Deadly Disease Sweeping Through Western Canada High

By: Molly M.

Western Canada has had a lively year filled with two measles outbreaks and enough common colds and virus’ to fill up a small hospital, but we have seen nothing as devastating to the student body as this new disease. Maybe you’ve heard of it, almost everyone has suffered from it, and maybe you’ve even lost loved ones to it. This seasonal disease that rips through the student body every year has finally made its reappearance.

It is called Summeritis.

Summeritis, for those of you who are unsure, is a disease that typically strikes in the last month of school before the student body is free to enjoy a summer free from homework and stress. The tragic part of Summeritis is that many students have symptoms and suffer through it without even being aware that their motivation is being torn to shreds by this malicious virus.
Its symptoms include:

• lack of motivation to do anything that doesn’t involve the outdoors
• chronic procrastination
• irritability
• inability to pay attention
• fidgeting

And the list goes on. Since Summeritis is a seasonal affliction, most of the student body is able to suffer through these rough couple of weeks before the freedom of summer soothes all our pain. Unfortunately, Summeritis isn’t the only disease making its way through Western Canada. Senioritis, an affliction with similar symptoms has been striking down many of our grade twelve students. Unlike Summeritis, Senioritis affects the most senior students of our school. With graduation and the end of high school so close, the grade twelve’s immune system, which  stops procrastination and laziness, simply isn’t able to protect them from Senioritis. It is estimated that 104% of all students experience either Summeritis or Senioritis, or both at the same time (bless their poor hearts).

When Summeritis and Senioritis are coupled together, waking up in the morning requires a forty-five minute pep talk. Actually going to school and making good use of one’s time is another pep talk altogether.

There is no cure for either of these diseases, but that doesn’t mean that there isn’t methods of easing the symptoms. If you are suffering from either of the disease mentioned above, please try the following methods to overcome the struggle that Summeritis brings.

If you can, try your best to keep up to date with all your homework and tests. It seems almost impossible to keep working while affected by Summeritis, but you can do it! Try to do a little bit of work every evening. It makes a difference. If that doesn’t work, take a minute out of your day to think about how behind you are in all your classes. The panic might cause you to hyperventilate and curl up into a ball and cry, but once it passes there is nothing more powerful than a bit of terror to get your textbooks open.

Most importantly, remember that Summeritis will pass. When afflicted with Summeritis, days drag on and everything seems hopeless, but Summer is so close. Just buckle down, try to study and soon we’ll be free.

Tips to become more involved.

By: Nicole M.

Western Canada is one of Calgary’s biggest schools, with over 2000 students and multiple clubs going on all at the same time, the concept of getting involved seems overwhelming. However the bigger the school, the more options that are available to you! Here are a few tips on how to get involved at Western Canada.

1. Don’t be afraid to make new friends, especially make friends in classes that you enjoy. They might have information on programs and clubs that might interest you. Also if they are a part of a club it will become easier for you to join since you know someone who belongs to it.
2. Show up at Club Day! Western Canada has so many clubs that they use up the entire gym to promote them. So why not take that opportunity to see what the school has to offer and choose from there !
3. Visit the career center! The career center is filled with many opportunities that could help you become involved at school but also activities that could benefit your career.  The center is also in constant contact with school and universities therefore they are constantly updated on programs and affairs.
4. Ask your teachers about extra-curricular activities that are available, maybe they know about programs that maybe weren’t mentioned. Also they may be quick to alert you about the most recent opportunities regarding the subject they teach,
5. Keep your eyes open! Opportunities present themselves all along Western’s walls, maybe the next time you go to the bathroom take a look around all the walls. The walls frequently have posters that reflect upcoming events and activities.
6. Keep an open mind! Sometimes clubs and activities may not necessarily appeal to our taste but give it a try. There is no consequence for not liking something, but there is a consequence if you don’t try. Just stay focused on what you like and experiment with what you aren’t sure of.

Here are a couple tips to help you become more involved in Western Canada’s community. Becoming involved gives you more opportunities to make new friends and they can help you develop leadership attributes and create a wonderful resume.

Puzzle Challenge

Each of the small squares in the grid below contains either A, B or C. Every row, column and each of the two long diagonals has exactly two of each letter. The information in the clues refers only the squares in that row or column. To help you solve this problem there are as many clues as you will need! Can you tell the letter in each square?

ACROSS

1. The Bs are further right than the As.
2. Each B is directly next to and right of a C.
3. The As are further right than the Bs.
4. The As are further right than the Bs.
5. The Cs are not in adjacent squares.
6. The Bs are further right than the As.

DOWN

1. The Cs are between the As.
2. The Bs are higher than the Cs.
3. The Bs are lower than the Cs.
4. The As are between the Bs.
5. The Bs are lower than the Cs.

Senioritis: It’s Here

By: Myra K.

Senioritis n. a crippling disease that strikes high school seniors. Symptoms include: laziness, an over-excessive donning of track pants, old athletic shirts, sweatpants, athletic shorts, and sweatshirts. This condition also features a lack of academic motivation, manifested in a low drive to study, repeated absences from school, and a generally dismissive attitude. The only known cure is a phenomenon known as the following: Graduation.

We are just a short time away from this miraculous remedy. Senioritis has definitely struck Calgary's Western Canada High School. Myself included.

When your high school career is drawing to a close, and you begin to catch a glimpse of the light at the back of the thirteen year-long tunnel (I promise, it’s there!), many high school students begin to fall behind in school. The thought of leaving this institution, patron of fifteen-page essays, multiple biology labs, and two page math formulas, it is quite exciting, to say the least.

Once you receive your first university acceptance, you’re ready. The grades you have worked so hard for have finally paid off. You’re set up for a bright and prosperous future (unless you’re pursuing an Arts degree, like I am; perhaps you science people are on to something) ...or so you think.

But, unfortunately, you still have to go to school. Now, Sparknotes suddenly becomes your best buddy, and with it, last-minute studying (at this point, glancing at some helpful reading guide a full six-hour night before, and not five minutes prior, to class can be called true effort) and Tim Hortons or Starbucks in the morning have become a complete necessity, the lack of which would cause certain death. Sure, you might not be that tired from yesterday’s workload, because, who are we kidding? You stayed up late catching up on the third season of The Walking Dead and New Girl. But even so, the taste of chocolate-diluted caffeine just sounds so... appealing. You might be five minutes late to class... but skipping the morning announcements (who listens to them anyway?) all seems soo worth it when you could have a warm and delicious coffee in your hand.

So, how can we cure this crippling disease that has become a pandemic among twelfth-grade students? According to Urban Dictionary, the phenomenon of graduation is the only known remedy.

My advice? Plan beforehand. Visit the websites of those universities in which you’re interested and figure out the minimum average requirement needed to retain your offer of admission. Aim to maintain an average that’s at least five percent above your favourite institution’s cutoff. This will remind you that keeping this average is allowing you to achieve your own future goals. This way, you can focus just enough on school so that you maintain your admission offers while still enjoying your time left at Western. After all, who are we kidding? Sometimes you just need to close that book, turn on the TV, and enjoy some good, late-night zombie killing. Hold on, because there are only a few more days of high school left, Class of 2013!

A Tricky Treat to Master: CROISSANTS

By: Laurie L-G.

The idea of flavoured croissants first occurred to me after hearing about the blue cheese kimchi croissant at Momofuku, in New York. Their approach was simple and rather clever: to mix the flavourings into the butter that is then folded into the dough.

In my own experimentation, based off their method, I found that due to the additions in a couple of the croissant types (ex. the chestnut and pistachio croissants), the dough was actually a lot easier to roll and handle, as the butter was softened. The coconut croissant was the most difficult, as it was hard to break up the coconut, and when chilled, held together in hard pieces that were difficult to roll out and often broke through the thin skin of dough between layers. As a result, most of them turned out quite deformed due to the difficulty I had in stretching the dough. Additions to the orange-lavender croissant were minor, so this croissant turned out the best, whereas, possibly due to the quantity of water in the chestnut paste, the chestnut croissant collapsed after baking.

In the future, I would try using additions with little water content, or perhaps simply sticking with filling (in replacement of the scrap of dough used to plump the middle) as an adaptation less detrimental to the structure.

Croissants

Loosely based off Baking with Julia edited by Dorie Greenspan

Dough:

• 3 tsp active dry yeast
• ¼ cup warm water
• 3 ¾ cup flour
• 2 tsp salt
• ¼ cup sugar
• 1 cup milk

Butter:

1. 1 stick butter + 1 tbsp + 1/3 cup chestnut puree + 3 tbsp flour + 3 tbsp sugar
2. 1 stick butter + 1 tbsp + zest of 1 (large) orange + 1 ½ tsp dried lavender + 1 tbsp flour + 3 tbsp sugar
3. 1 stick butter + 1/4 cup softened coconut + 2 tbsp flour + 3 tbsp sugar
4. 1 stick butter + 1 tbsp 1/3 cup ground salted pistachio + 1 tbsp flour + 3 tbsp sugar

Let butter warm at room temperature, cut into pieces, until just soft enough to cream with additions. Mold butter mixtures into a 3” by 3” square—this will be messy and difficult if they are too warm. Wrap in plastic wrap and chill for at least 1-2 hours.

Divide dough into four; each piece should weigh a bit over 200 g. Roll dough into a 6” by 6“ circle, with thinner edges than the middle. Centre butter, stretch and fold over dough to make a square packet, sealing the edges well. Hit dough with rolling pin to evenly distribute butter in packet. Proceed with first fold unless dough and butter are too warm.

First fold: Roll dough so that it is 7” by 12”. Fold the dough into thirds in order to end up with a packet around 7” by 4”. Return dough to fridge for at least one hour.

Second fold: Repeat process of first fold.

Final fold: Instead of folding into three, fold each edge into the middle and then fold the two sides together, folding the dough into quarters. It will be around 7” by 3”.

Preparation:

Roll out into a 15” x 10” rectangle. Fold in half so that it is around 7.5” x 10”. Trim off the uneven edges and divide the rectangle into two, widthwise. Divide each half in two along the diagonal, unfold each pair of triangles, and cut apart; you should have 8. Stack and well cover the dough so that it does not form a skin.

To form the croissants:

Moisten your hands. Stretch the base, and then gently stretch to double the length of each piece of dough, or as far as you can go without tearing it. Lay on the counter, placing a small piece of scrap dough on the base to plump the middle. Fold some dough over, pressing the ends down to seal. Roll the croissant, starting from the base, towards the point. Work fairly quickly so that none of the unrolled triangles forms a skin.

Arrange on parchment covered sheet pans—you’ll likely need three. Brush croissants with 1 egg beaten with a bit of water. Let rise, uncovered, in an oven to avoid drafts and prevent them from forming too much of a skin. You can put a pan of very warm water in the bottom so that the steam will prevent a skin from forming; however, you have to be sure that it will not pre-melt the butter in the croissants. Allow them to proof until well risen (around 1-2 hours).

Baking:

Divide oven racks into thirds, preheat to 350 degrees. Lightly brush once more with egg wash, and bake for 12 minutes. Rotate, and bake for another 5 minutes or until cooked through and well browned.

The Kite Runner Flies Into Theatre Calgary

By: Sarena D.

*First appeared on www.youthareawesome.com

“There is a way to be good again” and so begins Theatre Calgary’s adaptation of The Kite Runner. I read Khaled Hosseini’s masterpiece a few years ago, and I was overjoyed to be given a chance to see playwright Mathew Spangler’s adaptation. Having been a while since I had read the novel, the details were a little fuzzy in my mind, but I remembered the book as being both heart-wrenching and poignant and I was very curious to see if a two hour stage-play could match the depth of emotion I had felt when reading the novel.

The story itself is steeped in Afghanistan’s rich history. It begins with Hassan, a Hazara boy, and his father who live as servants to a wealthy Pashtun man and his young son, Amir, in Kabul. It is important to note that the Pashtuns and the Hazaras are two of the largest Afghan ethnic groups and are also the most divided. The Pashtuns are mainly Sunni Muslims and dominate Afghan culture and politics, while the Hazaras are discriminated against in society and are a Shi’a Muslim minority. Amir initially grows up oblivious to this cultural divide, as he and Hassan begin as fast friends, while “Baba”, Amir’s father, considers Hassan to be just as much a son to him as to Amir. As time goes on, the boys begin to feel the disconnect between their cultures, for they are both publically humiliated by the cruel boys in the neighbourhood for associating with each other. Kite fighting is one of the only things that truly keeps Amir and Hassan together. Kite fighting was of the most fun, but competitive sports in Afghan history, before the Taliban banned it. Together, Hassan and Amir form a fierce team and go on to participate in the largest kite tournament in twenty-five years. It is after this that the boys’ lives change forever, as the unspeakable happens. Soon after, Hassan and his father resign as Baba’s servants and Amir and his father make the long trek together to San Francisco, to escape the mounting political turmoil in Afghanistan. Amir has lost his devoted friend who had always pledged, “For you, a thousand times over,” despite the abuses he receives from Amir and the community. In his heart, Amir knows that this is the last he will see of Hassan and he is wracked with guilt for a secret that blackens his heart from the day of the tournament onward.

I have deliberately kept the details here very vague so as not to spoil the book for those of you who have not yet read it. Long story short, although Amir makes a life for himself in America as a writer and eventually finds a wife, his past continues to haunt him. One day, due to a surprising phone call from a family friend still in Kabul, Amir finds that he must visit the now war-torn Afghanistan, ruled by the Taliban, which resembles nothing of the country of his childhood. And indeed, there is a way for him to be good again, to right the wrongs of his past and to finally honour Hassan’s loyalty. Throughout the play, the kite remains a symbol of Hassan’s guilt, his path to redemption, and at the finale, soars as an emblem of new beginnings.

I was definitely blown away on February twenty-third at the skill exhibited when transferring this globally renowned work to the stage. During the performance, the older Amir narrates his story from the beginning, in the midst of the action going on with his younger self and with the young Hassan. The transition from the Afghanistan of his childhood to America, and back again to his home country, is seamless, accompanied by a beautiful set and gorgeous lighting. The director even found a way to make the kites “fly” on stage, and this, combined with the presence of a tabla player for a live soundtrack, made the experience all the more culturally rich. In addition, the plot twists in the book were cleverly portrayed on stage, as I heard some audience members gasp more than once when key details of the story were revealed. This heartbreaking and touching play was met with a well-deserved standing ovation at the end.

Eight Inspired Wish-list Items You Didn’t Know Existed

By: Asra
Christmas may be over until 300-something days into the future, but it’s never too early to start creating a list for when your relatives or friends ask what you want for the holidays coming up once again in 2013! I did some digging around, looking at ideas I first heard from OMG Facts, at school, or out in the city, and there are tons of great gifts to discover, from those under ten dollars to more substantial birthday/celebration/Christmas presents.

De Père en flic -$14.99 in HD on iTunes
This one of the most popular Québécois comedies in years. Don’t be discouraged by the French title. I can’t even count how many non-Francophones I have forced to sit on my couch and watch this film with English subtitles. For a bit of a synopsis, a father-son cop duo, who can’t stand one another, go undercover on a sort of father-son therapy camping trip to get information out of a criminal defence lawyer, who’s also on the trip with his suicidal son. Along the way, the cop son, played by comedian, Louis-Jose Houde (who I may or may not have spotted in Montreal on the SSUNS trip!), is pushed into a lake by his father, screaming «J’ai un têtard dans mes culottes! » (“There’s a tadpole in my underwear!”). The movie continues with its comedic plot, featuring many misadventures for the protagonists. This movie is available on Blu-ray and on iTunes, and is a lot more entertaining than most French movies. And you thought Brice de Nice was funny!

Inkless Metal Pen - $27.99
Those of us in IB know that with the HI, G4, P1, EE, etc. due sometime in the next several months, long-lasting pens are of the essence. A Seven-Year Pen from Indigo? It only lasts that long if you write a mere two metres of text a day. That’s optimistic. Here’s where this neat invention comes in. It supposedly lasts a lifetime (until we snap it in a fit of stress) since it writes with a metal alloy that uses minuscule bits of metal, so small that you can’t notice they’re gone from the tip of the pen. It writes just like a pencil, but won’t smudge (yes!). So there you go, the Everlasting Gobstopper for we academics!

Extra Dessert Delights Gum
To everyone that I’ve turned into a gum addict this year, I have two things to say: one, I’m sorry, and two, put it on your wish-list because we Canadians can now buy it off Amazon, as opposed to having to stock up in the US every summer! Extra Dessert Delights Gum costs $14.51 and up for a case of ten packs that come in flavours like Root Beer Float, Rainbow Sherbet, and Key Lime Pie. Who wouldn’t want an edible gift that lasts months, even if consumed daily?

David’s Tea Stainless Steel Travel Press - $34.99 and/or Noble Glass Travel Mug – $24.50
The travel mug above is genius. Bet you didn’t know that it keeps tea/coffee/other caffeinated drinks warm from your six am bus ride, to Theory of Knowledge until lunch. Both mugs have removable mesh filters to keep your loose-leaf tea brewing all day without those annoying mesh balls that are impossible to close. If you already have plenty of travel mugs, ask for a tin of David’s Tea, perfect for homemade tea lattes. Some great flavours include Birthday Cake (you can smell it for miles), Cookie Dough, Crème Brulee, Cinnamon Heart, and Lime Gelato (which happens to taste like Key Lime Pie. Think I’m obsessed yet? You will be too.

Tetris Animated Alarm Clock - $29.99 and/or Clocky Robotic Alarm $38.99+
Sleep. The lack of sleep is one of the biggest problems plaguing students nowadays. Unfortunately, no one can give you a guaranteed first period spare or a nap time at school, but these two creative alarm clocks can make waking up more entertaining and even more effective. For those of you stuck in the Breakfast Club era, there is a Tetris-themed animated alarm clock that wakes you up with the Tetris theme song and measures minutes passing with blocks falling down the display screen. If that’s not incentive enough to get up and finish last night’s homework, then consider the Clocky Robotic Alarm. Clocky will jump off your bedside table, roll away from your bed in the morning, and shriek until you get up and chase after it. It sounds nearly as effective as a sibling running in and grabbing your phone, only Clocky won’t text all your friends!

Pottery Barn Teen Liquid Image Video Snow Goggles - $299.99
These could be a great gift for anyone who loves skiing, snowboarding or making action videos. These goggles do more than just shield your eyes; they have a camera that records up to two hours of HD video. If you already have an iPod, phone, laptop, and so on, these would make a great new tech gadget for taking videos at C.O.P. or in the mountains. These state-of-the art goggles are destined to make all your friends extremely jealous!

Grow Your Own Coffee Kit - $7.99
Pfft. Who needs Starbucks? Well, I do. If you’re tired of waiting in line to pay three to five dollars for whatever it is you need to wake up before class, growing your own coffee at home might be a great experience and even a way to get CAS hours. This unique gift requires creativity and patience, but imagine becoming that special person who can give extra cups of coffee to the needy on a cold winter’s day. Or maybe not. But either way, it’ll get you your caffeine for much less than the overpriced coffee shops of today.

Zwipes Notebooks and Binders (Various prices under $15)
Do you love to doodle but hate having little drawings everywhere, creeping over your notes? The Zwipes line of stationary is like your own personal whiteboard. Draw all you like on the cover and take notes inside. The markers come with a coloured felt side and an eraser that wipes the marker off, or even Sharpie on some surfaces. Just don’t try to erase the Zwipes markers off of paper. It won’t work. I tried.

So basically, my point is, there’s something for everyone out there, available either in stores we have here in Calgary or within a few days’ shipping distance. So next time your parents/grandparents/ (insert other family member here) ask you what you’d like, there’s no reason to answer with the uninspired answer of “a mall gift card” or, even worse, “money,” because you’ll have a list of way cooler gadgets just for you.

The Most Wonderful Time of The Year - Well, Almost…

By Hailey S.

It’s winter again! ‘Tis the season your winter jacket becomes your new best friend. These are the months that have us all posing the same question: Why aren’t we living in Hawaii?

Yes folks: it is winter. You will go to school while it’s still dark and get back home when darkness has come again. Brrrr! Well I’m about to remind you of some of the best parts of wintertime that somehow, can also turn into the worst parts of wintertime and it is impossible to avoid.

1. Sipping a Warm Drink by the Fire.
   It has been a long week and you have had a ton of exams to study for and all you want is some time to unwind. Sitting next to the fireplace, you indulge in your newly bought Starbucks grande-mocha-extra-hot-chocolate-something drink. Nothing could go wrong, right? Right…that is until you burn your tongue because you did not expect your beloved beverage to be that hot. Ouch! Burning your tongue is one of the worst feelings ever, especially when you have the yummiest drink in your hand. All you wanted to do was enjoy your beverage in peace, but instead, you suffer in pain and regret that you took a sip too quickly. The rest of your drink is impossible to enjoy without causing more pain, and this memory may even haunt you every time you eat or drink something warm. Don’t say I didn’t warn you!
   
2. Hat Hair
   To leave the house during winter (especially in Calgary), you need a sweater, a winter coat, winter boots, a scarf, mittens, leg warmers, fuzzy socks and of course, the dreaded tuque. You can’t deny that hats are the worst of the suffocating warm clothes necessary during the winter season. You can’t feel your ears while you are waiting for the bus in the mornings, so you have no choice but to throw one on. All is fine, until you reach your locker at school where you are unaware of the mess just waiting to be uncovered. You know that under that wool chapeau of yours, there is a mane of static-lathered hair that will stick out in every direction possible. The best you can do is smile, and try to be proud of the new frizzy hair you’ve acquired for the rest of the day.
   
3. Wishing to Have a Lazy Day
   The snow never stops falling and your alarm clock keeps on ringing. You imagine how badly you would love to simply roll to the other side of the bed and forget the fact that you need to be at school in a couple of hours. The thought of completely wasting away the cold day by spending it in your pjs whilst watching your favourite movie on the couch is too good to ignore. But no, there are papers to be written and notes to be taken in the boring atmosphere that is the classroom, so you decide to get up and make your way to school. The snow piles over top the black ice on the roads. Your car decides to stall and get stuck in the alley about twenty metres from your house. Maybe you even slip and fall while walking to school and get mocking looks from strangers you have never even met! You immediately regret starting your day and wish you were right back at home, in your bed where you first began.

If you encounter these unfortunate turn of events this winter, you know you are doing something right. This just means you have been hit with a case of the authentic winter familiarity that is all too common to some. What choice do you have but to laugh? All in all, you should be glad to have spring break to look forward to (a MUCH safer time of year) after you survive another long chilly season that Calgary is more than willing to offer.

Best of luck this winter!

My Top 10 Favourite Childhood Books

By Sarena D.
*Article first appears on www.youthareawesome.com
 So, I was feeling a touch of nostalgia and decided to compile a list of my favourite novels from my elementary school years. Many of these I would go back to and read again today, and I encourage you all to have a read too. Have a childhood favourite? Comment below. In no particular order, here it goes:

1. Anne of Green Gables Series by L.M. Montgomery
   Prince Edward Island’s famous redhead has been an inspiration in my life for many years. I enjoyed every one of the eight books wholeheartedly, and even read the prequel, Before Green Gables by Budge Wilson.
2. Famous Five Series by Enid Blyton
   A group of best friends/cousins, check. An adorable dog, check. A mystery to solve, check. My aunt in England had me hooked on this series by a famous British author.
3. Mallory Towers by Enid Blyton
   This is a series about girls at a boarding school in Cornwall, England. This series follows the protagonist through all three terms at her school. The best parts of the book for me were the times when the girls played tricks on their teachers, which had me in tears of laughter. This is an inspiration for all April Fools days to come.
4. Little Giant Book of…
   These tiny books pack a huge punch. The collection includes books on every topic imaginable. My favourites included: The Little Giant Book of Optical Illusions, Ghost Stories, Jokes and Dinosaurs.
5. The Phantom Tollbooth by Norton Juster
   The main character, Milo, has the time of his life when he ends up in the Land of Expectations. The book is a big play on words, and includes two warring princes (one of mathematics and the other of English), the kidnapped princesses, Rhyme and Reason, and the mathematical creature, The Dodecahedron, as well as other strange creatures. I loved journeying with Milo to the Island of Conclusions (you have to jump to get there), and to the enemies’ kingdoms of Dictionopolis and Digitopolis, as well as to other fantastic places.
6. Our Canadian Girls Series
   This is a truly inspirational series about girls in Canada surviving the toughest of challenges, including The Halifax Explosion, The Great War of Europe, and the racial tensions in Nova Scotia.
7. Nancy Drew Series by Carolyn Keene
   This is another set of mystery series which has fascinated me for years. It’s little wonder that, presently, all I watch on television are crime shows.
8. A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L’Engle
   This is one of my favourite sci-fi fantasies. The series centres on a young girl whose father (a government scientist) disappears after working on a project called the tesseract.
9. The Bobbsey Twins Series by Laura Lee Hope
   Again, this is another set of mystery series, where two sets of twins in a family go on a variety of adventures. Seeing a trend?
10. Harry Potter Series by J. K. Rowling
    I think this is a given. I have grown up with Harry Potter (I started reading the series in Kindergarten). So far, I have read the books over thirty-five times.