Novels on high school list to be discussed at libraries
BY REBECCA MORTON
Staff Writer

MARLBORO - High school students will have the opportunity to get an advance look at their required school reading at the Marlboro library, Wyn-crest Road.

On Aug. 20 a group discussion will be held to highlight the novel "The Catcher in the Rye" by J.D. Salinger, and on Aug. 23 the discussion will be about "Lord of the Flies" by William Golding. On both nights the discussion will run from 7-8 p.m.

Both of these novels are required reading for students in the Freehold Regional High School District. Students in English II Academic and Honors classes read Salinger's 1951 novel, while students in English III Academic and Honors classes read Golding's 1954 work.

According to librarian Jennifer King, the library is holding the discussions to allow students to gain extra insight into material they will be reading during the school year. Students will have a chance to ask questions to help ensure that the concepts and themes of the novels are understood.

The book discussions began last year, according to King. She said the turnout was not as high as organizers had hoped for. This year the organizers are hoping that with the date of the discussions being closer to start of school more students will participate.

According to the Merriam-Webster Encyclopedia of Literature description of "The Catcher in the Rye," "The influential and widely acclaimed story details the two days in the life of 16-year-old Holden Caulfield after he has been expelled from prep school. Confused and disillusioned, he searches for truth and rails against the 'phoniness' of the adult world. He ends up exhausted and emotionally ill, in a psychiatrist's office. After he recovers from his breakdown, Holden relates his experiences to the reader."

In an entry about "Lord of the Flies," the Internet Web site Amazon says, "William Golding's classic novel of primitive savagery and survival is one of the most vividly realized and riveting works in modern fiction.

The tale begins after a plane wreck deposits a group of English school boys, ages 6 to 12, on an isolated tropical island. Their struggle to survive and impose order quickly evolves from a battle against nature into a battle against their own primitive instincts. Golding's portrayal of the collapse of social order into chaos draws the fine line between innocence and savagery."

Other required readings such as "Night" by Elie Wiesel and "Fahrenheit 451" by Ray Bradbury will be discussed at different branches of the Monmouth County Library System. A discussion of "Night" will be held at the Monmouth County Library Headquarters, Symmes Drive, Manalapan, on Aug. 21, while "Fahrenheit 451" will be discussed at the Howell library, Old Tavern Road, on Aug. 22. Registration is required for the discussion at the Howell library. For more information call (732) 938-2300.