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On Sundays, I usually review and recommend (or not) a movie that I think parents would enjoy.
Today, I was online and happened to see some lists of the top ten in many categories.
I was intrigued by the following list: Top Ten Books You Were Forced To Read in School. Top Ten Books You Were Forced to Read in School
Scrolling through the list, it occurred to me that almost every one of them was a depressing tale of the darkest sides of man’s nature.
I’m not surprised that many high school students don’t want to read!
Here’s the list…what do you think?
1. To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
2. Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck
3. A Separate Peace by John Knowles
4. The Catcher in the Rye by J. D. Salinger
5. Animal Farm by George Orwell
6. Lord of the Flies by William Golding
7. The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald
8. A Farewell to Arms by Ernest Hemingway
9. The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne
10.Macbeth by William Shakespeare
Are these great works of fiction? Yes, they most certainly are. But they portray the worst of what we can be and only a few also show the better side of human nature.
It’s been so long since I’ve read these books. Many, if not all, have been made into movies. I believe it is time for me to revisit these classics in literature. I plan to start at the top and work my way down the list. Most of these books are probably available at the local library and I’m sure the film versions are available there as well. Perhaps next Sunday, I’ll be able to give you a movie review of To Kill a Mockingbird and I’ll let you know if it was true to the story as written in the book.
I’m not sure I agree that surrounding our junior high and high school students with depressing reading material is the right path. I think I’d prefer to see some book choices for them with a more positive slant on life and our journey through it. What are your thoughts?
If you are looking for positive stories and activities for your preschoolers, please check out Show Me How!, my award-winning book. You can get a copy for 50% off right now on my website. Summer is just around the corner and this great resource will provide you with story, craft and cooking activities that are easy, inexpensive and fun!
Also, if you are local to the Colorado Springs area (Monument, Woodland Park, Denver, Pueblo, etc.), please come by on June 11 from 10am to 2pm at the PBS Kids Fun Fest in Acacia Park in downtown Colorado Springs and say hello to Clifford the Big Red Dog, Curious George and me. I’ll be doing simple craft projects with children along with many other participants.
And last bur not least, please tune in on Tuesday, May 24 at 10am EST to www.RadioEarNetwork.com. Lisa Hein, host of Everyday Parenting, will be interviewing me. We’ll be talking about many topics that are of great interest and importance to all parents.
VIVIAN KIRKFIELD - Writer for Children 
Thanks for this list~ it brings back memories (I remember agonizing over an essay for A Separate Peace)
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Hi Jess,
You’re welcome. 🙂 I missed the SCBWI meeting last Sunday…did you go?
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I would absolutely read them again now. Actually, a few of my friends with kids in middle and high school have vowed to read all of the books again with their children so they can discuss the books together. I love that idea!
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Hi Jessica,
Thanks for stopping by and commenting. I think that is a GREAT idea…I’m thinking the parents will enjoy the book more this time around…and how awesome to participate with their kids in that way…definitely will strengthen the parent-child bonds.
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Here’s the list…what do you think?
1. To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee ~ Excellent Book. Definitely worth re-reading.
2. Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck
3. A Separate Peace by John Knowles
4. The Catcher in the Rye by J. D. Salinger
5. Animal Farm by George Orwell ~ Excellent satire. Definitely worth re-reading.
6. Lord of the Flies by William Golding ~ ACK!
7. The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald
8. A Farewell to Arms by Ernest Hemingway
9. The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne
10. Macbeth by William Shakespeare
Bottom line ~ I would and have re-read #1 and #5. Most of the rest I’m neutral about but am not likely to ever read again.
I would only read Lord of the Flies again if someone held a gun to my head.
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Hahaha…I agree about Lord of the Flies! Aren’t so many of them really depressing?
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I don’t know how I missed them, but the only books that were required when I went through school were Animal Farm and Lord Of The Flies. The Scarlet Letter may have been. To Kill A Mockingbird wasn’t even written until I was in high school. I just read it this year and loved it. 1, 5, and 6 are the only one’s I’ve read. I have copies of most of the others on my shelves waiting to be read.
We lived in Colorado Springs from 1982 to 1985. Loved it and wish we could have retired from the AF there. I have worn those costumes (I was a children’s librarian for 8 years) and hope the weather is cool June 11. At least it won’t be humid.
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Thanks for stopping by! I think we don’t remember some of the books we’ve read because they were not relevant to us as high school/college students. Some literature gets better as we get older. 🙂
Yes, those costumes can be really stifling…thank goodness I won’t be in one. 🙂 I’m really looking foward to the event!
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I applaud your efforts here as you have a complete list from when I was in school. Memories I love.
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Hi Jackie,
Glad the list gave you a few moments of nostalgia. 🙂
Perhaps I’ll enjoy them more this time around!
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Some might be worth a read but not all and I say this because some I read over and over again… 🙂
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What I want to know is…where will I find the fime? 🙂
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I only read Animal Farm and Macbeth in school…..I had to read Great Gatsby in college and do a research paper on it based on color symbolism…..therefore, I ended up reading it like 10 or more times….and I’m not interested in reading it ever again! I got tired of reading it!
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I’ve read most of these books and I loved most of them. Anytime a writer examines the human psyche, it can be quite depressing. The books are so well written and tell such great stories. It’s kind of cool that these books are required reading. Some of them, are not easy reading and are kind of deep for high school students to comprehend. I don’t think half the kids really read these books, they just look online at the synopsis!
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And years ago, we read the Cliff notes. 🙂
It’s true they are classics in literature…I’m just a fan of sunshine and smiles and optimism about life…however, I am also a realist…I know there are many other sides and conditions of life…just don’t know if young people need so much doom and gloom and despair in their already difficult struggles to emerge as adults. 🙂
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Hi, Vivian. I love your list and plan on keeping it. It will be lovely to read those classic books again at this stage of my life and writing! Thank you, Sheila
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Hi Sheila,
Sorry I haven’t been in touch…I did get to Chicago for Mother’s Day weekend and placed Show Me How! in Lollie’s in Evanston..the owner wants me to let her know a month before the next time I am in Chicago..she wants to plan a book event for me. 🙂 So I plan to come back in August…perhaps the second week…maybe we will be able to connect then. 🙂
Glad you loved the list…I appreciate you stopping by!
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