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The Martlet Must-Read Book of 2026-27
Head of School Elaine White announced this week that the Martlet Must-Read for the 2026-27 school year is Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt. “The school community and Cole Library are focused on celebrating the Martlet Must-Read as a way to share our reading experiences, foster empathy, and encourage thoughtful dialogue on literary themes and diverse perspectives,” said Mrs. White.
All Westminster students will be reading the best-selling debut novel about a widow’s unlikely friendship with a giant Pacific octopus. The book explores themes of grief, memory, and family and has recently been made into a Netflix movie.
In the fall, students will have the opportunity to meet author Shelby Van Pelt and hear her speak on campus at an all-school program on Thursday, September 17 and in other settings. The Martlet Must-Read events will be exclusively for Westminster students, faculty, and staff.
The book selection process was a true community effort with the Martlet Must-Read Committee working with The Bibliophiles student book club to choose a title that offered a meaningful story with connections to Westminster’s core values. Bibliophiles member Finn O’Shaughnessy ’28 shared, “Remarkably Bright Creatures mirrors the ideals of Westminster. This book is full of grace—and a little grit—and fits perfectly with our
school’s values.”
Michael Lawler, the Donald H. Werner Chair in English, noted, “The novel connects well to all four of the English Department’s essential questions, and I know our students will really enjoy reading and discussing it. How lucky are we that the movie came out this spring, just in time for Shelby’s visit to Westminster!”
“I think Remarkably Bright Creatures captures the quiet beauty of ordinary lives, along with the mistakes and uncertainties that come with being human,” said Yujin Lee ’29. “The story is thoughtful and engaging without feeling too heavy, which makes it especially fitting for a summer read.”
At the end of her announcement to the school community, Mrs. White said, “I look forward to hearing about everyone’s summer reading highlights when we return to Williams Hill in the fall. Happy reading!”
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All Westminster students will be reading the best-selling debut novel about a widow’s unlikely friendship with a giant Pacific octopus. The book explores themes of grief, memory, and family and has recently been made into a Netflix movie.
In the fall, students will have the opportunity to meet author Shelby Van Pelt and hear her speak on campus at an all-school program on Thursday, September 17 and in other settings. The Martlet Must-Read events will be exclusively for Westminster students, faculty, and staff.
The book selection process was a true community effort with the Martlet Must-Read Committee working with The Bibliophiles student book club to choose a title that offered a meaningful story with connections to Westminster’s core values. Bibliophiles member Finn O’Shaughnessy ’28 shared, “Remarkably Bright Creatures mirrors the ideals of Westminster. This book is full of grace—and a little grit—and fits perfectly with our
school’s values.”
Michael Lawler, the Donald H. Werner Chair in English, noted, “The novel connects well to all four of the English Department’s essential questions, and I know our students will really enjoy reading and discussing it. How lucky are we that the movie came out this spring, just in time for Shelby’s visit to Westminster!”
“I think Remarkably Bright Creatures captures the quiet beauty of ordinary lives, along with the mistakes and uncertainties that come with being human,” said Yujin Lee ’29. “The story is thoughtful and engaging without feeling too heavy, which makes it especially fitting for a summer read.”
At the end of her announcement to the school community, Mrs. White said, “I look forward to hearing about everyone’s summer reading highlights when we return to Williams Hill in the fall. Happy reading!”
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