Flores para Algernon

Reach for this book when your teen starts questioning the value of intellectual achievement versus emotional connection, or when they observe someone being treated differently because of their cognitive abilities. It is a profound exploration of what it means to be human and how our worth is often unfairly measured by our IQ rather than our heart. The story follows Charlie Gordon, a man with a low IQ who undergoes an experimental surgery to become a genius. As his intelligence skyrockets, he discovers that the world is more complex and cruel than he imagined. Written through Charlie's progress reports, the book captures his tragic realization that 'smart' does not equal 'happy.' It is a deeply moving, sophisticated choice for mature teens that will spark intense conversations about empathy, ethics, and identity.