John Green is the sole-author of Looking for Alaska, An Abundance of Katherines, Paper Towns, and The Fault in Our Stars. He has also co-authored a couple of stories with different authors. His work really made up my reintroduction to this genre. I enjoy his work because his books are typically narrated by male characters, so it is nice to get the male perspective of adolescence from a genre that is mostly female narrated. I also love his ability to use humor. A lot of his themes are very serious and a couple of his books involve tragedies, but he dashes them with light humor to keep the plot moving and the content readable. I hope to one day be able to teach one of, if not all of, his books in my classroom.
Therefore, if I had to sum up my literacy history in one phrase I would say, "Books are my Zoloft." They lift my spirits, they make me happy, they keep me guessing, laughing, crying, and smiling. They're always there to be picked up for a pick-me-up. I am forever grateful that I was introduced to the wonders of books early on in life and that I've continued to appreciate their impact in my life. Books and the power of reading can truly be life changing. Just looking at this list, one can see how much they've changed my life. I hope to give that power to others in my classroom as well as in bookstores, on the street, and even in the cereal isle of the grocery store. There is so much to read out there in this great world, and all you have to do is open your eyes to the wonder of words.
