What Your Teachers are Reading on Summer Break
It’s August, we have a few more weeks to relax and squeeze in another great read before returning to the normal school year grind. Besides reading your latest STROLL Spring Lake issue, of course, here are some great recommendations from our SLPS teachers. No spoilers here!

A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman
While this book was written more than 10 years ago, it was recently recommended to me by a friend. I finished it not too long ago, and it had me laughing and crying the whole way through. This book follows a grumpy man whose name is Ove. Ove had experienced a lot of loss and hardship in his life, and this story is one about his grief, but also of hope, as we watch Ove’s new neighbors pull him out of his grief, little by little. Ove finds a new purpose in his life as his neighbors are often tasking him with favors, and through these interactions, Ove starts to find happiness again.
Katie Sullivan
Media Center Paraprofessional
Spring Lake High School
Spring Lake High School
The Measure by Nikki Erlick
Follows eight characters whose lives are suddenly uprooted by a global phenomenon: every adult receives a box containing a single string that reveals the length of their life. Each faces the difficult choice of whether to open their box and know their fate or to leave it to destiny. Throughout the book, it explores questions about fate, choice, and the true meaning of life. The concept is thought-provoking and encourages the reader to consider what they would do if this were their situation.
Chandra Anderson
7th/8th Grade Resource Room
Spring Lake Middle School
Anything by Harlan Coben
My favorite author is Harlan Coben. He has books you won’t be able to set down. Exciting and multiple characters that could be a plot twist. He writes about communities and family secrets, and many more. His books are a quick read because they will keep you guessing. Some of his books were so well written that they were turned into movies on Netflix! Netflix dramas include STAY CLOSE, THE STRANGER, SAFE, THE FIVE, THE INNOCENT, and THE WOODS. I highly recommend that you read these good stories before indulging in Netflix. It is really fun to compare the similarities and differences between the books and the movies. If you enjoy suspenseful, thrilling books that you can read fast and want to be thrilled by their surprising endings, you need to read one of Harlan Coben's many books!
Beth Papes
SLIS/SLMS Special Education IRR Paraprofessional
Inner Excellence
When I choose a book to read in my free time, I tend to select one that is a very exciting, quick read, like something written by Colleen Hoover or Freida McFadden. A few months ago, I was watching a football game on TV and noticed something very interesting happen during the game. Philadelphia Eagles Wide Receiver AJ Brown was reading a book on the sidelines during a very important playoff game. As a football enthusiast and book lover like myself, I wondered what book he had to read during such a big game in his NFL career. That book was Inner Excellence: Train Your Mind for Extraordinary Performance and the Best Possible Life by Jim Murphy. Now that I have read this book, I can understand why AJ Brown needed a motivational pick-me-up during a football game. It is a very inspirational book to read. Inner Excellence helps improve your mental strength and inspires you to believe in yourself. While this book may be geared towards athletes, I feel that anyone could benefit from reading this book.
Jen Brewster
Spring Lake Middle School Instructional Paraprofessional