djacob@isps.edu.tt

LET’S GO BOOK SHOPPING

Looking for the perfect Christmas gift?

You could give your teenager the vampire of her dreams. Of course I’m talking about the Twilight series that is enjoying unbelievable popularity among girls.

Most boys seem to be incensed about the series, but plenty of them secretly read it to see exactly what appeals to girls.

When it comes to shopping for Christmas, you know that books are always at the top of my list. They’re the cheapest vacation you can find and they rank among the top of lessons teachers.

It’s true students who read a lot do better in school, but reading is not just important for academic reasons.

Students who read a lot develop analytical skills that they need to make decisions in life.

Our aim should be to develop a nation of discerning individuals capable of sifting through the information they read in newspapers or watch on TV to see what is objective and what is subjective.

The skills we learn from reading help us to become better informed voters and better citizens.

Here are my recommendations for great Christmas gifts.

Many of these books are available in RIK, Nigel Khan, Paper Based in the Normandie Hotel, The Reader’s Book Shop near Long Circular Mall and other local bookstores, or they can be ordered at amazon.com:

n The Duchess by Amanda Foreman—This is the story of Georgiana Spencer, a distant aunt of Diana, Princess of Wales. Her story possesses an uncanny resemblance to Princess Diana’s. This is a great book for Diana fans or romantic history buffs.

n The Last Lecture by Randy Pausch, Professor, Carnegie Mellon—This is for the person on your list who loves inspirational literature. Pausch was a popular professor who refused to let his terminal cancer destroy his spirit and love for life.

n Coraline by Neil Gaiman—Students from eight to 12 will appreciate this escapist literature. Gaiman is a popular adult writer, who is obviously trying to build a new generation of fans. Coraline is the story of a girl who steps through the door of her new home and into a new family who plans to keep her. Coraline has to be brave and figure out how to return to her family. The book inspired an animated movie.

n Sheep by Valerie Hobbs—This is still my favourite book for readers eight to 80. Sheep is the perfect fable and allegory. It’s the story of a dog finding his purpose in life after his owners sell their farm and move on with their lives. The dog has a series of adventures that forces the reader to think about the purpose of life. It is a multi-layered story that teaches all the elements of literature in a fun-filled way. This is a great book for boys and girls.

n I Can Read! Marley & Me: Marley to the Rescue!—There are many versions of the famous book Marley and Me by John Grogan and each version is one of the best buys I can think of for the reading level. The I Can Read! Marley and Me is appropriate for beginning readers. There’s a version for eight to 12-year-olds and of course the adult version, which will make you laugh and cry.

The movie starring Jennifer Anniston is coming soon. Everyone can relate to Marley.

n Cracker! The Best Dog in Vietnam by Cynthia Kadohata—You just can’t go wrong with a dog book, and boys (as well as girls) love this book about an explosives dog in Vietnam.

It’s an endearing story about loyalty and friendship.

n Dreams from My Father by Barack Obama—If you haven’t read this autobiography by the US President-elect, I highly recommend it.

I read this book before Obama was running for the Senate (he wrote it after he was elected head of the Harvard Law Review) and I followed his career ever since.

The book is characterised by very good, insightful writing.

This is a book for those on your list who believe in hope!

n Brisingr by Christopher Paolini—The third book in the Eragon series, it is now out. This popular series, which the author started writing when he was 16, is very popular among fantasy/sci-fi fans. This is truly a young adult book for readers 12 on up.

n Outliers: The Story of Success by Malcolm Gladwell—Most readers will know Gladwell from the Tipping Point, his analysis of how products become successful.

Gladwell’s writing is entertaining, informative and provocative. If you have a fan of non-fiction writing on your list, this is a good choice.

It just came out, so most readers won’t have it.

n West Indian literature—Go to your favourite book store and browse the West Indian section from children’s literature to adult literature.

I can’t stress how important it is for readers of all ages to be able to see themselves in the literature that they read—and this means culturally speaking too.

Happy shopping. I wish you a holiday filled with great reading.t