Scott Voss – Language Arts teacher

1.A Prayer for Owen Meany, by John Irving.

“It’s spiritual, it’s funny, and it’s bizarre.  Owen Meany represents the best of faith and humanity.”

2.Infinite Jest, by David Foster Wallace.

“I can’t begin to explain how weird and complex this story is. But even twenty years after reading it, I still recall scenes from the story. I can’t say I understood it all, but I certainly won’t forget it.” 

3. Their Eyes Were Watching God, by Zora Neale Hurston.

 “I love the story of Hurston and the story of her main character Janie. At times, it reads like poetry, and some of the lines stick with you for a long time.”

4. Just Mercy, by Bryan Stevenson

“He writes of his work defending death row inmates and the injustices that we have grown comfortable with. His argument is that we are all broken and realizing this helps us to acknowledge the humanity of others.”

5. The Round House, by Louise Erdich.

“I love the characters: the imperfect narrator, the dirty, old grandpa, the Aunt who is an ex-stripper, and a mom devastated by trauma. At its core, the story is about a group of people living on the edges of very difficult lives, yet finding hope, joy, and humor amidst the pain.”