hoping to regain some peace. Through Ben’s character, Lessing raises questions about the strict boundaries society places on what is considered “normal” and how institutions often fail those who don’t fit in. Ben’s behavior and his family’s struggle with it reveal that the expectations around family, school, and healthcare may not support or understand people who are different. Harriet, Ben’s mother, especially feels this conflict. She loves Ben but fears the harm he could bring to her other children. Her inner struggle is deeply shown in a scene where she reflects on society’s inability to help Ben: “It would not, could not, be someone in authority, who would then have to take responsibility. No school-teacher, or doctor, or specialist had been able to say, ‘that is what he is’: neither could any policeman, or police doctor, or social worker” (158). Harriet’s struggles reach a dark turning point as she questions whether life would have been easier if Ben hadn’t survived. Her painful thoughts reveal her guilt: “If I had let him die, then all of us, so many people, would have been happy, but I could not do it…” (157). Harriet’s inner conflict, alongside society’s failure to help Ben, highlights the clash between an ideal family and the disturbing realities that can fall outside anyone’s control.

【書籍介紹】 書名／Wonder 推薦者／高雄女中‧黃〇育 內容簡介：

<Wonder> People all around the world have unique appearances, and Auggie is no exception. August, whose nickname is Auggie, is a boy from North Riverside Heights in Lower Manhattan. Auggie was born with congenital facial defects and has undergone twenty-seven surgeries to improve his appearance. He lives with his parents, his sister Via, and a dog named Daisy. Before turning ten, he was homeschooled by his mother. After much discussion, his parents decided to enroll him in fifth grade. On his first day of school, the other students looked at Auggie with frightened eyes, but he was used to this kind of behavior. Despite the bullying he faced from his classmates, Auggie soon made his first friend, Jack. He considered Jack his best friend, but their friendship was tested on Halloween when Auggie dressed up as the Bleeding Scream. When he walked into the classroom, he overheard Jack making hurtful remarks about him. This deeply hurt Auggie, and he began ignoring Jack at school, no matter what Jack tried to say. During the time he was ignoring Jack, Auggie also became friends with another classmate, Summer. One day, Jack asked Summer why Auggie was acting differently, and he suddenly realized the impact of his words. Jack told Auggie that he didn’t mean to hurt him. Auggie decided to forgive him and gave him another chance at friendship. In the following weeks, Auggie gradually made more friends at school and won an award in a natural science competition with Jack. After many ups and downs, the day of fifth-grade graduation finally arrived. To everybody’s surprise, Auggie received the prestigious Henry Ward Beecher Medal for his strength and ability to inspire others. This story inspires me and teaches me the importance of empathy. Although Auggie’s appearance may seem unusual to others, once Jack understood him, he found Auggie more fascinating than he had expected. This taught me to avoid treating others with prejudice. As Auggie says at the end, “Maybe if we knew what other people were thinking, we'd know that no one's ordinary. And we all deserve a standing ovation at least once in our lives.”

【書籍介紹】 書名／A Little Princess 推薦者／高雄女中‧黃〇岑 內容簡介：

The Little Princess was written by Frances Hodgson Burnett and published in 1905. The story is about a girl, Sara Crewe. Sara was born into a wealthy family in India, and her father, Ralph Crewe, was a British officer and businessman. Sara’s mother passed away when Sara was born, so she relied solely on her father as she grew up. At the age of seven, Sara was sent to a boarding school for young ladies in London. Because Sara’s father was wealthy, the principal, Maria Minchin, arranged everything luxuriously for Sara. Before Sara’s father left, he bought her many things, such as clothes, books, and a special doll named Emily, who would listen to Sara and accompany her. Ralph also provided Sara with a carriage, a pony, and a maid. During her first lesson, Sara was asked to learn French, but she already spoke it fluently because her mother was French, and her father often conversed with her in French. She then explained the situation to her French teacher fluently. At that moment, her classmates were shocked, and her French teacher exclaimed, “I have nothing to teach her!” She also made her first friend, Ermengarde St. John, in that lesson. Sara often helped her friend Ermengarde with her homework. In fact, Sara also helped some classmates that were bad at studying. For example, she turned the lessons into stories to help her classmates understand French more easily. Owing to Sara’s kindness and assistance, her classmates liked her very much except Lavinia Herbert, who was the oldest student in the school. At the school, Sara had three best friends, Ermengarde, who accepted Sara’s help during the lesson, Lottie, who viewed Sara as mother, and Becky, a maid who Sara helped. One day, Sara stood up to Lavinia’s bullying, drawing the attention of many students. In response, Lavinia began calling Sara “Princess” mockingly, but the other students called her “Princess” affectionately. However, Sara’s life changed dramatically when she received news on her eleventh birthday that her father had passed away and lost his fortune. After that, Sara was forced to live in an old attic room and became a maid responsible for chores. Despite her hardships, she remained positive. Later, Sara met a mysterious gentleman who had recently moved from India and was living across from the school. One day, the monkey which was kept by the gentleman’s maid ran to Sara’s room. Sara returned the monkey to the gentleman, and they began to chat. As they talked, she mentioned her name, her father, and her life in India. The gentleman exclaimed, “It’s the child!” excitedly. The gentleman turned out to be a friend of Sara’s father who had kept the inheritance left for her. In the end, Sara’s fortunes were restored, returning her to her former life.

【書籍介紹】 書名／Viking Ships at Sunrise (Magic Tree House, No.15) 推薦者／高雄女中‧許〇涵 內容簡介：

In The Magic Tree House, two curious children, Jack and his younger sister, Annie, from Frog Creek, Pennsylvania, discover a mysterious tree house in the woods one summer day. Drawn by their curiosity, they climb into the house and soon realize it is filled with books and has the magical power to transport them to the places mentioned within. They learn that the tree house belongs to Morgan Le Fay, a magical librarian who collects books by traveling through time. Jack and Annie become good friends with Morgan and help her collect books. Morgan gives them secret library cards to ensure their missions go smoothly, a gesture that also symbolizes their friendship. In the fifteenth book, Viking Ships at Sunrise, Jack and Annie’s mission is to bring back an ancient story called “Serpens Magna,” created by monks in ancient Ireland. To their surprise, they meet some Christian monks upon their arrival. One of the monks, Brother Patrick, kindly guides Jack and Annie on a tour, helping them understand the monks' daily activities. He then introduces them to Brother Michael, a monk who has dedicated his entire life to working on a single book. During their mission in ancient Ireland, Jack and Annie begin to understand the importance of their task. Bringing back the book is essential because it originates in the Early Middle Ages, often called the “Dark Ages”—a time when people struggled to meet basic needs, making education a rare luxury. As a result, learning and culture almost vanish across Europe, making the preservation of the book incredibly important. Additionally, Irish monks play a crucial role in preserving civilization by safeguarding precious texts like these. Their efforts are widely acknowledged by scholars today, who commend their bravery and dedication. Though Jack and Annie aren't scholars, they deeply admire the monks. On their way home, Jack and Annie become trapped in a thick sea fog and are spotted by Viking raiders, who are feared for capturing and enslaving people on sight. Brother Patrick appreciates their quick thinking, and Brother Michael entrusts them with the unfinished book, saying, “It's better that the world should have some of it than none at all...” Urged on by the monks, Jack and Annie flee the monastery by taking a Viking longboat. Though they manage to evade the Vikings, they soon find themselves trapped again in a thick fog, struggling to row and feeling lost. Just when they are at their wits' end—in the darkest moment—they remember Morgan's words: "In the darkest hour, only stories can help." They call upon the ancient tales to guide them. With the guidance of the ancient story, Serpens Magna, they escape the perilous situation and make it safely home. I believe this book is significant because the author makes history enjoyable and highlights the courage of exploration.

【書籍介紹】 書名／Diary of a Wimpy Kid 推薦者／高雄中學‧潘〇明 內容簡介：

“Diary of a Wimpy Kid“ is a fascinating book that centers on a teenager’s daily life published in 2007. By 2022, 17 episodes have been released and two thousand million copies have been sold. What’s more surprising, it made the author, Jeff Kinney, a household name worldwide, bringing in five hundred million US dollars for him and was also translated into 53 languages such as English, Spanish, Chinese. In this novel, the author portrays the campus life of the protagonist, Greg, in detail. With the elaborate illustrations, it makes readers understand what Greg has gone through at school easily. There are some differences in education systems between America and Taiwan. In the USA, teachers use unique ways to educate and guide students. Comparatively, Taiwanese teachers tend to use cramming ways. However, there are no perfect systems in the world. For instance, many elder students in the book bully younger students, often because they are much stronger and taller than the bullied. What’s worse, they think it very interesting and appropriate, and our main character, Greg, being weak and underweight, is a poor victim of this horrible practice. On the contrary, although the current teaching ways in Taiwan may make students feel bored, there seems to be less bullying. There are also significant cultural differences, especially in how major festivals are celebrated. In America, Halloween is one of the most prominent events, with people dressing up as iconic characters from movies or legends, fully embracing the holiday’s atmosphere. For instance, the novel’s main character, Greg and his friend even build their own haunted house, showing how central Halloween is to American culture. In contrast, on New Year’s Eve in America , people may have parties or count down, but the enthusiasm doesn’t match Halloween’s excitement. In Taiwan, Lunar New Year is the most important festival, focused on family gathering. Furthermore, interaction between friends has unique aspects. Greg and his best friend, Rowley, often hang out together, but some of the games they play involve inappropriate and dangerous behavior, usually at Rowley’s expense. One day, Greg did something wrong and was seen by a neighbor. Unfortunately, the neighbor mistakenly thought he was Rowley, and Rowley ended up getting punished by the school authority. When Rowley found out what had happened, he was furious at Greg and refused to speak to him. This incident taught me that it’s wrong to tease others, even if they are my best friends. Overall, the book is filled with humor, making it a great way to kill time. More importantly, I can learn a lot about American culture from the book. Therefore, I highly recommend “Diary of a Wimpy Kid”, a book that can make readers laugh uncontrollably and continuously.

【書籍介紹】 書名／Call Me By Your Name 推薦者／林園高中‧蘇〇臻 內容簡介：

Call Me by Your Name is a novel published by André Aciman in 2007. The author completed the work in just four months, earning the Gay Fiction Literary Award, and in 2017, it was adapted into a film of the same name. The story revolves around Elio, 17, and Oliver, 24, who develop an uncontrollable attraction to each other during a brief six-week summer. Their story lasted over 20 years. That's why I was attracted to this book Elio’s father, a professor, invites a student to stay with them each summer to work on revising their paper. This year, Oliver is invited to stay. Elio’s first impression of Oliver isn’t favorable; he finds Oliver’s parting words, “Later,” dismissive and feels put off, resigning himself to having no fond memories of these six weeks. However, from the very beginning, Elio finds himself conflicted. Despite disliking Oliver’s personality, he is physically drawn to him. To conceal his feelings, Elio decides to keep his distance, but Oliver’s easygoing and generous nature brings Elio along with him in everything he does. Over time, Elio naturally becomes close to Oliver. As their feelings deepen, they both realize that, given the social attitudes of the 20th century, two people of the same gender cannot be together. To suppress his feelings, Elio decides to date a girl, but the relationship is not ideal ; even when he’s with her, he constantly thinks of Oliver. One night, Elio’s parents tell him that regardless of gender or circumstances, he should pursue what he truly desires. Later, Elio and Oliver share their feelings one night and finally come together, which makes Elio realize that he isn’t alone in craving for this connection. But as the short six weeks draw to a close, Oliver has no choice but to leave. The next time Elio hears from him is twenty years later, only to find out that Oliver has since married. Heartbroken, Elio’s parents comfort him, yet he finds solace knowing that no matter what, as long as “If I call you by my name, you’ll respond.” “We had the stars, you and I. And this is given once only.” is what I consider the most beautiful sentence in the book and my personal favorite. Through this story, the author invites readers to accompany Elio and Oliver through an unforgettable six-week summer.

【書籍介紹】 書名／Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Rodrick Rules 推薦者／高雄女中‧郭〇渝 內容簡介：

“Diary of a Wimpy Kid” by Jeff Kinney is a popular series that follows the humorous and awkward daily life of a middle schooler named Greg Heffley. One of the books in the series, Rodrick Rules, explores Greg’s relationship with his older brother, Rodrick. As Greg humorously recounts, “If some joker caught me carrying a book with ‘diary’ on the cover, they were going to get the wrong idea. Well, that’s exactly what happened to me. And don’t ask me what happened during summer vacation!” The story kicks off in early September when Greg’s brother, Rodrick, finds out that Greg has a new journal and a secret. Armed with this knowledge, Rodrick constantly uses it against him, making Greg’s life a bit of a nightmare. From selling chocolate bars and surviving chaotic family parties to silly arguments over who should greet their aunt first, the book is filled with all kinds of funny scenarios and sibling battles. How will Greg navigate his daily mishaps? You'll have to read to find out! Through Greg's diary, readers can explore American family and school life, experiencing laugh-out-loud situations that feel familiar and relatable. The book combines humorous, immersive narratives with expressive illustrations that bring the characters’ antics to life. The silly disasters and awkward moments are sure to remind readers of their own experiences, prompting hearty laughs along the way. Additionally, the book offers a glimpse into modern American culture, making it an enjoyable way to understand different social dynamics. As a bonus, readers will come across numerous English phrases and vocabulary throughout the book, making it a fun way to improve language skills while enjoying a great story.

【書籍介紹】 書名／Five Feet Apart 推薦者／高雄女中‧黃〇閔 內容簡介：

「Can you love someone you can never touch?」 Confronting the significant risk of cross-infection, the romance of Stella and Will, both afflicted with cystic fibrosis, has profoundly resonated with thousands. Cystic fibrosis, abbreviated as CF, is a genetic disorder affecting the lungs and digestive systems. To prevent infection from different types of bacteria, CF patients must uphold a six-foot distance from one another. Stella is an optimistic teenage girl, advocating for the awareness of CF disease through her youtube channel while adhering to her treatment regimen and awaiting a lung transplant. In contrast, Will, less fortunate, had been removed from the waiting list due to a specific bacteria infection. He was tired of trying one uncertain clinical trial after another. However, when Stella unexpectedly entered his life, she brightened his world and reignited his motivation to fight the disease. Will accompanied Stella through her first surgery without her cherished sister, singing a song her sister used to sing. It was the moment Stella realized she had fallen for him. To her astonishment, Stella discovered Will began to distance himself after she woke up. Will was forewarned by a tragic tale of a CF couple who both succumbed, leading him to realize he posed the highest risk to Stella’s well-being. Nonetheless, Stella devised a plan: they would wear gloves and masks and wash their hands frequently to mitigate the risk of cross-infection. They felt it was unfair that the disease had deprived them of so much, prompting them to reclaim something for themselves–merely a foot, yet it was such a happiness for them. Their relationship began to blossom in a subtly clandestine way. Suddenly, Poe, Stella’s best CFer friend, passed away right after a secret 18th birthday party arranged for Will, leaving them both devastated. His death triggered Stella thinking that all her efforts towards treatment would be in vain, motivating her to truly live her life without being constrained by the disease. On the way to her long-desired place, Stella and Will created unforgettable memories together, playing in the snow and running across a frozen lake, momentarily forgetting all the limitations of their condition, just like a typical couple. In her deep longing to be with Will, Stella chose to forgo a lung transplant, believing that being with him was worth the sacrifice. To make matters worse, she accidentally drowned, but thankfully, Will heroically saved her with mouth-to-mouth resuscitation. Stella finally accepted the lungs due to both a hallucination of her sister while fainting and Will’s encouragement upon regaining consciousness. Although she didn’t miraculously contract the bacteria from Will, he was determined to leave, allowing her to pursue a normal life with her newfound lungs. From being unable to tolerate each other's vastly different personalities to ultimately living in each other’s hearts forever, this poignant yet beautiful love story inspires contemplation about the meaning of life and teaches us how to relinquish the unattainable desires, embrace our losses, and move forward with the wishes of our beloved.

【書籍介紹】 書名／The Last Leaf 推薦者／高雄女中‧黃〇禎 內容簡介：

This story is about two friends from the lower class of society who suffer together. They are both painters and do everything together. One day, Johnsy is infected with severe pneumonia and becomes desperate about her life. In her depression, she starts to believe that her death is approaching, symbolized by the falling leaves on the old tree outside her window. On a windy, rainy night, Old Behrman paints a leaf on the wall outside Johnsy’s window—a leaf that will never fall—to give her hope and encourage her to hold on. At the same time, Johnsy’s best friend, Sue, is taking care of her and accompanying her constantly. Thanks to their persistence and hard work, Johnsy overcomes the illness and recovers completely. Regrettably, Old Behrman dies after catching pneumonia on the stormy night he painted the leaf for Johnsy. This touching story shows that during the hardest times in Johnsy’s life, her friends are always by her side. It reminds us that the depth of friendship can boost one’s courage, make one resilient, and help one overcome life's challenges. Maintain a positive attitude toward emerging challenges, stay optimistic, have the confidence to face difficulties, believe in yourself, and never give up. Just like the characters in The Last Leaf, each of us has the potential to create miracles. In this American short story and in some classic Chinese novels, I noticed a common theme: they both highlight the traits of a true gentleman. In Chinese culture, we say that “a gentleman is always ready to help others achieve their goals”. This story best embodies this spirit, making it truly thought-provoking. It really takes great courage to “sacrifice personal interests for the good of others.” Another main theme of the story is how the author has Old Behrman save Johnsy’s life and help sustain the friendship between Sue and Johnsy. Feeling old and near the end of his life, Behrman decides to sacrifice his own well-being for Johnsy, breaking the cycle of despair. Some sacrifices are needed to achieve meaningful things. After all, as the saying goes, “you can't make an omelet without breaking eggs.” The author conveys a powerful message about sacrifice through this story's simple yet profound events." If I were Old Behrman, would I make the same decision? My answer would certainly be “yes”! This is a deeply meaningful story in which you can truly feel the warmth of friendship. I believe that reading this book will be rewarding and insightful for you.