Top 10: Books You Were Forced to Read in School

Yep, I was forced to read these books as a kid too. Must be a rite of passage. A few I read on my own, but many of these were assigned.

Check out this list from Time Magazine online by Gilbert Cruz to see if you had to read them too! And more importantly, will you make your kids read them too?!!

Really do check out the article; it has descriptions for all the books.

p.s. As I reflect on this list ten years after posting on it, I realize that I am now looking at it through a different lens. I am noticing how this entire list is comprised of white authors with white characters. There is only one female author on this list and the vast majority of the books have male lead characters.

In fact, the only lead female character in a positive light is written by a female author. The other lead female character written by a man is morally compromised.

It’s interesting that this was the reading list that so many of us grew up on. I read every single one of these books growing up. My middle daughter, PickyKidPix, is now attempting to read the classics during her gap year before college. She has had the opportunity to read more widely in high school in her English classes. Her assigned book lists have included contemporary authors including many women of color. It will be interesting to see if her assigned reading lists have shaped her in any way. Perhaps reading about strong female characters will help to make her bolder and more risk-taking. Perhaps she will be able to see herself as the lead character in her own story. I hope so.

Best Assigned Reading High School and Middle School Books

10. To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee

Thumbs up from me! Love this book, love the movie!

9. Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck

Yep, this is a keeper but I am biased because my husband grew up in Monterey, California so Steinbeck is steeped in his blood. But truly The Grapes of Wrath is his finest work.

8. A Separate Peace by John Knowles

A teacher will force your child to read this book but it’s a good one.

7. The Catcher in the Rye by J. D. Salinger

A rite of passage for every rebel without a cause (a.k.a. middle schooler). Let your child “discover” this book on their own and prepare for rebellion.

6. Animal Farm by George Orwell

Did not love this book. Isn’t the cold war over? Can’t we all get along?! Let your child get this assigned in class.

5. The Lord of the Flies by William Golding

Every middle schooler kind of knows this reality so let someone else assign it unless your kid is a bully. Then make him or her read it. And then really discuss it.

4. The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald

I liked F. Scott as much as the next person, but what was all the fuss about this book? It’s not a bad book but I think there are better, more relevant books out there.