CNBNews

By Bud McKibban

Special To The NEWS

Former President Dwight D. Eisenhower is reported to have said, “Don’t be afraid to go into your library and read every book.”

His point, I believe, is that we should welcome new ideas as an important part of our life-long endeavor to become educated.

It follows that the contemplation of the thoughts and concepts contained in books can only make us better thinkers and more informed citizens.

This is the idea behind Gloucester City High School’s reading initiative, spearheaded by the Drop Everything and Read (DEAR) program.

We are also encouraging students – and we hope the community – to talk about what they are reading.

In March, we published some reading suggestions from the senior class. This month we are focusing on the choices of the junior class.

Cat’s Cradle by Kurt Vonnegut – Danielle Russo called it “interesting and entertaining.”

Through My Eyes by Tim Tebow – Austin Dobleman said it was “inspirational.”

Flowers foe Algernon by Daniel Keys – Jacqueline Gilbert described it as “heart wrenching.”

The Metamorphosis by Franz Kafka – Paige Kelly dubbed it “bizarre but interesting.”

The high school library, as well as the Gloucester City library, will be featuring these titles during April.

They are also readily available on any of the e-readers, so if one of our student recommendations sparks an interest, get hold of a copy of the text and enjoy a good read.

It would make President Eisenhower very proud.