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Top Ten Inspiring Teachers From Literature and Film

Thu, 08 Aug 2024 18:21:49 GMT

Looking for inspiration? Look no further than these popular characters from English literature and modern movies.

1. Atticus Finch (To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee)- As a lawyer and father, Atticus imparts lessons of empathy, justice, and moral integrity to his children and the community, highlighting the importance of standing up for what is right.

2. Professor Dumbledore (Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling)- The wise and compassionate headmaster of Hogwarts, Professor Dumbledore, provides guidance, wisdom, and support to Harry and his friends, encouraging them to believe in themselves and the power of love.

3. Mr. Keating (Dead Poets Society) - Portrayed by Robin Williams, Mr. Keating is an English teacher at an all-boys preparatory school who inspires his students to seize the day, think independently, and embrace the beauty of poetry and self-expression.

4. Miss Honey (Matilda by Roald Dahl) - A kind and nurturing teacher, Miss Honey supports and believes in Matilda’s extraordinary talents, fostering a safe and encouraging learning environment in the face of adversity.

5. Ms. Gruwell (Freedom Writers) - Based on a true story, Ms. Gruwell, played by Hilary Swank, is a high school teacher who motivates her at-risk students to rise above their circumstances by expressing themselves through writing.

6. John Keating (Stand and Deliver)- Another portrayal by Robin Williams, John Keating is a dedicated math teacher who challenges his students to strive for academic excellence and recognize their potential, regardless of societal expectations.

7. Mr. Feeny (Boy Meets World) - As a high school teacher, principal, and neighbor, Mr. Feeny offers life lessons in addition to academic teachings, guiding his students through their personal growth with wisdom and humor.

8. Professor McGonagall (Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling) - A strict yet fair Transfiguration professor, McGonagall emphasizes discipline, loyalty, and courage, fostering her students’ abilities and ensuring their well-being.

9. Jaime Escalante (Stand and Deliver)- Based on a true story, Jaime Escalante, played by Edward James Olmos, is an unorthodox math teacher who successfully prepares his underprivileged students to pass the rigorous AP Calculus exam.

10. Jean Brodie (The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie by Muriel Spark) - A charismatic and unconventional teacher, Miss Jean Brodie leaves a lasting impact on her students by encouraging them to embrace art, culture, and nonconformity, though her methods are often controversial.

Ten Notable Literary Heroes

Mon, 05 Aug 2024 18:03:47 GMT

When we think of heroes, we often picture sword-wielding muscular men dispatching their enemies. Here, we take a look at heroes and heroines known more for their heart than guile than their physical bravery.

1. Samwise Gamgee from 'Lord of the Rings'' by JRR Tolkien

The Lord of The Rings novels are full of brave and courageous characters, who fight for the future of their world. However, one of the characters who most encapsulates this bravery is Sam. He is a character who was thrown into a crazy situation and displayed absolute loyalty to his friends and home. Sam may not have been the one to carry the ring, but without him, the quest to destroy the ring would never have succeeded.

2. Matilda Wormwood from 'Matilda' by Roald Dahl

Being a child is not always easy, and no one would understand that better than Matilda in this story. Matilda is a young girl who is misunderstood by her parents, and terrorized by her terrifying teacher Ms Trunchbull and must fight to express her creativity, learn more about herself and protect those around her. By the end of the book, Matilda has been able to fully accept who she and the things about her that make her special and create the life for herself that she deserves. Matilda is proof that our differences are what can make us truly special and powerful.

3. Tess from 'Tess of the D’Urbervilles' by Thomas Hardy

There have been many tragic heroes in literature but what makes a hero significant, is their bravery and strength when life is hard and unjust. The main character of this novel is victim of an uncaring and prejudice society and is treated in a way that is profoundly unfair. But Tess is not just a victim and instead remains true to herself and symbolises the strength and struggle of women. Although Tess’s story ends in tragedy by the end of this book, her strong spirit and courageous attitude lives on.

4. Atticus Finch from 'To Kill a Mockingbird' by Harper Lee

The title of the book that this hero comes from, tells us that it is an awful thing to hurt someone who was truly innocent and vulnerable. This is what Atticus Finch dedicates himself to in this story – protecting someone who was the victim of prejudice and misunderstanding and who deserves to be given a fair trial. Atticus sticks to his morals and values in this novel and also provides a great role model for his children.

5. Hermione Granger from 'Harry Potter' by J.K Rowling

The lessons we can learn from the Harry Potter books are clear; to remain loyal to your friends, to be a good person and to use all your talent and skill to fight for what is right. Hermione Granger is a great example of a character who did all of these and used her intelligence, strength and compassion to problem solve and save the day - numerous times!

6. Odysseus from 'The Odyssey' by Homer

Odysseus is an amazing example of endurance and how much one individual can deal with and be forced to overcome. As the main character of Homer’s epic poem, Odysseus must spend ten years trying to make his way home and regain his rightful throne. He must fight for himself and for the life of his family and homeland, with many difficulties and dangers along the way.

7. Katniss Everdeen from 'The Hunger Games' by Suzanne Collins

Katniss is only sixteen years old when she volunteers to represent her district in a dystopian game. As the book starts, Katniss is presented as a resourceful, resilient and loyal character, who cares about providing for and protecting her family. By the time she chooses to take her little sister’s place in the Hunger Games, we can see that she is a true hero. She will choose to do something that is incredibly difficult and dangerous and risk her own life to save others.

8. Sherlock Holmes from 'The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes' (and other novels) by Arthur Conan Doyle

There is a reason why Sherlock Holmes has remained one of the most famous literary detectives of all time. This is not only for the incredible adventures he goes on and the difficult cases he is able to solve, but also because he does all of this with wit, great intelligence and loyalty. His passion for what he does and his fearlessness shines through in all of his stories.

9. Viola from 'Twelfth Night' by William Shakespeare

There are many tragic heroes in Shakespeare’s plays, who try to do what they believe is the right thing but are led to a tragic conclusion. Viola from Shakespeare’s romantic comedy ‘Twelfth Night’ is a hero in all the best ways – she is resourceful, courageous and prepared to do what she needs to do to follow her heart.

10. Klaus Baudelaire from 'A Series of Unfortunate Events' by Lemony Snicket

Heroes can come in many different shapes and forms; some are physically strong and some have to fight back in other ways. Klaus Baudelaire, from this book series, is able to use his incredible intelligence, research skills and resourcefulness to foil the plots of the malevolent Count Olaf. He remains brave and protects his siblings, even in the most dangerous of situations and never stops trying to be a good person to others.

Character Focus: Why Juliet is Shakespeare's Most Iconic Heroine

Wed, 23 Aug 2023 20:13:38 GMT

CHARACTER FOCUS: WHY JULIET IS AN EXCEPTIONAL HEROINE

Juliet is widely regarded as one of the greatest female characters in literary history. Her portrayal in William Shakespeare's timeless play, Romeo and Juliet, showcases a complexity and depth that captivates audiences to this day.

1: One reason for Juliet's greatness is her multifaceted personality. She begins the play as a sheltered young girl, obedient to her parents' wishes. However, as the story unfolds, we witness her transformation into a courageous and independent woman. Juliet defies societal norms to pursue her own desires, risking everything for love. Her determination and resilience make her a compelling and relatable character.

2: Juliet's unwavering devotion to Romeo sets her apart. Despite the obstacles and feuding families that stand in their way, Juliet remains committed to their love. She fearlessly challenges the status quo and confronts the consequences head-on. Her loyalty and unwavering commitment resonate with audiences, making her an enduring symbol of true love.

3: Juliet's intelligence and eloquence are noteworthy. She is not just a passive character; she actively engages in the plot and showcases her wit and intelligence through her conversations and soliloquies. Juliet speaks in beautiful verse, expressing her thoughts and emotions with depth and clarity. Her words leave a lasting impact, highlighting her intelligence and depth of character.

4:Juliet's tragic fate and untimely demise contribute to her greatness as a character. Her death is seen as a sacrifice for love, emphasizing the power of love and the tragic consequences of feuding families. Juliet's untimely end makes her a symbol of the destructive nature of hate and intolerance, resonating with audiences on a deep and emotional level.

5: Unlike Romeo, who blabbers on for an eternity and wavers slightly before attempting to kill himself...Juliet's resolve and determination is staggering. Shakespeare forever immortalized her bravery in the quote 'happy dagger', Juliet's only real words before she stabs herself in order to attain her freedom.

In conclusion, Juliet is considered the greatest female character due to her complexity, unwavering devotion, intelligence, and tragic fate. Her portrayal in Romeo and Juliet continues to inspire and captivate audiences, ensuring her place as one of the most iconic and beloved characters in literature.

Thiru Thirunimalan

Prospero GCSE Series: Top 10 Christian influences in GCSE Lit Texts

183:914357722 (Thiru thirunimalan) — Fri, 09 Dec 2022 19:53:39 GMT

Maximize your Assessment Objective 3 marks for GCSE Literature with a quick read on the Biblical influences behind your set texts.

Top Ten Lessons from Greek Mythology

Sun, 23 Oct 2022 03:09:09 GMT

From love and war to downright betrayal, no one did it better than the Greeks.

P erseus and Medusa:

Perseus, the Demi-God son of Zeus, was sent to kill the monstrous Medusa- a woman with snakes for hair, who turned all that looked at her into stone. Somehow Perseus managed to complete this almost impossible task. How did he manage to do it? Well, the God Apollo lent him his invisible helmet so that Medusa could not see Perseus coming. Zeus lent Perseus the sharpest sword in existence so that he could kill her with one swing of his sword. The Goddess Athena lent him a shield polished so brilliantly that it doubled as a mirror, so that Perseus did not have to look directly at Medusa and could instead focus on the reflection. Lastly, the messenger God, Hermes, lent him his sandals so that he could fly toward Medusa’s head. Not a bad bunch of friends to have, huh?

Life Lesson: Often, we remember the hero and his act of heroism but behind every hero are the people that made him successful by helping him every step of the way- be it his family or his friends.

Orpheus and Eurydice:

How far would you go for love? Some would travel the world. Orpheus, the most celebrated musician in the ancient world, went a step further and entered the Underworld. He begged the lord of Death, Hades, to bring his lover back to life. The usually merciless Hades softened the moment he heard Orpheus’ harp and granted him his wish, but on one condition: Eurydice would follow Orpheus out of the Underworld and back to Earth but Orpheus would have to trust Hades. If he looked back for even a moment to check that his lover was following him, then she would disappear. Orpheus managed to resist temptation and kept his focus on what was ahead of him until he got to the last step. He just had to look! And so, he turned around and in that moment the silent Eurydice looked back at him with tears as she fell through the ground and returned to Hades.

Life lesson: Love is blind, trust is important but patience? Patience is everything.

King Midas:

What is the difference between ambition and greed? When does one cross the line from one into the other? Well, the Greeks made that quite clear in the myth of King Midas. King Midas was always looking for short-cuts, so when he discovered one of Apollo’s servants sleeping in his kingdom, Midas offered him great hospitality. In return, the servant gave Midas the opportunity to make a wish. King Midas did not wish for a better world or for the betterment of others. Instead, he wished for everything he touched to turn to gold. And his wish came true. Midas turned every brick in his palace into gold. Then came the horror. He tried to eat some grapes, but they turned to gold the moment he touched them. His beloved daughter came to his aid and he hugged her in despair, and she too turned to gold. Midas was left on his knees, begging for Zeus to reverse the spell.

Life Lesson: Materialism is just that: materials. Beauty is in the friendships and relationships we hold with each other and nature. Ambition for the betterment of others is to be encouraged; ambition purely for oneself is greed.

Theseus and the Minotaur:

King Minos of Crete had all the tools at his disposal to make the most of his evil nature. He had an inescapable labyrinth which housed the fearsome Minotaur. Every year Minos demanded that the King of Athens, Aegeus, send seven boys and seven girls to feed the Minotaur. Aegeus often sent the poor and helpless until, one day, his own son, Prince Theseus, outraged at the injustice of the human sacrifices his father agreed to, decided to volunteer himself. Whilst in Crete, he fell in love with Minos’ daughter who slipped him a sword and a ball of string, with which he was able to defeat the monster and find his way back out of the labyrinth. Theseus returned to Athens victorious.

Life Lessons: A leader does not hide behind his people. He does not sacrifice the helpless but defends them.

Icarus and Daedalus:

Icarus’s father, Daedalus, was a coveted inventor who had created the infamous labyrinth where King Minos had housed the Minotaur. The evil King Minos later imprisoned Daedalus and his son, Icarus, in a high tower. Nothing, however, could stop Daedalus’ thirst for freedom and for years he plucked feathers from whichever birds flew into the tower, until he had made wings large enough for both himself and his son. On the fateful of their escape, father and son flew out of the towers full of hope. All was well until Icarus became intoxicated with his newfound power and soared high toward the sun. Daedalus could only watch as his son's wings melted and he came swooping down into the ocean and to his death.

Life lesson: Science should know it’s limits . Ambition is beautiful but over ambition is dangerous.

Hades and Persephone:

Love melts even the coldest of hearts and there is none colder than the God of the Underworld, Hades. Zeus’ brother lived a lifetime amongst fiery beasts in the shadowy realms of Hell yet the moment he met Persephone, his heart melted. Hades kidnapped Persephone back to his Kingdom. Demeter, Persephone’s mother and nourisher of the Earth, protested to the Gods about her daughter’s abduction. The Gods, giving in the wrath of the loving mother, sent Hermes to the Underworld to bring Persephone back but, to everybody’s shock, Persephone was in love with Hades. Hades had built gardens and palaces for her and his newfound love had brought out a side of him no one knew existed. In the end, the Gods all came to a compromise: Persephone would spend half the year in the Underworld and the other half on Earth. However, Demeter refused to nourish the earth during her daughter’s absence, hence the presence of Autumn and Winter on Earth. Spring and Summer signify the months Persephone returns to earth.

Life Lesson: Take your pick here. Never underestimate the loyalty and love of a mother, who is willing to challenge the Gods for her daughter’s honour. Another lesson here is that even the darkest of hearts can grow pure love if given the right waters and that true beauty must be shared, not possessed.

Achilles and King Priam:

The Iliad tells the epic story of the Trojan war involving the Greeks and the Trojans. Achilles, the greatest of the Greek warriors, eventually seeks out and defeats Hector, the Prince of Troy and the greatest of the Trojans. After the victory, Achilles tied Hector’s body to his horse chariot and dragged his mutilated body back to the Greek encampments, refusing to return Prince Hector’s body. No one dared challenge Achilles for Hector’s body, no one that is but Hector’s aged and weak father, King Priam, who snuck into the Greek camps. He risked it all for the right to bury his son, kissing Achilles hand in the process. Achilles takes pity on Priam and lets him take Hector’s body back to Troy to conduct all the proper funeral rites.

Life lesson: The first lesson is that even a King has to bow down and kiss the hands of a warrior.

Odysseus and the Trojan Horse:

Most of the famous male heroes in Greek mythology are known for their incredible bravery and physical prowess. Odysseus, however, was a man known above all for his incredible intellect. In fact, Homer dedicated an entire book, The Odyssey, to Odysseus’ exploits, where he uses his mind to defeat the witch Cersei and the one-eyed giant, Cyclops, amongst others. However, Odysseus’ most famous act of brilliance came in the Trojan War. The Greeks, for whom Odysseus fought for, had laboured for over a decade and still had found no way to break through Troy’s city walls. All seemed lost until Odysseus came up with the crafty idea of creating a huge wooden horse and gifting it to the Trojans as an act of apology for the war. Inside the horse would lay several Greek soldiers, armed and waiting. The Greeks then pretended to abandon the war and return home and, just as Odysseus had imagined, the Trojans celebrated the victory and pulled the horse into the city walls. As night fell, the soldiers hidden inside the horse carefully climbed out and opened the city gates and allowed the entire Greek army to run through. Troy was burned to the ground.

Life Lesson: When your enemy gives you a gift, you might want to check it first!

The heel of Achilles:

When Achilles, hero of the Iliad, was born his mother dipped his body into the mystical river Styx. She held him by the heels and ensured he was covered with the holy water which would make him invincible. Achilles lived to fight and covered himself in glory in the Trojan war. This was the opposite of the Trojan prince, Paris, who started the war in the first place by eloping with Helen, Queen of Sparta. Unlike Achilles, who covered himself in glory in the Trojan war, Paris was seen as a coward who brought war to his people because he stole a Greek King’s wife. However, toward the end of the Iliad, with the Trojans all but destroyed, Paris aims an arrow at Achilles’ head and instead gets him in the heel- the only place his mother hadn’t washed in the River Styx. Achilles, to the surprise of all, died from the wound to his heel.

Life Lesson: No man is invincible and everyone has a weak spot; and even the greatest coward can redeem himself with bravery and a bit of luck.

Prometheus, The God of Fire:

Zeus, the King of the Gods, was sure that humans were not responsible enough to deal with having the ability to make fire and therefore kept the eternal flame in a temple in Mount Olympus. Prometheus, a Titan, took sympathy on humankind and felt that their progress was being curtailed by their inability to make fire. One night, Prometheus snuck into the temple and stole away a part of the flame and gifted it to humans. When Zeus discovered what had happened, he was enraged and had Prometheus apprehended. Zeus then tied Prometheus to a rock and ordered a giant eagle to eat a piece of his liver every day, a torture that poor Prometheus had to endure for 40 years until the hero Hercules finally freed him.

Life Lessons: Looking at all the chaos and destruction that humans have wrought with fire, maybe Zeus had a point. Sometimes limitation is as important as liberty and freedom.

Top Ten Life Lessons From Shakespeare's Plays

Tue, 04 Oct 2022 01:47:52 GMT

Top Ten Life Lessons From Shakespeare.

Julius Caesar: Your best friend has just been killed and the murderers, their knives dripping with his blood, approach you. What would you do? Well, Mark Anthony had to face this very dilemma after the death of his friend, Julius Caesar. Anthony neither ran nor fought. Instead, he pretended to side with the murderers’ cause, his timid manner even persuaded the murderers to let him speak at Caesar’s funeral. Anthony then used the speech as an opportunity to turn the crowd against the murderers. With the crowd on his side, Anthony would eventually avenge his beloved friend.

Life Lesson: A lion dressed as a sheep is far more dangerous than a sheep dressed as a lion. Sometimes you have to act weak to be strong.

Henry V: History is full of underdog stories and Henry V’s war against the French at Agincourt will forever remain one of England’s most loved underdog stories. But what makes an underdog rise to battle? What leads them to victory against all odds? Shakespeare would say men are moved by words. Words are the elixir of life. He encapsulates this to perfection in King Henry’s ‘St Crispian’ speech which remains one of the most moving and motivational speeches in literary history.

Life lesson: Never underestimate the power of public speaking.

Romeo & Juliet: Though heartaches are part and parcel of life, they never cease to hurt us no matter how old we get. What we all need is a good friend to get us through it. A good friend like Benvolio was to Romeo. In the aftermath of hearing of Rosaline’s rejection of Romeo, Benvolio utters the lines ‘Compare her with some that I shall show and you will think thy swan a crow’. Ouch.

Life Lesson: There’s plenty of fish in the sea

Hamlet: We learnt from Benvolio in ‘Romeo and Juliet’ that there’s plenty of fish in the sea but is there such thing as moving on too quickly? How about marrying your dead husband’s brother a few days after his funeral? That’s exactly what Hamlet’s mother did, prompting Hamlet to say: ‘The funeral baked meats did coldly furnish the marriage tables’. Ouch, that one’s got to hurt.

Life Lesson: Don’t schedule a marriage right after a funeral, especially not the funeral of your ex.

Othello : Othello, the brave and noble warrior of Venice, has it all. He is a commander in the Venetian military and married to the beautiful Desdemona. But success brings him enemies and none more damning than Othello’s own servant and master manipulator, Iago. Slowly but surely, the servant spins his web of deceit and brings his master, Othello, to the depths of mental hell. A brave warrior is brought to his knees by his servant.

Life Lesson: No power in the world is stronger than the mind. Control your mind or be at the mercy of others who seek to control it.

Macbeth: In a play where the witches set in motion the murder of a King, it would seem strange for us to take life lessons from them. However, the witches are supernatural beings who Shakespeare presents as having a firm grasp on human nature. At one point, the witches conclude that ‘security is mortal’s chiefest enemy’- i.e. that we are at our weakest when we are comfortable and secure.

Life Lesson: Victory can breed arrogance and laziness. Never let the ball drop. Never think you are invincible.

Merchant of Venice: Where does hatred come from? And who does it benefit? In this often dark and shocking play, Shakespeare reminds us that men are not born evil but often made that way. After suffering years of discrimination for being Jewish, Shylock, finally has enough and seeks violent revenge on his foe, Antonio. Hatred breeds hatred.

Life lesson: Don’t expect the people you demonize today to be so nice to you tomorrow. What goes around comes around.

The Tempest: We’ve all heard that revenge is a dish best served cold but as Prospero proves in ‘The Tempest’, it takes years of meticulous planning to get the dish right. However, the years of scheming can take a toll on a person’s morality. From enslaving Ariel and Caliban to using his own daughter as a pawn in his games, Prospero shows us that the quest for revenge can take us down dark paths. Paths that may make us as bad as the very people we seek revenge upon.

Life lesson: Revenge isn’t as sweet as its cracked up to be.

Richard the Third: Shakespeare presents King Richard as a bitter and brutal ruler. Nothing symbolizes this more than when he kills Lady Anne Warwick’s husband and then turns up at the funeral to propose to her. As you’d expect, she spits on his face. Richard then pulls out a ring and a sword and offers her the chance to either wed him or kill him. Lady Anne gave in to his charm and the pair were married and, surprise surprise, Richard later had her murdered too.

Life lesson: A good ring goes a long way toward making up for whatever character deficiencies we may have.

A Midsummer Night’s Dream: Hermia’s father, Egeus, is furious when he discovers that she is in love with Demetrius. It was not the match that he had envisioned for his daughter. So, the King gives her three choices: Marry someone of her father’s choosing, join the nunnery or die by execution. Not exactly the best of choices. Hermia rejects all three options and instead opts to run away into the forest with her lover. Good on her.

Life lesson: We live and die by our choices but they are our choices. Nobody has the right to decide for us.

Thiru Thirunimalan

Top Ten (Educational) Films for Teenagers

183:914357722 (Thiru thirunimalan) — Mon, 19 Sep 2022 15:29:41 GMT

Our list of essential movies....

Watching films can be a great way to improve upon spotting techniques such as foreshadowing and foreboding. Lets face it, we all need a break from revision sometimes and just want to put up feet up and let someone else do all the work.

1.Fences

August Wilson, one of America’s greatest playwrights, wrote Fences as a means of exploring how race and equality of opportunity affect two generations of one family. Denzel Washington and Viola Davis’s acting in this 2000 film adaptation takes the play to new heights- with the tense scenes between husband and wife and father and son making for an intensive emotional experience. Also great film for anyone looking for build on characterization and dialogue in their creative writing.

2.Saving Private Ryan.

I still remember my art teacher showing me this film when I was 14 years old. It smashed my concept of the war genre to pieces and Spielberg’s raw sounds and bloody visuals of the opening scene of the Omaha beach landing remain with me until this day. The film remains Hollywood’s most brutally realistic rendition of the Second World War.

3.Dune

You may have remembered that Dune featured in our list of must-read novels, too. Turning Frank Herbert’s mammoth book into a film was never going to be easy. Jarodowksy even tried to make a 70 hour film which eventually failed. However, the 2021 movie decided to split the book into two films. The film is full of mesmerizing shots of the planet Arrakis and beautifully designed futuristic space jets. Also a great watch for students to practice spotting the use of foreshadowing in film.

4.Shawshank Redemption

The greatest movie of all time? A recent Channel 4 survey seemed to think so. Shawshank Redemption captures the imagination of the human spirit through its imprisoned characters, through its use of narrative voice and through the message it conveys: that hope can be found in the darkest of places and in the darkest of times.

5.Captain Fantastic

Imagine that you were home-schooled in a forest for most of your life and found yourself in the big city one day. How would you react to ‘normal’ people? How would you react to Coca Cola, or to the mall? Would you know how to flirt or strike up a conversation with someone your age? A modern day cinematic gem that will get every boy and girl thinking about the peer pressure, fitting in and the concept of the individual in society

6.Romeo and Juliet

For decades, teachers around the world have struggled to get kids to engage with Shakespeare. Then Baz Lehman comes along and replaces swords with guns, horses with cars and the Medieval architecture of Verona with modern day Venice beach USA, and all of a sudden students can’t get enough of it. Throw in a young Leonardo DiCaprio as the zealous heartthrob, and the enthrallment is complete. An absolute genius of a film.

7.The Great Debaters

A film for those idealistic students who love arguing for justice and equality. Set in the Jim Crow era, students from a small all-black college go on to out debate famous universities and colleges, smashing conceptions of race, gender and segregation along the way. Denzel Washington as the teacher we have always

8.The Truman Show

What if your life was just a reality tv-show for others to enjoy and you didn’t even know it? What if every friend you ever had was just a paid actor? These are some of the dilemmas that Truman, played by the wonderful Jim Carey, must face in what is one of the most thought-provoking films of our lifetime. At a time where social media has blurred the lines between the private and the public spheres of our existence, this film continues to grow in importance.

9.Lord of the Rings

Peter Jackson’s adaptation of JR Tolkien’s magical novels has grown to become of the most celebrated film trilogies of all time. The Fellowship of the Ring is where we first meet the heroes of Middle Earth on their quest to destroy the Ring and vanquish Sauron once and for all, and it is still the most captivating out of the three films. If you like the idea of elves, dwarves and men battling it out against an army of orcs and goblins, you’ve found your film.

10.Fantastic Mr Fox

Wes Anderson’s animated adaptation of Roald Dahl’s classic work of fiction is a meticulous work of art. Each character is brought to life by the minute details of what is arguably the most beautiful animation in Hollywood history. In fact, 140 animators worked every day for a whole year. Add to that, an all-star voicing cast which includes the like of George Clooney, Meryl Streep and Owen and you have a truly memorable cinematic experience.

Top Ten Books For Teenagers

Mon, 15 Aug 2022 04:55:56 GMT

Here's our list of exciting, dynamic and engaging books for essential reading.

1. Catcher in the Rye, J.D. Salinger

The original teenage angst novel. Told from the point of view of the now infamous Holden Caulfield, this novel will take you through a world of rebellious loneliness that perhaps only school-going teenagers can relate to. Perhaps it goes a way toward explaining why Catcher In The Rye was once so widely banned across the USA.

2. Dune, Frank Herbert

Dune is one of the founding pinnacles of science fiction, but it is also so much more than that. It is story about a boy’s journey to manhood, about his abilities to navigate the world of masculine violence and female intuition. Literary worlds as far apart as Star Wars and Game of Thrones have borrowed heavily from it, so don’t let this one slip you by if you want to be a writer some day.

3. The Pearl, John Steinbeck

You’ve all probably read ‘Of Mice and Men' but Steinbeck wrote many other literary masterpieces, including The Grapes of Wrath, East of Eden and The Pearl. Unlike the others however, The Pearl, is a little gem of only 60 pages and can be read in a single sitting. It is a story about poverty and greed and is one of the most famous novellas ever written.

4. 1984, George Orwell

In a world of 24-hour surveillance, data tracking and emergency regulations, where better to get your education on the dangers of excessive government power than through the Orwell’s seminal dystopian work. Follow Winston Smith, the naïve rebel trapped in a totalitarian state, and find out just how deep the rabbit hole of conspiracy goes.

5. Lord of the Flies, William Golding

What would happen if all the boys in your class were stranded on a deserted island without a single adult to supervise them? This is exactly what Golding set out to discover in what has become one of the most infamous novels of all time. Be prepared for a tale of friendship, bloodshed and chaos, and a battle between good and evil the likes of which you’ve never seen before.

5. I’m King of the Castle, Susan Hill

What makes a bully? What makes a victim? Is it better to stand up for yourself and risk retaliation or to go quietly into the den of oppression? In I’m King of the Castle, Susan Hill uses narrative voice with exceptional power to weave a story of friendship and betrayal that explores the human psyche at its savage core.

6. To Kill a Mockingbird, Harper Lee

What Catcher in the Rye is for teenage angst, To Kill a Mockingbird is for teenage idealism and adventure. This novel continues to be adored worldwide for its ability to capture the injustices of Jim Crow era segregation in the USA. The image of Atticus Finch and Tom Robinson will live long in your memory. A must read.

7. Fahrenheit 451, Ray Bradbury

Imagine a world where firefighters burned things instead of putting fires out. In a world where books are banned and reading was punishable by death, how far would you go to protect them? This dystopian masterpiece is something everyone who treasures literature should read- for no reason other than the fact that it shows us life without the freedom to read isn’t worth living.

8. Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, J.K. Rowling

Drawing upon thousands of pages of research into myth, legend and fantasy, JK Rowling produced one of the iconic novels of our age, and a small little hero to go along with it. It’s difficult to meet somebody nowadays who hasn’t read this novel. The films just don't compare.

9. The Hunger Games, Suzanne Collins

They say yesterday’s nightmare is often tomorrow’s reality. All the more reason to read this modern classic about a girl who has to summon upon all the courage and fortitude that is humanly possible in order to topple an unjust political regime.

10. Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief, Rick Riordan

Who said Greek mythology was dead? Rick Riordan excels in bringing ancient myth to the modern audience in this fast paced and action packed thriller. As with the Hunger Games, you can treat yourself to the movies once you’ve read the books.