Editor’s note: Homer High School students in Suzanne Bishop’s sophomore honors English class wrote curated list essays in response to a New York Times Learning Network contest. Here are some of their entries:

The Three Songs That Will Change Your Perspective On U2 

by Carter Davis

If you thought U2 was just an average pop rock band with one sound, you’re not alone, but if you dive deep into their discography, you’ll discover some truly unique songs that will shatter your expectations for what U2 is capable of. This list of songs will show just how strange and experimental U2’s songs can get!

1: “Zooropa”

This strange six-and-a-half minute piece combines alternative rock, electronic music and disco into one song that disorients and confuses while creating a distinct feeling of hope. The song gets off to a slow start with garbled and distorted voices barely audible before a clear guitar riff pierces through the muddle. It eventually progresses, with vocals coming in over a minute into the song. This section is interesting but I think it can’t compare to when the song goes through a tempo change, transforming completely into a strange wave of sound that becomes the driving force of the second part of the song. To me, this part of the song is the truly interesting part, because it creates a rushed, frightened, and even more disoriented feeling. Overall, the track is a sonic masterpiece that redefines what many thought was possible for U2.

2: “Always Forever Now”

This song, from Passengers’s “Original Soundtracks 1” (U2 and Brian Eno), is also about six-and-a-half minutes long, and starts with a simple line that is quickly joined by a fast, driving drum part that creates an anxious feel to the first part of the song. A DX7 bass synth comes in, adding a ripping bass line to the intro. Strange noises such as cricket sounds, a wah pedal used to make wind sounds and the sounds of objects being dropped fill the mix along with a high staccato synth line that creates an even more anxious feel. Abruptly, many parts drop at once, quieting the piece to prepare for the vocals. These are short lived, with the same phrase repeated multiple times. Although this might sound like it would seem boring, the lyrics are not the focus of the song and in my opinion, the repetition makes the theme of the song feel emphasized positively rather than overstated. The vocals are quickly replaced with a soaring distorted guitar part and strings, which carry the song to the end. Although a claim could be made that a collaboration with another artist doesn’t count, Brian Eno was the producer for 6 other U2 albums, including “The Unforgettable Fire,” “The Joshua Tree” and “Achtung Baby”, so I think this shouldn’t be considered a non-U2 album. Even so, “Always Forever Now” is truly a leap away from U2’s usual music.

3: “Dirty Day”

This piece, only five-and-a-half minutes long, tells the story of a regretful father who left his family, only to return as a stranger. The song uses a constant high synth part, along with Bono’s falsetto and heavy use of the wah pedal to explore themes of regret. Overall, it creates a fever dream-esque feel, causing, at least in me, deep thought about relationships and life in general. Most of the track is relatively quiet, with simple bass and drum parts and sparse guitar. The chorus, however, is essentially a wall of wah and reverb heavy guitar that feels like somebody cracking. The lyrics leading up to the chorus show tension, and the chorus seems to release it, only for it to build up again in the second verse. Finally the remaining tension is released in the outro, which features a similar guitar part to the chorus. The song, although less strange compared to the rest of U2’s music, is still a testament to the band’s constant experimentation and reinvention.

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Top Three Binge Worthy British Murder Mystery Shows on Britbox that Will Make You Never Want to Leave the Couch 

by Etta Bynagle

Have you ever sat down on your couch wrapped in a warm blanket protected from the darkness pressing in from outside the windows of your house and muttered out loud “What I want to do more than anything right now is to watch some people get murdered, while enjoying delightful British accents?” I know I have. So let me enlighten you to three of the best British murder mystery shows featured on BritBox.  

1. Agatha Christie’s Poirot

Now many people have heard Agatha Christie’s name or might even have read some of her work, but this thrilling series attempts to keep up with one of her most famous characters, the Belgian detective Hercule Poirot, as he solves the most perplexing mystery cases known to mankind. This astoundingly smart, witty character travels the world solving cases with his renowned “little grey cells,” keeping me entertained and endlessly wanting to know what happens next. This production dives deep into the complexities of the human mind with mindnumbing clues that only the best of the best can spot. As the show goes on I tend to find whenever I am on the brink of figuring out who the killer is, a new lead is uncovered. By watching this show I have learned to never invite this detective to my house for tea or someone I know might just end up dead. 

2. Rosemary and Thyme

Cute name right? Wrong. These loveable gardeners might just dig up something they shouldn’t while attempting to plant an intricate botanical garden. This satisfying show follows the two gardeners as they attempt to make a living off their small landscaping business and how they always manage to get wrapped in some intricate murder case every episode. In the show the two women are usually able to use their vast knowledge of horticulture to find new clues, whether it’s a rare type of flower, a poison only found in a certain type of mushroom or even something to do with the soil affecting the plants growth. I’ll be sure to remember to keep my garden away from them or who knows, maybe a person slaughtered with a pitchfork will end up in my potato patch. I think that Rosemary Boxer and Laura Thyme might just be the best crime stoppers in England, and though they might just be gardeners and not certified detectives, they manage to hunt down the killer every time.

3. Midsomer Murders 

This cozy town in England like many others has its dark secrets. This seemingly quaint town is a breeding ground for gruesome murders, and it’s up to detective chief inspector Barnaby and his bumbling yet loyal sidekick Troy, to figure out who did it. I never knew such a town could be filled with so much blackmail, spite, and revenge. Somehow these characters manage to untangle the many twisting parts of each case by following clues and getting themselves into risky situations only for them to escape in the nick of time. This show continually keeps me guessing who could have possibly done it until the very end when it all comes together. With every moment riddled with lies and deceptions, it makes it even more gratifying when the slayer gets caught. This series currently has twenty five seasons and counting with a combined total of 144 shows, so I have never run out of feel good murders to brighten my day. 

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Top Three Most Underrated Art Pieces 

by Aili Jensen

Have you heard of the Mona Lisa, or maybe Starry Night? These pieces have swept the art world, but there is more than these classics. Art is subjective, and even if you find yourself in an art gallery that seemingly never ends, you still find that piece, the one that makes your heart sing, the color, the setting it brings you in, as if you could stare endlessly at the art. Here are some captivating pieces that I don’t think deserve to be overlooked.

“Carnation, Lily, Lily, Rose,” by John Singer Sargent

First on this list is Carnation, Lily, Lily, Rose by John Singer Sargent. This piece is truly awe-inspiring, an oil painting of two young girls in simple, flowy white dresses standing in a flower garden that engulfs them with pink roses, tall white lilies over head, and small yellow carnations hidden in the grass. The girls hold slightly pink paper lanterns, well lighting them, bringing orange to the girls’ faces and giving the white lilies a soft pink from the lantern glow. These beautiful lanterns are hung around the garden like a forest of flowers, bringing a simple light to the darker shadows that linger as the day turns to evening, with pink roses fading as I look deeper into the never-ending garden. This piece is magical with a strong nature emphasis and it shows true skill in an artist with immense detail and simple use of shadows to show. It brings me in and deserves more attention globally.

“Couple Descending a Staircase,” by Joseph Christian Leyendecker


Next on this list is Couple Descending a Staircase by Joseph Christian Leyendecker. I love Leyendecker and would say all of his work should be on this list, but this piece is a bit different. Couple Descending a Staircase depicts a man and a woman descending a beautifully intricate golden staircase with a bright yellow light shining from the bottom of the staircase, and also where the woman and man are looking. The woman looks to the left with a seductive expression. She is wearing an extremely well-drawn light pink silk dress that shines in the light, with a large white shawl draped around her arms, holding it delicately, as she looks down the stairs. The man holds himself strongly with a soft stoic look on his face. In his left hand, he is holding a cigarette, while his right is in his pocket, but something is different about his clothes. In the background, there is nothing, just a black void, and the man’s suit completely blends in as if it were never there. This is kind of out of Leyendecker’s norm, but that’s what makes it so extraordinary. This painting is astounding and truly deserves more acknowledgment.

“Portrait of a Bearded Man,” by Jacopo Bassano


Finally, “Portrait of a Bearded Man “by Jacopo Bassano, the art piece I personally think is more captivating and interesting than the Mona Lisa. I have seen this Bassano’s painting at The Getty, and let me say, it is truly breathtaking. This painting depicts a middle-aged man with a long beard, a florid complexion, slightly watery eyes, and an intrigued look on his face. His gaze focused intently to the right. A light green sand paper color sets the background with the faintest shadow to the left of the man. He wears an all black robe that contrasts with the bright detail and strong expression of the man’s face, making the clothes feel as if they give life to the man in a way. The Mona Lisa is good, don’t get me wrong, but this piece truly made me feel something when I saw it, and I hope you can feel the same when you see these breathtaking paintings. 

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Top Five Best Crowd Pleasing Desserts in Alaska 

by Hunter Gauthier 

It is January, you live in Alaska and sweetness is calling. What will you make? Desserts of course! Sweet treats have been part of our history, culture, and social gatherings for many years. There are five that are constantly deserving of space on every dessert menu in Alaska. They are rhubarb crisps, brownies, apple pies, chocolate chip cookies and cinnamon rolls. Brownies and cookies are great for taking on a ski and who doesn’t want a warm roll or crisp while gathering around a warm wood stove?

1 Rhubarb Crisps:  

As an Alaskan I have been harvesting rhubarb during many summers. Washing the harvest, chopping and freezing it in bags is a seasonal event that many families enjoy together. My grandma came up into Alaska one winter and she made a rhubarb crisp. It was one of my first times having this treat. Once the warm gooey sweetness with a hint of crunch touched my mouth my whole perspective changed. Pulling out one of these freezer bags in the dark winter months, adding the texture and solidifying effects of oats, flavor of cinnamon and sweetness of brown sugar really brings me joy.

2 Brownies:  

There is nothing more satisfying than a warm brownie with a rich chocolate flavor after a long day of work in the darkness of winter. A perfect brownie has a gooey thick cake texture with extra chocolate chips on top. There are a lot of view points on what brownie is the best, with some being faithful only to the crispy edges with others being drawn right to the middle of the pan. There are lots of things that can be added too, including ice cream. A warm crisp brownie with ice cream melting on top …Yummy! 

3 Apple Pies:

It has been said that there is nothing more American than apple pie and baseball.  Apple pies can have a full lid (where the crust just has slits cut for venting) or it can have a braided look (where strips of crust are layered together into a pattern).  Either way, this is a dessert that can be solo or served with vanilla ice cream. In Alaska, the full lids seem more common, probably because we don’t want to let any heat escape before cutting into the sweet treat.

4 Chocolate Chip Cookies: 

Nobody can go wrong with chocolate chip cookies. They are one of the simplest yet best treats. A dozen chocolate chip cookies are great for sharing with friends and they are appropriate for any holiday. During a past Christmas, I remember baking cookies with my mom and then delivering them fresh and warm from the oven to our neighbors in the cold evening. When we handed over the delicious cookies, everyone was so grateful and excited to go inside to get a glass of milk and enjoy our holiday gift.    

5 Cinnamon Rolls:

The rolls of tasty dough wrapped into a ball with nutmeg and cinnamon flavoring make up what many families cook around a holiday or special event like a birthday. Nothing is better than waking up on a special day to the sweet smell of cinnamon butteryness. A large circular cinnamon roll with sweet white icing melted over the top reminds me of Alaskan snowcapped mountains.  

Whenever you have a question about what to have when you get home at four and it is pitch black outside, just glance at this top five Alaskan dessert list and you will light up with excitement and anticipation.

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Three Best Kids Book Series With Crazy-Smart Protagonists 

by Catherine Davis

When I was younger, finding a good book to read was sometimes hard. I wanted characters I could root for, plots that kept me engaged, and twists that left me stunned and wanting more. (I’ll admit, I was a picky reader, and still am.) Over time, I came to realize that the books that best checked these boxes were the ones with incredibly smart young protagonists. Whether they could solve convoluted mysteries with only the help of a smudge of dirt, or had an impressive knack for getting out of sticky situations, these characters showed me that even kids could save the world. This is a list of the three best kids book series whose protagonists will inspire anyone (even adults) with their quick wits. 

#1. The Enola Holmes Series by Nancy Springer

This mystery series set in Victorian England follows Sherlock Holmes’ younger sister,  Enola Holmes, as she leaves home for London in the wake of her mother’s mysterious disappearance. After growing up in the countryside, Enola has to adjust to a crowded (and sometimes dangerous) life in the city, which eventually leads her to discover her true calling: solving mysteries. In each book, Enola tackles a new mystery that she solves with satisfying precision, all while avoiding being caught by her meddlesome brothers who are intent on sending her to boarding school. 

These books were impossible to put down: Enola’s objective view of London’s dark sides made her an inspiring character, and the mysteries never ceased to blow my mind with their outcomes. However, what I loved most about these books was Enola’s witty narration, which made her one of the most relatable characters I have ever encountered.

#2. The Artemis Fowl Series by Eoin Colfer

Artemis Fowl is the definition of a child prodigy. At the age of 12, he already knows five languages and is working to gain access to a secret underground fairy civilization. But, his actions are not driven by curiosity: he wants to extort the fairies for their magic. As arguably the smartest person in the world, he doesn’t use his skills for good; he dedicates them to criminal activity. 

Artemis was by far the smartest character I had ever met, and this intrigued me from the start. I was inspired by his confidence, however, I also appreciated the moments when his superior facade dropped, making him seem human. Yet, what captivated me the most was his ability to think up elaborate schemes that worked out perfectly. Artemis was always one step ahead of everyone, making the series a satisfying read.

#3. The Mysterious Benedict Society Series By Trenton Lee Stewart

When Reiney Muldoon spots an ad in the newspaper advertising “special opportunities” for children bright enough to pass a series of exams, he immediately decides to enroll. Rainey, and the three other children who passed the exam alongside him are invited to become a part of the Mysterious Benedict Society, where they use their unique talents to thwart the plans of an evil scientist named Mr. Curtain.

This series enchanted me the moment I picked it up. On the whole, I appreciated how Reiney and his friends worked together as a group. However, what I really loved was how they all had their own ways of solving problems. While this was impressive (they had ideas that I would never have come up with), it was also inspiring; it showed me that everyone’s skills have value depending on the situation. 

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Top Five Chopin Etudes to Learn and Play as an Intermediate Pianist 

by Pearl Sethi

Have you ever struggled with deciding what piece to play? Well look no further! If you are an intermediate pianist, these etudes have been fully approved for sounding impressive and being fun to play. Of Chopin’s etudes that I have learned, these five are my absolute favorites. It is important to keep in mind that although these compositions might seem daunting at first with pages upon pages covered in notes, played below tempo they are insanely easy, and from there it only needs to be sped up. Chopin’s etudes are commonly played as concert pieces themselves and these etudes are great examples of this as each presents unique challenges. Even though some are arguably more advanced pieces, rather than intermediate, with enough practice they are fully achievable.

• Etude Op. 10 No. 12 in C Minor “Revolutionary Etude/Etude on the Bombardment of Warsaw”
  • This etude is the last of Chopin’s first set of etudes, and it features long, descending runs, scales and arpeggios on the left hand, while the right hand has octaves creating a beautiful legato melody. Before selecting this etude to play, keep in mind that nearly the entire piece features polyrhythms between the hands. I did not find it too challenging to get under my fingers at a slower tempo, but bringing it to the marked tempo of 160-180 can prove a challenge.  However, the satisfaction from how this etude sounds is more than worth it. 
• Etude Op. 25 No. 10 in B Minor “Octave Etude”
  • This is a notoriously difficult etude, so it could be argued that it doesn’t belong on a list for intermediate pianists. I think that intermediate means advanced pieces are possible with enough practice and this etude is so lovely it would be offensive to take it off. This etude includes quick, connected octaves in both hands, which admittedly makes it tricky for pianists with smaller hands. And if that isn’t hard enough, it also brings the additional challenge of allowing the melodic inner voices to stand out. For this piece it is extremely important to maintain wrist flexibility and dynamic movement to avoid strain or injuries. 
• Etude Op. 10 No. 9 in F Minor
  • I found this etude relatively easy to learn and play at performance tempo, however this is partially because many pianists choose to play it below marked tempo for musicality. It is both highly expressive and good for working on left hand flexibility. Although this etude is less popular than others, I appreciated the dynamics and the challenges in the left hand, which were good repetitions of skills for his nocturnes. It also sounds beautiful when well played. 
• Etude Op. 10 No. 5 in G-Flat Major “Black Key Etude”
  • In this piece, the right hand plays quick triplets falling almost entirely on the black keys while the left hand provides harmonic structure through staccato chords and octaves. Though Chopin himself did not consider it to be one of his best compositions, it is one of his most popular compositions, and I enjoyed the agility and gracefulness of the etude. 

• Etude Op. 25 No. 11 in A Minor “Winter Wind Etude”
  • This etude is mainly the right hand performing rapid descending sixteenth note tuplets with the left providing support. It is great for improving right hand dexterity. I found it helps to think of both hands as separate melodic entities working together to perform a duet though the piece only features one pianist. Although this piece is well known, it is difficult enough that many pianists don’t attempt it. I for one was a bit daunted by the look of it, but with enough repetition and a slow start, it is more than possible to master.