SCHOOL SPIRIT
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Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell
COMEDY MOVIE

Starring, written by, and directed by Tom Hanks. Larry Crowne enrolls in community college after his company is downsized. It's a fun flick with lots of laughs and deep cast. Appearances by Wilmer Valderrama, Rami Male, Bryan Cranston, and George Takei.

–Recommended by Bryan B.
BOOK
TRACY DEONN

It is a sci-fi fantasy that was inspired by King Arthur and Merlin. I have never read a book that captured the tales of King Arthur in a modern tale as well as this book. It is dark and exciting to be learning along with the main character secrets about herself and her family. It paints a young black girls experience in a white legacy society while struggling with her moms death at University of North Carolina. 

–Recommended by Sarah Rose
BOOK
HARRY ALLARD

Miss Nelson is Missing by James Marshall is one of my favorite children's books and always reminds me of going back to school. It is the story of a teacher who has very badly misbehaved children in her classroom, and decides to teach them a lesson. Dressing up as Miss Viola Swamp, she pretends to be a substitute teacher and is very mean. Realizing how much they love Miss Nelson, they are back to better behavior when she returns. To paraphrase an article, his books are deceptively simple with a knack for the ridiculous. The book is humorous and clever for both kids and adults with the quick wit and banter for which James Marshall is known. His illustrations are done in a washed-out color palette that exemplifies his work. 

–Recommended by Jennifer P.
BOOK
PATRICK NESS

You know all those YA fantasy / science-fiction novels where the main character is the Chosen One but also an ordinary high-school student? Well, this isn't one of those. This is the story of the kids who have to go to school with all of them

–Recommended by Alan

MOVIE

This movie never fails to make me smile. A romcom with a Shakespearean backstory plus the universal themes of high school awkwardness and teenage angst? Yes please. This movie has everything from musical numbers to amazing 90s fashion. If that's not enough to pull you in, there's the stellar performances of the main cast, including Julia Stiles, Heath Ledger, and Joseph Gordon-Levitt, to name a few. Kat, the main character, has a heart of gold that drives the plotline and every time I watch this movie, I am reminded by what an icon she is. 

–Recommended by Andrea
MOVIE

World's Greatest Dad is a dark dark comedy. It's bold, surprising, and worthy of its R-rating. Robin Williams plays against type as a frustrated high school poetry teacher who despicably exploits his insufferable son's embarrassing death. 

–Recommended by Bryan
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