Our next question: “What is something you’re hopeful about for the new year?” To take part, drop us a line via this form by 12pm on Tuesday, December 30.
Poon Tse-kiu, 12, Hong Kong Tang King Po College: The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan, the first instalment in the Percy Jackson & the Olympians series. I read it in Form One, and it sparked my love for reading. Percy taught me that vulnerability can be a strength. His dyslexia and ADHD, seen as weaknesses, turned out to be signs of his demigod status. This made me realise that what some view as flaws can actually be unique strengths.
The story brought ancient Greek myths to life, making them exciting and relevant. I learned about gods and monsters in a modern context, rather than just from textbooks. Most importantly, the book emphasises friendship and bravery. Percy, Annabeth and Grover support each other throughout their adventures, showing that loyalty and teamwork are crucial in facing life’s challenges.
Mok Kwan-yuen, 16, Fung Kai Liu Man Shek Tong Secondary School: The English novelisation of Suzume, written by the director Makoto Shinkai. The scene where Suzume meets her younger self at the end of her journey and delivers the message “I am your tomorrow” is one of the most moving depictions of self-healing in contemporary literature.
Chu Tsz-ming, 17, Christian Alliance SC Chan Memorial College: Ernest Hemingway’s The Old Man and the Sea. The story centres on an old fisherman who battles a giant marlin. It seems simple, but eventually teaches us resilience, dignity and human spirit. The old man, Santiago, not only fights the marlin and the sea but also, in time, loneliness. Despite failure seeming unavoidable, he never gives up.
The novel taught me that the real victory is not material wealth but courage. Even if we fail in the end, if we have tried our best like the old man, it’s a victory. The story tells us that strength is measured by willpower. It is encouraging, reminding us that even when we face adversity, we must still have an indomitable fighting spirit.
Jovina Chung, 12, St Mary’s Canossian College: The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald. The tragic novel explores the elusive nature of the American Dream. The novel begins with Nick Carraway, the narrator, moving to the fictional West Egg on Long Island in New York, where he becomes intrigued by his mysterious neighbour, Jay Gatsby. The wealthy, mysterious millionaire is obsessed with reuniting with his former lover, Daisy Buchanan. But at the end, Gatsby is left isolated, leading to a tragic death. This story is not only touching and romantic but also carries a meaningful moral.
Yao Likming, 14, Fung Kai No 1 Secondary School: The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry is not just a children’s story but also a wise classic that touches readers of all ages. What drew me in most was the deep meaning behind its simple plot. The prince visits many planets and meets absurd people – a king with empty fame, a businessman counting stars blindly. These characters show how adults get lost in greed and vanity, forgetting life’s pure joy. The fox’s lesson, “You become responsible, forever, for what you have tamed,” teaches me to cherish what I care about. The book’s simple, warm language makes it easy to read yet thought-provoking. It reminds me to keep a pure heart.
Yip Oi-ying, 17, Pui Kiu College: The Hunger Games forced me to feel the story, not just read it, from Katniss’ terror in the arena to her disgust at the Capitol’s extravagance. I was thrown into a brutal world where defying a cruel government meant navigating violence, politics and a fight for life. The book’s darkness was unsettling but it forced me to confront hard truths about power and sacrifice. It became more than a dystopian adventure; it became a lesson about how unfair the world can be and how the media can turn suffering into entertainment for people to watch.
Eunice Chu, 12, St Paul’s Convent School: The Once Upon a Broken Heart series by Stephanie Garber. The romantic subplot, alongside the travels and hardships of the main characters, Evangeline and Jacks, was captivating. This was by far the best enemies-to-lovers story ever, and I loved how the characters grew more and more endearing with each chapter. The characters’ romance was woven and embedded into the storyline, but it wasn’t forced; it was subtle and simply adorable.
Juniper Lai Hiu-yan, 12, St Paul’s Co-educational College: The Wishing Spell from the series, The Land of Stories by Chris Colfer. The book is about twins, Alex and Conner, who accidentally travel into a magical book and must try to get back to their world by following a journal that leads them to the Wishing Spell. This book blends adventure and fantasy and features characters from our childhood stories. I love it because it reminds me of all the stories I read when I was a kid, and it also reminds me not to judge others too quickly if I have not walked a mile in their shoes.
Phoenix Cheung, 13, POCA Wong Siu Ching Secondary School: The Midnight Library by Matt Haig is the most thoughtful and meaningful novel I have ever encountered. It follows the main character, Nora Seed, on her journey as she tries out different lives. By the end, she realises that the life she needed was the one she already had. The story explores themes of life and death, powerfully reminding us to cherish our current lives and think positively.
Sophie Ng, 13, Holy Trinity College: The Kane Chronicles: The Red Pyramid. It explores mysterious Egyptian magic and the Duat, a world that exists beyond our mortal one. I read this book because I found it randomly at the library. I did not know anything about Egyptian history.
After reading, my mind wandered through the book's scenes, imagining how the main characters, Carter and Sadie, would fight the Red Lord. The book was unforgettable, and I started exploring more Egyptian gods, like Horus, Isis and Osiris. I read the book a year ago, but the scenes are still printed in my mind, and some of my writing has also been influenced by it. I am sure almost anyone would find it unforgettable.
