This post was written by Emily Bowman, a summer intern in the Corporate Communications department.
Last days of school have come and gone, students are finishing up final exams and the carefree bliss of summer vacation is almost within reach. With all that, graduation season is inevitably upon us! Whether it is a kindergarten “moving up” ceremony or the milestone high school graduation, this important moment in a student’s life should be commemorated in a meaningful way. What better way to impart words of wisdom than through a book?! Below is a list of great reads that would make A+ graduation gifts.
1. Oh, The Places You’ll Go by Dr. Seuss
Dr. Seuss never goes out of style. As a kid, I loved the story for its infectious rhymes and funny illustrations. Reading it now, I realize it is packed with indispensible life lessons. This timeless book reminds kids (of any age) that they possess the capability and courage to make their own choices. Even through life’s inevitable ups and downs, they will have the self-awareness and determination to get through them. As Dr. Seuss says, “you know what you know, and YOU are the guy who’ll decide where to go.”
Life Lesson: Perseverance
2. Wonder by R.J. Palacio
August knows he’s an ordinary boy, but the rest of the world doesn’t see him that way. Born with a face deformity, he has grown accustomed to stares, whispers, and the constant feeling of exclusion. With his decision to start attending middle school, August faces isolation and ridicule on an entirely new level. However, with the help of true friends, he learns to love himself more than he ever thought possible. This story embodies the idea that beauty comes from the inside out and proves that kindness will never go unnoticed.
Life Lesson: Acceptance
3. The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky
A socially awkward teen, Charlie has always found it hard to make friends. He has spent most of his life as a ‘wallflower,’ blending into the background and never breaking out of his shell. The story is about his journey through high school and his blossoming friendship with two charismatic outsiders that helps give him the confidence and love-of-life he has always lacked. Everyone can find something to relate to in Charlie’s story – feelings of loneliness, confusion, and discouragement plague us all at times. But, the overarching theme reminds us that we all deserve to be happy, and that we can find the confidence to conquer our obstacles.
Life Lesson: Courage
4. Wild by Cheryl Strayed
A story of being knocked down by life, and learning to get back up again. Cheryl Strayed portrays, with raw and relentless honesty, how she managed to pull herself out of her own darkness. Facing inner demons and the pain of her mother’s death, Cheryl sets out to hike the Pacific Crest Trail – an incredibly difficult task, both physically and mentally. Through the struggles of her journey, she pieces back parts of herself that she thought were lost forever. This story inspires inner-strength and demonstrates the importance of truly understanding oneself, which are valuable lessons upon graduation.
Life Lesson: Self-discovery
5. The Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum
A reminder that no matter where life takes you, there truly is “no place like home.” Personally, this classic novel makes me reminisce on my childhood – watching “The Wizard of Oz” with my mom on a rainy day and dressing up as Dorothy for multiple Halloween’s in a row. When I graduated from high school, the story took on a whole new meaning for me. I could relate to Dorothy. I was eager to leave home and go off to college, just as Dorothy wanted to escape her life on the farm in Kansas. But eventually she realizes that she had taken the comforts of home, and the love of her family, for granted. While venturing out into the great unknown of their futures, graduates will be grateful to remember that “home” is always waiting for them.
Life Lesson: Be thankful for what you have
