Planning to read over the school break? Get over your reading slump and enrich your mind with these highly recommended books to read during the school holidays!
School breaks are the perfect time to hit the pause button on schoolwork and just relax.
Relaxing doesn’t mean being catatonic, though. You can still do something productive while being at ease and de-stressing!
For example, why not make the most of this downtime by picking up a good book? Reading is easily one of the most productive things to do during the holidays.
With the right book, you can escape from reality even as you broaden your horizons and discover new concepts. Don’t know where to start? You’re in luck, as we’ve put together a list of recommended books for students!
This list of education books features titles that are both enjoyable and beneficial for learning, and we’ve broken it up into our recommendations for different levels of education. Let's get lost in some great stories!
School breaks are the perfect time to hit the pause button on schoolwork and just relax.
Relaxing doesn’t mean being catatonic, though. You can still do something productive while being at ease and de-stressing!
For example, why not make the most of this downtime by picking up a good book? Reading is easily one of the most productive things to do during the holidays.
With the right book, you can escape from reality even as you broaden your horizons and discover new concepts. Don’t know where to start? You’re in luck, as we’ve put together a list of recommended books for students!
This list of education books features titles that are both enjoyable and beneficial for learning, and we’ve broken it up into our recommendations for different levels of education. Let's get lost in some great stories!
Genre: Fiction, Fantasy
What it’s about: Charlotte’s Web is a beloved classic about a friendship between a spider named Charlotte and a pig named Wilbur. Both live on a farm and eventually discover that Wilbur is being raised for slaughter. From there, Charlotte hatches a plan to save her porcine friend’s life.
Why you should read it: The story carries a slew of lessons worth learning, from the inevitability of death to the enduring power of friendship. This is a tale of loyalty and sacrifice told in a way children will adore.
Genre: Autobiography, Non-fiction
What it’s about: Anne Frank’s “The Diary of a Young Girl” is literally her personal diary, with most of it composed while Frank and her family were in hiding during the Nazi occupation of the Netherlands. A touching and tender memoir, it records Anne’s days as a Jewish thirteen-year-old trying to survive the Holocaust and still finding the beauty of life in the middle of World War II’s horrors.
Why you should read it: Anne Frank’s diary is a testament to many things, including the need to be on guard against prejudice and violence. It’s also a good way to show children that a light can burn bright even in the middle of darkness. Perhaps most importantly, it’s a lesson in the power of hope and the human spirit.
Genre: Fiction, Fantasy
What it’s about: The Magic School Bus is actually not a single book but several that are part of a series. A teacher, Ms Valerie Felicity Frizzle, takes her class on field trips on a magic school bus – one that is not only sentient but able to take passengers to fantastic places. At various points in the story, they end up in outer space, a human body, and the clouds.
Why you should read it: The series is actually meant to be an educational one at its core, as every story takes Ms Frizzle’s class (and the reader) on a learning expedition. The bus goes to space to learn about the solar system, for example. Or it goes to a human body to discuss biology. It’s a great series for those who want to encourage children’s interest in science.
Genre: Novel, Realistic fiction
What it’s about: Easily one of the most famous coming-of-age stories, this book is about a teen named Holden Caulfield who is growing increasingly disaffected and disillusioned with the world. His struggles to relate to or connect with others at his prep school only increase as the story progresses, tapping into the harsh realities of adolescence.
Why you should read it: Adolescence is often the time for finding oneself and where one fits in the world. This book focuses on the difficulties of that, as well as the challenges that young people face as they get closer to adulthood.
Genre: Novel, Realistic Fiction
What it’s about: Told chiefly by the neighbour of the titular character, this is a tale of the glorious decadence of the US’s Roaring Twenties. The highly enigmatic and unbelievably rich Jay Gatsby is central to the novel, as are his attempts to win back his former sweetheart, Daisy Buchanan.
Why you should read it: The Great Gatsby was said to have sprung from its author’s disillusionment with the American Dream, or the belief that anyone may seek and achieve his or her goals, particularly in the so-called Land of Opportunity (the US). It’s a meditation on the emptiness that certain achievements – like dazzling wealth – can still have, and on what one may end up with when pursuing things like power or status blindly. Teens beginning to plumb the idea of life’s meaning and fulfilment may appreciate the questions it raises.
Genre: Novel, Domestic Fiction
What it’s about: Set in 1930s Alabama, the story is told from a young girl’s perspective. Scout is the daughter of a small-town lawyer, Atticus Finch, and relates events as she grows up. Central to the plot is the trial of Tom Robinson, black man accused of raping a white woman, and Atticus Finch’s defence of him.
Why you should read it: This story is one of the best ways to help younger readers learn about discrimination, prejudice, and empathy. It highlights the importance of overcoming one’s own prejudices and of having the courage to stand for justice even when all others seem opposed.
Genre: Fable, Fantasy Fiction, Allegory, Political Satire
What it’s about: Animal Farm seems almost like a children’s story, on the face of it, because it’s full of talking animals. The animals essentially band together to rebel against the farmer who owns them, as they desire a happier, more egalitarian way of living. Problems arise, however, when one of the other animals betrays them.
Why you should read it: Animal Farm is practically required reading for political scientists for a reason. The allegory of the rebelling animals is actually based on the events of the Russian Revolution. It warns about the dangers of totalitarianism and uncritical obedience to authorities, and remains a salient critique of power and its corrupting quality even today.
Genre: Novel, Science Fiction, Dark Comedy
What it’s about: At once fanciful and realistic, this story is about the life of war veteran Billy Pilgrim, who at various points survives the Bombing of Dresden, is turned into an exhibit at an alien zoo, and even “comes unstuck in time” (leading to time-travelling moments and flashbacks).
Why you should read it: Technically a semi-autobiographical account of Vonnegut’s own experiences as a prisoner of war in WWII, the book is often referred to as an anti-war text. It can be a good way for readers to discover themes like war and death, peeling away their masks to see the horrors. The book also carries intriguing queries about free will and the decisions we make vs. the idea of fate. It can encourage readers to practise critical thinking before making choices, as well as exploration of possible consequences for whatever they decide to do.
Genre: Fiction, Romance Novel
What it’s about: Set in the late 18th Century, the novel is about Elizabeth Bennet, a young woman navigating the challenges of society at the time. Her charming impertinence, beauty, and wit eventually ender her to the wealthy and proudly aristocratic Mr. Darcy. The story follows the development of their relationship.
Why you should read it: Regularly listed among the best-loved books in English literature, Austen’s novel is a sprightly, entertaining exploration of the dangers of pride and prejudice. It helps us take a look at the misunderstandings between classes, the problem with basing relationships off first impressions, the value of self-awareness, and the need for empathy. It can help readers unpack their own preconceptions about others based on categories like social standing, and from there, move towards more tolerant attitudes.
As you can see, reading offers both fun and learning when you choose the right text.
Or recommended books are educational since they offer chances to learn about different perspectives, cultures, historical events, and universal themes – all while also providing an enjoyable reading experience!
If you need more book suggestions, feel free to contact us. Or, if you want more ideas for learning in this break as well as a little more help with your studying, we have programmes that can help.
At Aspire Hub we have a variety of learning and enrichment programmes, small class sizes, personalised tuition plans, and more. Learn more about our classes now!
