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Hilal

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The Overachievers: The Secret Lives of Driven Kids

by Alexandra Robbins (Goodreads Author)

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Hilal said: " The Overachievers: The Secret Lives of Driven Kids by Alexandra Robbins is a novel based on the lives of nine students attending Walt Whitman High School in Maryland. Robbins tells their stories of getting accepted into their dream colleges. Normally The Overachievers: The Secret Lives of Driven Kids by Alexandra Robbins is a novel based on the lives of nine students attending Walt Whitman High School in Maryland. Robbins tells their stories of getting accepted into their dream colleges. Normally, when I have to read a novel for school, I am not very intrigued; however, I could easily relate to this one. Feeling the pressure of college and the outside world, these students all obtain the same struggle of being accepted into their dream colleges. This novel reveals the truth that our society has come to today.

Year after year, new students emerge from different high schools around the nation. All with one motive in common; getting accepted into college. These students experience competition and struggles on their journey. The Overachievers strictly depicts the lives of these students. Robbins follows the lives of nine different students; all with one dream. She provides quotes and analysis while also giving statistical information about these students and colleges. These students are not considered ordinary. They all attain a 4.0 grade point average or higher, participate in sports and other extracurricular activities, and also maintain the position of school officers. Each of these kids, also known as overachievers, hope that one day their hard work will pay off. That someday their hard work will result in a scholarship to an Ivy League school. Robbins portrays themes and conflicts as well in her novel. She shows man vs. man and man vs. self conflicts throughout the novel. The students battle conflicts internally and externally as they reach and compete against their fellow classmates. Overwhelmed with AP classes, some students push their will to the limits. These students include “AP” Frank, Audrey, C.J., Julie, Sam, Pete, Taylor, Ryland, and the “Stealth.” Robbins tracks the lives of these students with statistical information. Some students like "AP" Frank have already graduated but still feel the pressure of his family and society. This also brings up the conflict of man vs. society. Robbins includes numerous conflicts in this novel that strongly relate to today's society. Today's society is filled with college-hungry students that strive for the best and at times, fall short.

All in all, I really enjoyed this book. It was filled with relative information that I deal with in my everyday life. I found it interesting to see the lives of these students eaten up by their school work. At times, I think I have a lot of school work, but after reading this novel, I learned that I have it easy. The novel taught me that my overall appearance should not be judged by my grades and academic status. Anyone can reach any school if they try their hardest. It taught me that AP classes and overwhelming homework takes your life away from you. Robbins' writing style was extremely interesting. She kept me intrigued through the entire novel with statistical information and constant stories of different high school students that I could strongly relate to. She gives her own opinion on today's educational system and allows for people to see the insufficient and unfair qualities of education today. Robbins allows the reader to make a connection and relate to the everyday problems that life and school throws at us. I would recommend this novel to all high school students that are overwhelmed with education as a whole. It goes under one of my favorite novels and that's why it deserves a four out of five rating. ...more "

Mar 28, 2009 10:12PM · see review