Graduating from High School can be a daunting experience, as can choosing a gift for a recent graduate. To aid you in this choice, I have compiled a list of 10 books that will undoubtedly help your graduate through their coming-of-age, and fill them with useful knowledge about where to go in the future.
Book 1- “Into The Wild” by Jon Krakauer
Into The Wild” is the real life story of Chris McCandless, a newly graduated young man who decides to give up everything, including his full ride to an Ivy League college, his car, and society, in search of his true self. The novel is incredibly inspiring, and is perfect for the graduate who can’t see their self working at a desk, or having some other common job.
**Want to buy this book? Go here: http://www.amazon.com/Into-Wild-Jon-Krakauer/dp/0307387178/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid;=1300829061&sr;=8-1
Book 2- “A Portrait Of The Artist As A Young Man” by James Joyce
This novel is artistically and masterfully written, and encompasses a young man’s coming of age and epiphany that life can be whatever you want it to be. The narration surrounds his ideas and thoughts as he progresses through his adolescence and eventually finds his niche. There are also undertones regarding the importance of leaving one’s hometown and seeing the beauty of the world.
**Want to buy this book? Go here: http://www.amazon.com/Portrait-Artist-Young-Man/dp/1453813004/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie;=UTF8&qid;=1300829131&sr;=1-1
Book 3- “Angela’s Ashes” by Frank McCourt
“Angela’s Ashes” is Frank McCourt’s memoir of growing up in a Roman Catholic family in Ireland. The memoir discusses the gradual understanding of family importance, self respect, honor, and religion. This is a wonderful choice for any graduate struggling with certain problems, as it involves many instances of the narrator’s overcoming of problem after problem.
**Want to buy this book? Go here: http://www.amazon.com/Angelas-Ashes-Memoir-Frank-McCourt/dp/068484267X/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie;=UTF8&qid;=1300829215&sr;=1-1
Book 4- “The Adventures Of Tom Sawyer” by Mark Twain
Mark Twain’s classic novel about the growing up of a boy and his maturation into a respectable young man. This book is a timeless representation of the “coming of age novels,” and it discusses many normal problems young boys face in growing up.
**Want to buy this book? Go here: http://www.amazon.com/Complete-Adventures-Huckleberry-Sawyer-ebook/dp/B001L5U5QC/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie;=UTF8&qid;=1300829235&sr;=1-1
“Fight Club” has become a pseudo classic novel, and also a very popular movie, surrounding the life of a materialistic man who struggles with giving up his possessions and going mad. This is a wonderfully entertaining novel and will undoubtedly have any reader questioning the importance of their own materialistic possessions.
**Want to buy this book? Go here: http://www.amazon.com/Fight-Club-Novel-Chuck-Palahniuk/dp/0393327345/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie;=UTF8&qid;=1300829261&sr;=1-1
Book 6- “Catcher In The Rye” by J.D. Salinger
Yet another classic novel surrounding the maturation and realizations of a teenager coming of age. This novel makes the reader question the importance of holding on to one’s youth, which is typically a problem for those venturing off to college. It also deals with the importance of family, friends, and trust.
**Want to buy this book? Go here: http://www.amazon.com/Catcher-Rye-J-D-Salinger/dp/0316769177/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie;=UTF8&qid;=1300829284&sr;=1-1
A soon to be classic novel about a boy living in Kabul, who befriends his father’s servant’s son. A truly chilling tale regarding the importance and necessity of self respect, friendship, loyalty, and social status. This novel is definitely a wonderful choice for anyone coming of age, and provides a compelling and emotional story as well.
**Want to buy this book? Go here: http://www.amazon.com/Kite-Runner-Khaled-Hosseini/dp/1594480001/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie;=UTF8&qid;=1300829345&sr;=1-1
“The Giver” takes place in a Utopian society, and surrounds the life of a young boy who is the first to resist the punctuality and control of the society. A wonderful choice for any high school graduate that will remind any reader to question things rather than to blindly accept them.
**Want to buy this book? Go here: http://www.amazon.com/Giver-Lois-Lowry/dp/0385732554/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie;=UTF8&qid;=1300829371&sr;=1-1
Taking place in a futuristic society, bent on the removal of books and all things opposing the government, this novel provides insight into the importance of knowledge, reading, and questioning things rather than merely accepting what you are told. Another classic with important undertones for anyone who is coming of age.
**Want to buy this book? Go here: http://www.amazon.com/Fahrenheit-Related-Readings-Literature-Connections/dp/0395878063/ref=sr_1_6?s=books&ie;=UTF8&qid;=1300829391&sr;=1-6
Book 10- “The Perks Of Being A Wallflower” by Stephen Chbosky
The last book on the list, but certainly not the least powerful. Encapsulated in an enthralling storyline and wonderful characterization are tones regarding the importance of finding and knowing one’s self. An amazing story of growing up, “The Perks Of Being A Wallflower” discusses several issues and topics that your graduate has undoubtedly faced, or will face in the near future. A great read for anyone struggling to find exactly who they are.
**Want to buy this book? Go here: http://www.amazon.com/Perks-Being-Wallflower-Stephen-Chbosky/dp/0671027344/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie;=UTF8&qid;=1300829440&sr;=1-1
These 10 books are the perfect gift ideas for any high school graduate, as they discuss important topics and problems both faced too often, and faced too seldom. Books are always a great gift idea, but when they relate to exactly what the receiver is going through, they can easily become a life changing gift.
