Reading and Writing: Leaders are Readers

Vice-Captain, Matthew D. recommends the Spud Series by John Van de Ruit.

This series is a hilarious and heartwarming coming-of-age novel that follows the misadventures of John "Spud" Milton at a South African boarding school, offering teenage boys a wickedly funny and surprisingly poignant look into adolescence. With its sharp wit, memorable characters, and honest portrayal of teenage struggles, the book provides both laugh-out-loud comedy and genuine insights into friendship, family, and personal growth that will resonate with boys navigating their own turbulent teenage years.

Vice Captain, Noah, recommends 'The Remains of the Day' by Kazuo Ishiguro.

The book is a profound exploration of loyalty, regret, and missed opportunities that follows Stevens, a buttoned-up English butler whose unwavering dedication to his profession masks a deeply emotional inner life. Though it might seem quiet on the surface, this novel is a powerful journey of self-discovery that will challenge you to think deeply about personal sacrifice, the dangers of blind commitment, and the moments that truly define a life.

Student Council President, Dylan, highly recommends the classic book 'To Kill A Mockingbird' by Harper Lee

Dylan likes how the story portrays how important it is to be a good and noble person in your community.  It can be a difficult task to stand up to the ugliness of discrimination and show a strong individual conscience. The story is told from the perspective of Scout, whose innocence becomes a lens for exploring many deep-seated social injustices such as racism and prejudice.

Cultural Captain, Wade, highly recommends the Meta Wars series by Jeff Norton

He likes the compelling narrative of the story.  It has cool ideas, concepts and avatars that are different from the real world and characters are fighting for their freedom.  He found it really intriguing and he read the whole series.  There are 4 books in the series.

School Captain, Matthew recommends the Jack West Series by Matthew Reilly.   

If you're craving a high-octane adventure that combines pulse-pounding action with fascinating historical mysteries, Matthew Reilly's "Seven Ancient Wonders" is your ultimate escape into a world of non-stop excitement and globe-trotting thrills. Jack West Jr., the book's brilliant and resourceful protagonist, will keep you on the edge of your seat as he races against ruthless international teams to uncover ancient secrets and prevent a world-changing catastrophe, making this novel a perfect read for teenage boys who love smart, fast-paced storytelling.

Academic Captain, Samuel highly recommends John Green's, "The Fault In Our Stars"

The Fault in Our Stars is a powerful and emotionally transformative novel that challenges teenage boys to look beyond surface-level experiences and embrace deep, authentic human connections. Through the raw and tender love story of Hazel and Augustus, Green masterfully explores themes of mortality, meaning, and the profound impact of vulnerability, offering young readers a nuanced perspective on love, loss, and the extraordinary resilience of the human spirit."

Ministry Captain, Leon T. highly recommends 'The Dry' by Jane Harper

Leon really enjoyed 'The Dry' by Jane Harper. It was one of the novels from one of his assessments when he was younger, and it was something that truly stood out to him. When Leon was much younger, he only enjoyed novels like the Wimpy Kid Series, and he did not really look towards further expanding his reading selection. When he became aware of this novel around year 9, it was special as it started his experience towards enjoying genres like murder and crime. The novel brings backs key moments about returning to a place with buried secrets and the tension increases throughout the plot. Since the novel is set in an Australian environment it brought connections we could understand compared to some other novels. He really enjoyed the novel, especially because of its tough journey throughout.