From: James Elliott <J_C_Elliott>
Date: Tue, 08 Aug 2006 03:23:01 -0000

Take two: I found the original post, it just took a while to show up in my
'sent' box:

I found, when I was a student, that the books I was required to read in school were long, boring and depressing (I know many people like Knowles' "A Separate Peace", but I hated it! Same with "Great Expectations").

Now I'm seeing this through my children's eyes. I'm amazed that any child will do ANY reading after the books they are told they have to read for school. Yes, they are classics, but really, is the message we want to spread is that "Quality books are the boring ones" or about people and events that have little or no relevancy to today's life and life-style?

Yes, I do see a need for the teaching of the classics. But what about the
'exciting' books, like "Treasure Island" or "Peter Pan" (to capitalize on the current fad of Pirate themed everything)? No one should have to endure
"Great Expectations" or "David Copperfield", when "A Christmas Carol" is readily avalible.

I'd like to see English teachers re-evaluate the 'required reading' lists.

Jim Elliott Tallahassee, FL.
Received on Mon 07 Aug 2006 10:23:01 PM CDT