As the school year ends, students will inevitably find themselves with more time on their hands than during the busy school year. To celebrate the end of another year of school and the start of break, some students have given reading recommendations so that students can not only watch television and scroll social media but cozy up under a sun graced tree while engrossed in a book.

“If I recommend one book to read this summer, it would be Hawkwing’s Journey by Erin Hunter. This book tells the story of the cat Hawkwing, a member of SkyClan. Hawkwing and SkyClan, despite being isolated from the rest of the warrior cat clans, as a whole start off fairly prosperous, but things very soon turn for the worse when they receive a mysterious visitor. Eventually, SkyClan finds themselves driven from their home, lost and alone in the wilderness facing countless dangers. Hawkwing must learn to grow up and help lead his clan to a new home alongside the other four warrior cat clans before they fall apart completely. I personally like this book for two main reasons: it keeps you on the edge of your seat never knowing what SkyClan will face next, and it is incredibly satisfying to watch Hawkwing develop as a character throughout the story. I would recommend it to anyone who likes fantasy animal books or people who like reading stories of growth and perseverance. To this day, Hawkwing’s Journey is one the my favorite books I’ve ever read,” sophomore Nicholas Kasiborski said.

If the concept of the novel is interesting to you but this specific book does not spark your interest, look to the over 40 other books in the series.

“I am currently reading ‘Dead Men Walking’ by Steve Lyons. It’s a novel that discusses the horrors of war and the dehumanization of soldiers and civilians. It’s a Warhammer 40,000 novel about a mining planet besieged by the Necrons, ancient robotic warriors. Civilians are massacred until they are ‘saved’ by the intervention of the Death Korps of Krieg, known for their stoicism and willingness to sacrifice. As the Death Korps clash with the Necrons, the conflict escalates to catastrophic proportions, resulting in immense casualties and unimaginable destruction,” sophomore Piercen Brooks said.

Warhammer 40,000 is a tabletop game played with miniature figurines. They, like the novel mentioned by Piercen, have a futuristic aesthetic as the 40k in the name stands for the year in which their epic battles take place.

“‘Fablehaven’: It’s one of my favorite book series. Its charters are fleshed out and the world makes sense. It’s about some kids that discover their grandpa takes care of magical creatures and now they need to stop some guy from releasing demons,” sophomore Quinn Tiell stated.

For a less contemporary book suggestion, turn to Adam Reddish.

“My book suggestion for the summer would be ‘Animal Farm’. This is a book that many people have because classes read it in class,” senior Adam Reddish said.

Even those who have read the novel before may find more enjoyment in a second reading, especially without an obligation to annotate.

“‘Animal Farm’ tells the story of farm animals who rebel against humans in hope for a better life. The story helps show corruption, political recession, totalitarianism, and communism, retelling the Soviet era in a seemingly playful, fabled world, still relevant over 70 years after the novel’s publishing. It is a good book to people that like history, or just a casual reader. It is personally in my top five books to read, ” Reddish continued.

Regardless of what books or genres you choose to read from, be sure to enjoy them as you relax this summer.