A Walk to Remember by Nicholas Sparks

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Nicholas Sparks’ A Walk to Remember is a classic “coming-of-age” novel that is a simple enough read to allow high school students to relate to the storyline. When Landon Carter finally accepts his feelings for Jamie, who has helped him become a better person in more ways that either of them know of, he reaches the pinnacle of his transformation from a troubled and resentful teenager into a respectful and selfless young man. A text included on a required reading list for high school students should have a theme that allows them to relate to the characters, to figuratively put themselves in their shoes and feel as if they are part of the story. It should also develop the students’ moral compass and teach them a valuable lesson that will help them throughout their lives. A Walk To Remember is a great Coming-of-Age novel for high school students to read because it allows students to hear the main character’s voice change and mature throughout the novel and provides an opportunity for them to reflect on whether it is best to listen to logic or to listen to one’s heart, Landon’s personal growth, and the brevity of life. Landon Carter is a typical high school senior who’s always behaved himself based on logic, but as he encounters many fateful events that grant him a sense of self-awareness he realizes who he truly is, and is appalled by what he finds. Throughout the story, Landon spends more and more time with Jamie, a girl who is ousted by most of the senior class because of her religious devotion. Although he is not thrilled by her company at first, he truly ends up appreciating what she represents, which we see when he says, “The more I hung around Jamie, the more I realized she had a lot of different emotions… that was the first tim... ... middle of paper ... ...ould be a part of required reading lists for high school students because it introduces them to concepts like logic and feelings, levels of maturity, and the brevity of life that allow students to find their true calling. This novel will teach them to develop the skills they need to make conscious decisions, whether they base them on logic or they go with their hearts as well as developing the right level of maturity they need to succeed in the real world. Students need to be able to reflect on matters that will be meaningful regarding the decisions they will have to make in the future so that they are knowledgeable about their choices. This novel is a great example of how a required book should teach students an indispensable lesson about logic, feelings, and moral values. Works Cited Sparks, Nicholas. A Walk to Remember. New York: Warner Books, 1999. Print.

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