Recomendations
Muwahheed Billah
Pd. 2
Ms. Chan
Interview 1
Name: M.B
About: Male Senior at Stuyvesant High School
Interests: Video games, cars, and basketball.
Q. What book would you recommend to high school audiences?
A. I would definitely recommend Lord of the Flies by William Golding.
Q. What distinguishes that book from others that you have read?
A. The book is very graphic and it captures the reader’s attention head on. It appeals to mostly high school males who like violence and fighting. Also, it’s kind of similar to LOST.
Q. What would you have to say was the most memorable thing about the book.
A. I would say that the most memorable thing about the book is when the two groups of kids split up into different groups. This really shows how immoral people become when they do not have their basic necessities. I especially remembered the part when the group of hunters decapitate the sow and put its head on top of a stake. This part was very memorable and that’s why it is what’s on the cover of the book.
Q. Did you learn anything from the book which affected you later on in life?
A. I learned that food and shelter are both very important human necessities and that without them people become very desperately violent. But I’m hoping that does not affect me in my life.
Q. Do you think that these incidents can actually occur in real life?
A. Yes, I definitely think that if people, especially children, were put in that position, there would definitely be occurrences similar to that in the book. I personally seen people like this when their out to lunch privileges were voided and they had to eat the cafeteria food.
Interview 2
Name: A.H
About: Female Junior at Hillcrest High School
Interests: Shopping, jewelry, and movies
Q. Which book would you recommend for high school girls?
A. Pride and Prejudice, definitely, without any questions. I think reading that book is part of being a girl in high school.
Q. What is so special about the book that appeals to teenage girls?
A. Everything about the book is special. Trust me, if you were a girl you would understand.
Q. Can you relate to the book in any way?
A. Yes I could relate to the book, in that I have to decide whether to marry for money or not. I’m just kidding, but that is definitely something anyone else could relate to the book.
Q. Can I relate to the book?
A. Umm, if you want to. I mean the book is not only for girls as it teaches lessons about males as well. Yea, you could be the character with both pride and prejudice.
Q. Pride and Prejudice was written in the 18th century. Why do you think that it is still being taught in schools throughout the world, in 2009?
A. I think the main reason that it is still being taught is that it is a classic that set the standards for love stories throughout the world. Also there have been numerous movies and TV shows about the novel.
Interview 3
Name: O.K
About: Female at Stuyvesant High School
Interests: Frisbee, bowling, and cooking
Q. What is your favorite classical book that you’ve read in your Stuyvesant career?
A. My favorite classical book would have to be Romeo and Juliet.
Q. What is so special about the book?
A. I liked how there were many euphemisms for explicit references.
Q. If you were the parent of Juliet, how would you have handled the situation?
A. Obviously more sympathetic, their rivalry led their children to their graves.
Q. Do you think that arranged or forced marriage is still an issue in the 21st century?
A. Yes, some of my South Asian friends have been married of, and they’re still in middle school.
Q. Many times critics have argued that maybe the book can have a different ending. Do you think the book would’ve been as influential if it was a happily ever after ending?
A. The twist in the end really touches upon the reader emotions; the twist is truly unique. It would definitely not have been the same book if the ending were any different.
Interview 4
Name: S.O
About: Male Senior at Stuyvesant High School
Interests: Soccer, books, and maps
Book: Angela’s Ashes by Frank McCourt
Q. Why do you like this book?
A. I am Irish myself and my father has told me countless stories of his past. So in a sense it’s similar to reading my father biography. Also I’m from Brooklyn too, and I always had a sense of Brooklyn Pride.
Q. Did he face such destitute situations?
A. Many people in Ireland at his age were impoverished. I don’t remember Ireland; I visited the place when I was young. So this serves me as a taste of Irish culture.
Q. Who would you recommend this book to?
A. Well it appeals the to Irish, obviously, but it should attract teenagers. Most of the story revolves around the life of a teenager. I would recommend to anyone from age 13-19.
Q. What’s unique about the book?
A. Though it’s not a biography, it is written as story and even though it’s a true story, it reads as fiction.
Q. How does the book compare to the movie?
A. I’d say the movie was spot on depicting the scenes, but it was also missing scenes. But the movie was one of my favorites of all time
Interview 5
Name: Anonymous
About: Female
Interests: ?
Book: Watchmen
Q. Why did you like the book?
A. It was very imaginative and the story was complex. There deeper subplots.
Q. Could it be read in classes?
A. No. I think that if it were read in class, everyone would not care as much about the book as they would if they read it themselves.
Q. Why not?
A. For one thing, vulgarity would be an issue, with all the violence and cursing. Also, students would rather watch the movie than read the actual book.
Q. How did the book compare to the recently released movie?
A. The movie was not as good as the book because they altered the ending. But it followed the script line to line.
Q. Is there anything to be learned from this book?
A. It triggers many philosophical thoughts. I hear it is very Existentialist. I do not know about Existentialism, but now I am interested in it.
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