Good Life Award - Suggested Reading & Viewing
Get inspired to live your own good life!
Check out these great books and movies for some inspirational stories and some good suggestions on how to be good, do good, have fun, and be happy.
Movies:
Amazing Grace
Based on the life of William Wilberforce, his passion, and perseverance to pass a law ending the slave trade in the late 18th century, and the people, including his minister, who pushed him to pursue it to the end.
The Express: the Ernie Davis Story
The true story of Ernie Davis, who overcame impossible odds to win college football's greatest honor, the Heisman trophy.
Freedom Writers
A teacher and 150 teens use writing to change themselves and the world around them.
Pay It Forward
Inspired by an assignment from his teacher, a young boy attempts to make the world a better place by doing good deeds for three strangers, paying them "forward" instead of paying someone back.
Fiction Books:
The Best Bad Luck I Ever Had by Kristin Levine
In Moundville, Alabama, in 1917, twelve-year-old Dit hopes the new postmaster will have a son his age, but instead he meets Emma, who is black, and their friendship challenges accepted ways of thinking and leads them to save the life of a condemned man.
Dairy Queen by Catherine Gilbert Murdock
After spending her summer running the family farm and training the quarterback for her school's rival football team, sixteen-year-old D.J. decides to go out for the sport herself, not anticipating the reactions of those around her.
Evolution, Me, and Other Freaks of Nature by Robin Brande
High School freshman Mena clashes with her parents and former friends when she takes a stand for something she believes in.
If a Tree Falls at Lunch Period by Gennifer Choldenko
Kirsten and Walk, seventh-graders at an elite private school, alternate telling how race, wealth, weight, and other issues shape their relationships as they and other misfits stand up to a mean but influential classmate, even as they are uncovering a long-kept secret about themselves.
Nonfiction Books:
It’s Your World--If You Don’t Like It, Change It: Activism for Teenagers by Mikki Halpin
A collection of accounts and ideas teens can use to help change their school or community.
MySpace, Our Planet: Change is Possible by the MySpace Community with Jeca Taudte
A complete how-to guide on saving the environment, changing the world, and making a difference.
Reaching Your Goals: The Ultimate Teen Guide
Talks about setting goals, five steps to reach them, and how to find a path in life.
The Success Principles for Teens: How to Get From Where You Are to Where You Want to Be by Jack Canfield and Kent Healy
A collection of the 23 most important success strategies to illustrate the concept that with the right tools, anyone can be successful.
Walking Tall: How to Build Confidence and Be the Best You Can Be by Marie-Jose Auderset
Provides strategies for building confidence and overcoming obstacles.