book reviews
Book reviews for scholastic growth; read material from the world's top educators with our collection of novels, memoirs, biographies, philosophical texts and textbooks.
The Day the Results Came In
The Day the Results Came In How One Group of Students Discovered More Than Just Their Grades The morning sun poured over the red-brick walls of St. Alder High School, turning the courtyard into a warm, golden glow. It was results day — the one date circled, highlighted, and whispered about for months. The gates had barely opened when clusters of students began to gather, envelopes clutched in nervous hands, their laughter and chatter hiding the shared thrum of anxiety beneath. Mia stood at the centre of it all, her stomach twisting in knots. She’d been dreaming about this day since the exams ended, running through every possible scenario in her head. She had studied harder than she ever had before — late-night flashcards, group calls, endless practice papers — but the uncertainty still gnawed at her. Around her, her friends—Eli, Zara, and Noah—were trying to look casual, leaning against the wall and joking about who would faint first. “Can’t believe this is it,” Noah said, spinning his envelope between his fingers. “Months of suffering in that library, and it all comes down to this piece of paper.” Zara laughed, though her voice trembled slightly. “If I open this and it says I passed maths, I’m framing it.” Mia smiled faintly, grateful for the light-heartedness. The sound of envelopes tearing open began to ripple through the courtyard. Gasps, squeals, sighs — all blending into a strange symphony of relief and emotion. She took a deep breath, felt her heartbeat in her fingertips, and opened hers. For a moment, all she saw were the numbers, neatly typed in black ink. Then they began to make sense. Her grades were better than she dared hope — not perfect, but enough. Enough to get into the university she wanted. Enough to feel that the long nights and self-doubt had been worth it. She looked up, a wide grin spreading across her face before she could stop it. “I did it!” she said, almost breathless. Zara let out a cheer. “You did? Let me see!” Within seconds, they were all comparing results — some shouting in triumph, some hugging in quiet relief. Eli, who had always been the calm one, smiled as he looked at his paper. “Looks like we’re all going to make it,” he said softly. But not everyone was smiling. A few steps away, another student sat on a bench, staring at her paper, tears welling up. Mia hesitated for a moment, then walked over. It was Sophie — someone she’d worked with on a group project but didn’t know well. “Hey,” Mia said gently. “You okay?” Sophie shook her head, trying to smile through her tears. “I didn’t get the grade I needed. I thought I would. I really thought I would.” Mia sat beside her. “I get it. It feels awful right now. But this isn’t the end. You’re still one of the hardest workers I know. You’ll find another way — you always do.” Sophie gave a small laugh at that. “You sound like a teacher.” “Guess I’ve heard enough pep talks to start giving them,” Mia said with a grin. As they sat together, the rest of the courtyard buzzed with life — laughter, chatter, hugs, and selfies. It was a celebration of more than just numbers on paper. It was a celebration of effort, friendship, resilience. When the group finally left the school grounds, the late-morning sun was shining even brighter. They walked down the familiar street, their envelopes now folded and tucked safely away, but their spirits light. There was something freeing about it — not just knowing their results, but realizing that they were moving forward, together. Later that day, when Mia’s mum asked how it went, she smiled and said, “It was a good day. We all learned something — and not just about grades.” Because in the end, the day the results came in wasn’t just about who scored what. It was about discovering what really mattered: courage, kindness, and the belief that every ending is just the beginning of something new.
By Muhammad Saad 4 months ago in Education
Porn's Effect on Mental Health and Intimacy. Content Warning. AI-Generated.
In the privacy of a screen, a vast and endless world of sexual content is available instantly and for free. For many, pornography is a source of entertainment, education, or a way to explore fantasies. However, a growing body of psychological and neurological research suggests that consistent consumption, particularly of modern internet pornography, can have a profound and often unintended impact on both mental health and the capacity for real-world intimacy. It functions as a double-edged sword, offering a temporary escape while potentially dulling the very tools we need for genuine connection.
By The 9x Fawdi4 months ago in Education
Globalisation and Holidays in New Zealand.
Globalisation and Holidays in New Zealand. Globalisation has a significant influence on how people in New Zealand celebrate holidays. Nowadays, people like to explore new types of celebrations from different countries and consumption of foreign food and decorations have increased. This essay will show how holiday celebrations have changed in Aotearoa.
By Alina Polkova4 months ago in Education
Learning Beyond Grades. AI-Generated.
When we think about education, most of us picture the same familiar scene — rows of desks, students bent over notebooks, and a teacher trying to explain something that half the class pretends to understand. The smell of chalk, the ring of the lunch bell, and the slow countdown to graduation.
By shakir hamid4 months ago in Education
The Young Millionaire
This is the foundational internal work required before any practical steps. IV. Pitfalls to Avoid 1. **Wealth is a Mindset, Not an Amount:** You must see yourself as a wealth-creator first. Your beliefs about money, success, and your own capabilities dictate your financial reality.
By StoryVerse4 months ago in Education
Is Porn the Silent Epidemic? A Deep Dive. Content Warning. AI-Generated.
In an age of hyper-connectivity, a new public health crisis is unfolding in the silence of our screens. Unlike traditional epidemics marked by physical symptoms, this one is neurological, psychological, and relational. It’s the silent epidemic of modern, hardcore internet pornography, and its effects are only beginning to be understood.
By The 9x Fawdi4 months ago in Education
The Silent Language of Eyes
The human eye has always been called the window to the soul. For centuries, poets, philosophers, and dreamers have tried to capture the mystery hidden behind a single glance. Some say the eyes can lie, while others argue that they reveal the deepest truths of the heart. But what happens when one look changes the course of an entire life? This is the story of Aria, a young woman whose gaze held the power of both strength and silence.
By Emranullah4 months ago in Education
Stop Negative Thinking
Negative thinking is more than just occasional worry or stress. It’s a pattern of thoughts that focuses on failure, self-doubt, and pessimism. These thoughts can affect your decisions, emotions, and even your physical health. Exercise: Write down recurring negative thoughts for one week. Seeing them on paper helps you understand their frequency and triggers.
By Fazal wahid 4 months ago in Education
When Alliance Meets Fracture: The U.S.–Israel Relationship in the Gaza War
For decades, the alliance between Israel and the United States has been described as “unshakeable.” But as the war in Gaza enters its third year, the nature of that alliance is being tested — not only by the strategic realities on the ground, but by questions of power, agency, morality and diplomacy.
By Fazal wahid 4 months ago in Education
Google Gemini: The Future of Artificial Intelligence
Google Gemini: The Future of Artificial Intelligence In the ever-evolving world of artificial intelligence, Google has taken another giant leap forward with Google Gemini — a next-generation AI model designed to push the boundaries of what machines can understand, create, and reason. Built on Google DeepMind’s latest research, Gemini represents not just an update to large language models, but a completely new way of integrating intelligence across multiple modes — text, image, audio, and video.
By waseem khan4 months ago in Education
Rich Dad Poor Dad: What the Rich Teach Their Kids About Money That the Poor and Middle Class Do
grew up with two fathers. One taught me how to work for money. The other taught me how to make money work for me. One said, “Go to school, get good grades, and find a safe job.”
By Fazal wahid 4 months ago in Education
