Summer Reads

The Summer Reads series includes books recommended by students, staff and faculty from Avonworth Middle and High Schools. This week we feature the Heroes of Olympus series, recommended by Darius Simmons, soon-to-be sophomore at Avonworth High School, and Ramona Quimby, Age 8, recommended by Mr. Guess, band and instrument teacher at Avonworth Elementary, Middle and High Schools.

Heroes of Olympus series by Rick Riordan

So Heroes of Olympus is actually a series not a single book, but when I asked students for summer reading recommendations Darius answered immediately with Heroes of Olympus. Although the books are long, the stories are fast paced and exciting so getting through them feels easy and exciting rather than slow and slogging. The entire series is a sequel to Rick Riordan's Percy Jackson and the Olympians. The stories continue on with the story of Percy Jackson, the son of Greek god Poseiden, and many of his Greek-god-and-goddess-descended friends while adding new characters who are descended from Roman gods and goddesses. Riordan's interplay of the two sometimes-similar mythologies is interesting, especially if you liked learning about ancient cultures and their belief systems. A modern conceptualization of ancient myths, Heroes of Olympus is an interesting combination of the tales and stories you've heard before and the world as we know it today.

Thanks to Darius for the recommendation!

Ramona Quimby, Age 8 by Beverly Cleary

Though written for a younger audience in mind, Ramona Quimby, Age 8 is a glimpse into childhood that anyone can revisit. Ramona, the book (and series') protagonist, is a precocious little girl who lives with her parents and her older sister (Beatrice, known as Beezus). You might have read this book or another in the series when you were younger and identified with Ramona. It is interesting to return to a book with a more mature perspective and identify with other characters. While Ramona's world and time certainly seems like a simpler one, revisiting it can be pleasant and surprising.

Thanks to Mr. Guess for the recommendation!