"Enjoy these OSA student recommended novels, short stories, graphic novels, and new releases." --Jif dillemuth, 8th grade
While we are all stuck inside it is very important to give your mind a break from flashing screens. Instead, I’m here to suggest another passtime: reading. Enjoy these OSA student recommended novels, short stories, graphic novels, and new releases.
Wings of Fire is a fantasy series where a group of dragonets are chosen to fulfill a prophecy and end the war between the mudwings, sandwings, skywings, seawings, rainwings, icewings, and nightwings—but not everyone is interested in the prophecy. The series is made up of three arcs, the first two have five books, and the fourth book of the third arc is coming December 2020.
Another fantasy series that will bring you into another world is Percy Jackson. If you like Greek mythology and action-packed adventures, then these are great books. It’s not new but highly recommended by OSA students.
Transcendent Kingdom is about a family who immigrated from Ghana. Their daughter, Gifty is born in the US and ends up going to Stanford Medical School. Gifty has seen people suffer all around her and wants to find the science to it. This book is great to reflect on in these hard times.
If you’re looking for a rebellious story, Dress Coded tells the story of Molly Frost, a middle schooler who makes a podcast for other girls to tell their stories and protest against the dress code.
In Circus Mirandus, Micah has been told stories of a magic circus with a man that can bend light and owes a miracle to his dying grandfather. Micah and his friend Jenny Mendoza search for the magical Circus Mirandus and the lightbender. Let this book take you to a fantasy world where there is “Magic so wondrous you have to believe it to see it.” says Cassie Beasley-the author of the book.
Creepy, mysterious, and sad, A Series of Unfortunate Events is a good series with thirteen books. It documents three siblings, Violet, Klaus, and Sunny Baudelaire. As the title suggests not very many good things happen to them. In the first book in the series, The Bad Beginning they are sent to live with a distant relative; Count Olav whose goal is to take the Baudelaire fortune.
If you’re looking for quick reads that you can look at between classes one of these short stories collections would be great.
A Phoenix First Must Burn includes sixteen stories focusing on black women and non binary individuals with fantasy, science, fiction and magical settings. The characters, their stories, and the varied universes will shine and always stick with you.
Explore the stories of queer teens through the times, and adventure into different genres with All Out: The No-Longer Secret Stories of Queer Teens Throughout the Ages. This historical fiction book shows a diverse and forgotten side of history.
Even if they aren’t as wordy as other books, graphic novels are still fun and entertaining to read. It can also be a nice break from everything that's going on right now.
Dive into silly, light hearted fun in Dog Man. It’s latest issue has recently come out: Dog Man: Grime and Punishment. This graphic novel series is full of surprises and a great read if you're looking for a funny book. The spin off series: Cat Kid Comic Club is coming December.
When Stars Are Scattered tells the story of two brothers who live in a refugee camp. One of them gets a chance to go to school but that would also mean leaving his brother behind. It is a heartbreaking true story.
Parasite: A Graphic Novel in Storyboards offers a look at the shot-by-shot drawings that started Parasite. This is an interesting new way to look at Parasite and discover the movie making process. If you liked Parasite this is a good book.
Reading is a way to find comfort or escape in these challenging times. Whatever you choose to read from futuristic worlds to fantasy I hope you enjoy, reflect on it or even talk about it with friends!
Wings of Fire is a fantasy series where a group of dragonets are chosen to fulfill a prophecy and end the war between the mudwings, sandwings, skywings, seawings, rainwings, icewings, and nightwings—but not everyone is interested in the prophecy. The series is made up of three arcs, the first two have five books, and the fourth book of the third arc is coming December 2020.
Another fantasy series that will bring you into another world is Percy Jackson. If you like Greek mythology and action-packed adventures, then these are great books. It’s not new but highly recommended by OSA students.
Transcendent Kingdom is about a family who immigrated from Ghana. Their daughter, Gifty is born in the US and ends up going to Stanford Medical School. Gifty has seen people suffer all around her and wants to find the science to it. This book is great to reflect on in these hard times.
If you’re looking for a rebellious story, Dress Coded tells the story of Molly Frost, a middle schooler who makes a podcast for other girls to tell their stories and protest against the dress code.
In Circus Mirandus, Micah has been told stories of a magic circus with a man that can bend light and owes a miracle to his dying grandfather. Micah and his friend Jenny Mendoza search for the magical Circus Mirandus and the lightbender. Let this book take you to a fantasy world where there is “Magic so wondrous you have to believe it to see it.” says Cassie Beasley-the author of the book.
Creepy, mysterious, and sad, A Series of Unfortunate Events is a good series with thirteen books. It documents three siblings, Violet, Klaus, and Sunny Baudelaire. As the title suggests not very many good things happen to them. In the first book in the series, The Bad Beginning they are sent to live with a distant relative; Count Olav whose goal is to take the Baudelaire fortune.
If you’re looking for quick reads that you can look at between classes one of these short stories collections would be great.
A Phoenix First Must Burn includes sixteen stories focusing on black women and non binary individuals with fantasy, science, fiction and magical settings. The characters, their stories, and the varied universes will shine and always stick with you.
Explore the stories of queer teens through the times, and adventure into different genres with All Out: The No-Longer Secret Stories of Queer Teens Throughout the Ages. This historical fiction book shows a diverse and forgotten side of history.
Even if they aren’t as wordy as other books, graphic novels are still fun and entertaining to read. It can also be a nice break from everything that's going on right now.
Dive into silly, light hearted fun in Dog Man. It’s latest issue has recently come out: Dog Man: Grime and Punishment. This graphic novel series is full of surprises and a great read if you're looking for a funny book. The spin off series: Cat Kid Comic Club is coming December.
When Stars Are Scattered tells the story of two brothers who live in a refugee camp. One of them gets a chance to go to school but that would also mean leaving his brother behind. It is a heartbreaking true story.
Parasite: A Graphic Novel in Storyboards offers a look at the shot-by-shot drawings that started Parasite. This is an interesting new way to look at Parasite and discover the movie making process. If you liked Parasite this is a good book.
Reading is a way to find comfort or escape in these challenging times. Whatever you choose to read from futuristic worlds to fantasy I hope you enjoy, reflect on it or even talk about it with friends!
