Why young adults should read Mitch Albom's book, The Five People You Meet in Heaven

Young people transitioning into adulthood should read the book, The Five People You Meet in Heaven by Mitch Albom. These young people who are leaving high school, entering college, and the real world are undergoing big changes. This transformation comes with uncertainty and a need for guidance and direction. Suddenly, young adults have responsibility of their lives, must make their own decisions, and be accountable for those decisions. This phase in their lives provides them with an opportunity for a new start.

What the book has to offer young adults making this transition are several lessons that are relevant to their circumstances. In this book, they will learn about sacrifice. When you want something or need something, you do what it takes to reach your goal. Even when that means sacrificing something you care about. When you give up something, you gain something more valuable. The second lesson they will learn is interconnectedness. All of our actions are connected with the lives of other people. Our choices affected others like dominos. One decision leads to other peoples’ decisions. People’s lives are like stories. The world is full of stories. However all the stories are really just one big story. The third lesson young adults will learn is forgiveness. It releases people from pain.  It allows people to let go of anger.  It pushes people to move beyond the past.  When young adults learn these lessons, they will be able to realize the impact of their decisions and choose to make good choices.

            Mr. Aronson, professor of English, encounters young adults during their transition periods and requires them to read, discuss, and analyze this book. He knows this book will be helpful to them, which is why he continues to make it a reading requirement. As an experienced college professor and counselor, his opinion is strongly respected.