The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald
F. Scott Fitzgerald's The Great Gatsby is a timeless novel centered around the truth of the American Dream. Contrary to some older books I have read in the past, Gatsby does not have one dull moment in it. Each character is interesting and compelling in their own way, even side characters such as Myrtle Wilson who had an interesting homelife that the story explored for a short period of time. Gatsby's story teaches us that people are not always what they seem, even the kind and famous. It also shows us the dangers of the American Dream and how the American Dream differs for everyone. Overall, it is an exciting and interesting story with important messages about our society concealed within.
The House on Mango Street by Sandra Cisneros
The House on Mango Street expertly explains the struggles of living in Chicago as a person of Hispanic descent. Even more impactful is the fact that it is told from a young teen's point of view. The story is about Sandra Cisneros's own childhood, and like Gatsby, it shows that people can be deceiving and even cruel. However, the story is also one of hope and self-confidence. While the main character Esperanza starts off a bit insecure, by the end she is confident in her abilities and knows she is going to make it out of Mango Street unlike her family that she has seen struggle in the past. The story tastefully shows the truth about living as a minority in a poorer area, but having the means to overcome these challenges and make it out alive. Esperanza's building confidence can inspire anyone.
Highly Illogical Behavior by John Corey Whaley
F. Scott Fitzgerald's The Great Gatsby is a timeless novel centered around the truth of the American Dream. Contrary to some older books I have read in the past, Gatsby does not have one dull moment in it. Each character is interesting and compelling in their own way, even side characters such as Myrtle Wilson who had an interesting homelife that the story explored for a short period of time. Gatsby's story teaches us that people are not always what they seem, even the kind and famous. It also shows us the dangers of the American Dream and how the American Dream differs for everyone. Overall, it is an exciting and interesting story with important messages about our society concealed within.