Take a look, it's in a book.

[rogueslayer452]

I'm someone who hated required reading in school, and I hate to admit that it did put me off reading for pleasure for a brief period of time, particularly as adolescent/preteen. With having said that, though, I didn't have any hate over any book in particular, it was just being forced to read for a grade that was the issue. That's all. However, despite this, there were some assigned reading that I actually did end up liking, even loving, throughout my time in school.

Island of the Blue Dolphins by Scott O'Dell
Matilda by Roald Dahl
The Giver by Lois Lowry
Walk Two Moons by Sharon Creech
To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee
Lord of the Flies by William Golding
Proof by David Auburn (self-selected)

The first two, Island of the Blue Dolphins and Matilda, were read in elementary school, and I remember distinctly renting the 1964 film adaptation of Island of the Blue Dolphins either after or during reading the book, and I of course saw Matilda when that movie came out. The Giver and Walk Two Moons were middle school assigned reading, and I remember liking both, especially The Giver which made quite an impression on me, and was probably my first taste of the dystopian genre. And of course with To Kill A Mockingbird and Lord of the Flies in high school, those were the only two books that I was so enraptured by that I actually read ahead of the assigned chapters. I remember we watched the courtroom scene of To Kill A Mockingbird (1962) which furthered my adoration of the story itself, and why I consider it to be among my favorite books. Proof is a play that I picked out myself to read for theater class because I was going to be absent for a week of school and my homework was to write a paper on a play, and I actually liked it a whole lot.

Beyond that I don't remember a whole lot that I was assigned to read, if there was a compiled list I might be able to recognize them, but I probably wouldn't remember anything about them. Also, I wouldn't be opposed to reading them again now as an adult, because that would be more of a personal choice and curiosity than mandatory for a grade in class.

Comments

[tabaqui]

I loved 'Island of the Blue Dolphins'! My sister had it, and several other books of similar kind (Indigenous girl on a journey), and I read them all. 'Julie of the Wolves' was another huge favorite.

[rionaleonhart]

I was also assigned Lord of the Flies and read ahead on it because I found it so compelling! I'm still very drawn to stories about characters being isolated together in a difficult situation.

I enjoyed Pride and Prejudice, too, and Emma, although I can't quite remember whether I read the latter for school or for pleasure. The other assigned texts I remember really enjoying were mainly plays, come to think of it: Macbeth, Othello, Oedipus Rex, the works of Euripides.

I didn't mind required reading at school, but I found the book-a-week pace of some of my university courses exhausting and unreasonable. I did enjoy reading Lolita for university, though.

[rogueslayer452]

It's always interesting to see what others were assigned for required reading in school, since there is an overlap but it also differs.

Lolita is a book that wasn't assigned reading but one that I read on my own time, mainly because I knew of it and was curious to give it a go and I really enjoyed it as well.

[profiterole_reads]

I loved/was traumatised by La nuit des temps by Barjavel (English summary). I also enjoyed a number of plays that were retellings of Greek mythology.

[rogueslayer452]

Oh, that book sounds so interesting from the summary alone, I'm intrigued.

It's fascinating seeing the different kinds of books that were required reading in other places of the world.

[sherrilina]

Island of the Blue Dolphins was great, but very depressing and disturbing. We read that one too.

The Giver I read on my own before getting to the year it would be assigned, because it looked interesting...it really is a great book. I wish though I could have followed up with my 8th grade teacher who said we were all idiots for thinking Jonah survived at the end, after the author explicitly said he survived in interviews later!

[rogueslayer452]

I think I need to reread it again, since I know it is based on a true story, just to gain another perspective now that I'm older.

I remember holding onto the belief that he survived in the end, so that's good to hear. Of course, now knowing that The Giver is an extended series instead of a singular book I'm apprehensive on what the other books are like.

[night_owl_9]

I remember all of those books! I don't remember reading Island of the Blue Dolphins in school, but I remember watching the movie - it was sadder than I thought it'd be.

I also remember listening to the audiobook of The Giver in school - it was quite good!

[verdande_mi]

I haven't read any if these, except perhaps Matilda as a kid. I remember the movie at least. The Giver has been on my radar since it is read in English class at my school, in 10th grade. I will probably borrow a copy to read at some point.

[rogueslayer452]

The Giver is quite interesting, and it's been a long while since I've read it but it certainly made an impression on me at a young age.

[lebateleur]

Assigned reading often frustrated me because I *cough* have never struggled with not having enough self-selected books to read. Then we moved to a state with a school system that made students watch movies in English and library period instead of letting us read books and suddenly even assigned reading looked good.

Anyway, I knew of all of those books in school, but only had to read TKMB for class (though I read everything except the Auburn on my own).

[rogueslayer452]

I know that movies were shown if they were adapted from the books we were reading, which we were then to discuss and compare and contrast, though watching movies instead of reading books wasn't something that happened. I mean, being at that age and remembering how I was I probably wouldn't have been opposed, but it does seem strange that they would just have kids watch movies rather than read books. You'd think that they would encourage students to read more.

[cruel_summer]

To Kill A Mockingbird is one of the few books from school I enjoyed, too. That and Catcher in the Rye.

[rogueslayer452]

It was so engaging. And the way it was being taught in class definitely helped, but I remember really liking the way it was written and the characters a whole lot. It's been among my favorite stories ever since.

[kairosimperfect]

Recently I saw a local performance of Proof and it was really good. Got lucky with that one, though; I don't know if I would have enjoyed it as much if I read it instead.

I've read all the books you listed (except I can't remember if I ever finished Island of the Blue Dolphins) and they're all good choices. :)

[rogueslayer452]

I haven't seen any live performance of the play, I know there was a movie adaptation of it made years ago but I haven't watched it. Plays in general can be a hit or miss depending, but Proof was a good read, personally speaking.

[silverusagi]

Let's see, I read Island of the Blue Dolphins and The Giver during school, though I can't remember whether they were assigned or not (I feel like The Giver was). Both made an impression on me, and I have fonder memories of Island, even though it's also fairly tragic. I think as a kid it appeals to the idea of living on your own. I also read Matilda, though I read most of Dahl's books. We did read To Kill A Mockingbird in school, and I still think it's an amazing book. Our school never did Lord of the Flies, though, and I have yet to read it.

[elizalavelle]

I think one of the issues with required reading in school is that some teachers dole it out almost like a chore rather than look at it as an opportunity to get kids interested in reading. I've been assigned some wonderful books and I've had some that were absolutely boring and not something I'd have opted into and I was (and am) a reader.

I remember in particular in high school being assigned In the Skin of a Lion by Michael Ondaatje. Along the way I learned I didn't much like his writing style when I was 17 and when voicing any level of complaint about the book our teacher, who really liked the book, told us we'd appreciate it more when we were 40.

Just such a backwards idea about assigning reading as a teacher. Don't give the students books that you as a full adult are into if it's something you can also say they won't really get for more than two more decades. If you're a decent teacher you can get students to learn how to analyse texts and see symbolism and theme etc. from pretty much any decently written book. I don't see why students can't have more choices.