Active Users:357 Time:26/04/2025 01:32:45 PM
Exactly my feelings. Haggard Send a noteboard - 10/09/2009 05:24:11 PM

Sounder
Bridge to Terabithia
Old Yeller
Where the Red Fern Grows
Summer of Swans
Island of the Blue Dolphin
Pigman
The Chocolate War
Books by Judy Blume, Katherine Patterson, etc

Most of these, I didn't read until 5th or 6th grade. I also remember having "Library Time" each week where we spent an hour in the school library and chose books to read off of a list. I also remember most of the books being considered "classics" and wondered why no 'classic' books seem to have a good/decent ending. Why were they all depressing in the end?

It continued into high school. Once I was assigned books to read (aside from Greek Mythology, which was awesome), it seems all the books had protagonists who went through a bunch of crap and learned a lesson, but was worse off for it.


I consider 5th & 6th to be elementary. We didn't have a middle school (Junior High started in 7th grade).

Books with depressing endings or with "protagonists who went through a bunch of crap and learned a lesson, but was worse off for it" still aren't my favorite. Where is the fun in that? If kids are being forced to read books like these, is it any wonder they don't think reading is fun?

I'm glad to know I wasn't the only one.
*MySmiley*
I'm drinkin' some George Jones,
and a little bit of Coe
Haggard's easin' my misery
and Waylon's keepin' me from home
Hank's givin' me those high times-
Cash is gonna sing it low
I'm here gettin' wasted-
just like my country heroes
-Hank III
Reply to message
What books should students be forced to read in school? - 10/09/2009 06:35:46 AM 1333 Views
I honestly don't remember being assigned any books to read in elementary school. - 10/09/2009 06:43:59 AM 926 Views
I honestly don't remember... - 10/09/2009 08:30:24 AM 982 Views
We are an exceptional lot. - 10/09/2009 04:40:30 PM 1021 Views
I remember being forced to read a few novels - 10/09/2009 08:41:47 AM 941 Views
Should the parents or the students choose the books? - 10/09/2009 05:05:45 PM 920 Views
Let the students choose. - 11/09/2009 06:14:29 AM 1026 Views
None - 10/09/2009 08:50:40 AM 1030 Views
Re: None - 10/09/2009 05:15:16 PM 1216 Views
I think it really doesn't matter - 10/09/2009 09:22:36 AM 881 Views
I don't remember reading books in elementary school - 10/09/2009 09:46:23 AM 892 Views
Exactly my feelings. - 10/09/2009 05:24:11 PM 923 Views
I feel being forced to read a book ruins it - 10/09/2009 01:06:42 PM 972 Views
in elementary school, we weren't forced to read certain books until around 4th or 5th grade - 10/09/2009 02:22:34 PM 1004 Views
Don't leave us hanging! What was the ONE book? *NM* - 10/09/2009 05:27:40 PM 456 Views
I really have no--oh that's what it was - 10/09/2009 07:27:24 PM 981 Views
I ended up liking that book... - 10/09/2009 10:39:12 PM 1630 Views
I'm not sure what's wrong with most of your list. - 10/09/2009 02:23:48 PM 994 Views
Good question. - 10/09/2009 05:49:24 PM 967 Views
Beverly Cleary should be good for that age. She did Mouse and the Motorcycle. - 10/09/2009 04:09:42 PM 896 Views
Roald Dahl is always a good choice - 10/09/2009 05:12:09 PM 1061 Views
I'd forgotten about Beverly Cleary. Good choice. *NM* - 10/09/2009 05:51:33 PM 431 Views
That was a long time ago. - 10/09/2009 04:53:24 PM 1011 Views
The Three Musketeers - 10/09/2009 06:31:31 PM 918 Views
I read this in seventh grade, LOVED IT! - 18/09/2009 01:44:01 AM 1137 Views
I don't think forcing books on kids is the way to get them to enjoy reading - 10/09/2009 10:44:08 PM 1741 Views
I do wonder generally about the curriculum being set for schools - 10/09/2009 10:44:24 PM 997 Views
books - 10/09/2009 10:51:13 PM 888 Views
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory is da bomb!!! Should be mandatory for elementary. *NM* - 11/09/2009 02:59:38 AM 444 Views
Which movie do you like better? (Now with lickable wallpaper!) - 11/09/2009 05:23:45 AM 1030 Views
Neither. Both were horrible. *NM* - 11/09/2009 12:13:07 PM 444 Views
No way, Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory is awesome! - 11/09/2009 01:12:07 PM 920 Views
Bridge to Terabithia - 11/09/2009 03:23:18 AM 885 Views
For Australian students - A Fortunate Life by A.B.Facey *NM* - 11/09/2009 03:39:23 AM 448 Views
I can't help but think, - 11/09/2009 03:07:36 PM 1022 Views
I think it should be mostly up to the teacher - 11/09/2009 08:22:59 PM 914 Views
I think it's a good idea to let kids choose their book... - 13/09/2009 07:33:47 PM 1078 Views
Umm ... my 'reading' class was like ... - 18/09/2009 01:56:11 AM 889 Views

Reply to Message