Fictional Students Who Are Not Ready For Back To School
The air is cooling, the leaves are changing, and school bells everywhere are starting to ring. Hang on, that can’t be right! Summer just started. The pool’s still open. We forgot to have fun fun fun! To honor those of you who are in denial about classes starting up again, here are a few of our favorite young adult characters who are so not ready to go back to school.
Noah from I’ll Give You the Sun by Jandy Nelson
This time last year, Noah thought that he’d be attending the neighborhood’s prestigious art school, but that ship has sailed. Instead his twin sister Jude has assumed that role and – in Noah’s mind – his place in class. (She’s never expressed an interest in art before! So not fair.) And we agree, Noah. It’s really difficult to take an interest in high school when your dream campus was well within reach. Our challenge to Noah is to make the most of the situation. And maybe some rogue figure drawing through a college campus window.
Laura Jean from To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before by Jenny Han
Laura Jean would call all of her former crushes personally if it meant that the summer would never end. It’s not that she particularly hates school. It’s just that this is the year her older sister Margot leaves for college. For years sisters Margot, Laura Jean, and Kitty were the inseparable Song Girls. Now what are they? We understand, Laura Jean. It’s difficult to see a sibling move away. But think of how much sweeter that reunion will be. Our challenge to Laura Jean is to survive her little sister Kitty’s hijinks during the school year and have a taste of being the oldest sibling in the house. And maybe some thoughtful baking to show Margot how much she missed her.
Emily from Since You’ve Been Gone by Morgan Matson
If Emily had her way, it would just be a quiet summer hanging out with her best friend Sloane. But Sloane disappeared and left her a list of thirteen tasks to accomplish before school starts. And what started as a super odd scavenger hunt has quickly turned into a direct line to Sloane’s personality. And while theoretically the completion of the list equals time with Sloane as the prize, reality’s starting to become a difficult thing to face. Maybe it would be best if this summer never ended? We can completely relate, Emily. Friendships evolve in ways we don’t always expect and life can offer some tough realities to face. Our challenge to Emily is to ride out that list and embrace that evolving friendship on the other end of this staycation. And maybe kiss a boy or two.
