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Rowling's choices of books students should read 
JANUARY 30, 2006 at 9:34 PM
Posted by GERI
Source: The Herald
In a debate on literature and the curriculum famous authors such as Harry Potter author JK Rowling and Philip Pullman have created
lists of books that all pupils should read. At the top of Ms. Rowling's list are Wuthering Heights and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.
- Rowling choices:
- Wuthering Heights -- Emily Bronte
- Charlie and the Chocolate Factory -- Roald Dahl
- Robinson Crusoe -- Daniel Defoe
- David Copperfield -- Charles Dickens
- Catch-22 -- Joseph Heller
- To Kill a Mockingbird -- Harper Lee
- Animal Farm -- George Orwell
- The Tale of Two Bad Mice -- Beatrix Potter
- The Catcher in the Rye -- JD Salinger
- Hamlet -- William Shakespeare
Their lists were published in the yearly issue of Royal Society of Literature magazine.
Anthony Gardner, editor of the magazine said:
My impression is that when you are recommending books for children there are books that have stood the test of time and are always going to be popular ... but inevitably people are always going to want to make an effort to keep children in touch with what is being written at the moment.
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Professor
(Moderator)
Points: 1180
Vermin Jerky says:
That is a really good picture of JKR. Good choice, whoever.
I'm a little ashamed to say I've only read two of those, for sure. I may have read Hamlet and A Tale of Two Bad Mice at some point in my life, but I won't swear to it.
I know I've read Animal Farm, and To Kill a Mockingbird is one of my all-time favorites.
At some point in my life I intend to read The Catcher in the Rye and Catch-22, and maybe Charlie and the Chocolate Factory if I can get over the shame of checking out a non-Potter children's book from the library.
The others never interested me that much, though. I have odd reading tastes. I've found that I simply can't abide certain writing styles and there are some classics that I don't find to be to my taste at all.
Making me a voracious but picky reader, I suppose.
Posted Jan 31, 2006 at 10:47 AM EST
Charms Mistress
(Moderator)
Points: 4725
Weesa says:
I have to say that's an impressive list. Hopefully students will take JKR's advice and read them all. I especially recommend Hamlet but then I love any Shakespeare.
Posted Jan 31, 2006 at 10:48 AM EST
Black's Bait
Points: 3319
ZoeLovesSiriusBlack says:
Hmm I wonder what book this is : Wuthering Heights -- Emily Bronte . I have't heard of all the ones above,but I guess she just gave them a heck of a ot of publicity!
Posted Jan 31, 2006 at 10:53 AM EST
Squib
Points: 164
vintalite says:
I have read most of it.But I think Jane Eyre would me more ok than Wuthering heights.Wuthering heights is kind of sad.
Posted Jan 31, 2006 at 11:01 AM EST
Squib
Points: 132
littleman2473 says:
Now i really want to read these books since Jo has reccomended them.
Posted Jan 31, 2006 at 11:16 AM EST
Remus Lupin's Lover
Points: 2685
Remus_David_luver says:
I haven't read all of those books but I have certainly heard of all of them and know that they are great books. I have read Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (then again, who hasn't?) and I had to read To Kill A Mockingbird for English last year, and it good!
Posted Jan 31, 2006 at 11:25 AM EST
Sorceress of Ink
Points: 5003
~*Something Special*~ says:
Hmmm....
Wuthering Heights -- Emily Bronte ---> Read
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory -- Roald Dahl ---> Gotta find a copy!
Robinson Crusoe -- Daniel Defoe ---> Read
David Copperfield -- Charles Dickens ---> Read
Catch-22 -- Joseph Heller ---> Gotta get a copy!
To Kill a Mockingbird -- Harper Lee ---> Heard about it...have to find a copy!
Animal Farm -- George Orwell ---> l0l...this one was comical!
The Tale of Two Bad Mice -- Beatrix Potter ---> Heh? Gotta get a copy!
The Catcher in the Rye -- JD Salinger ---> Never heard of it...gotta get a copy!
Hamlet -- William Shakespeare ---> Read!
Posted Jan 31, 2006 at 11:26 AM EST
Points: 865
superduperpotter says:
Ive already read charlie and the chocolate factory and im studying hamlet for my gcse's. I think i might be doing to kill a mocking bird for my next coursework. Hope its good.
Posted Jan 31, 2006 at 11:32 AM EST
Squib
Points: 192
Ovi-wan says:
Not bad. I can agree with most of them. Although there are many more books kids should read other than just ten. For example: Don Quijote de la Mancha.
Posted Jan 31, 2006 at 11:32 AM EST
Order of Merlin, 2nd Class
Points: 1725
zues says:
I don't really like to read. I haven't read any of them and I don't care to. If I get one I'll read it but I'm not going to go out of my way to find any of them.
Posted Jan 31, 2006 at 12:05 PM EST
Queen of Magical Divas
Points: 3967
Ezzy says:
of the list I have only read
Wuthering Heights -- Emily Bronte
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory -- Roald Dahl
Robinson Crusoe -- Daniel Defoe
David Copperfield -- Charles Dickens
Catch-22 -- Joseph Heller
To Kill a Mockingbird -- Harper Lee
Animal Farm -- George Orwell
The Tale of Two Bad Mice -- Beatrix Potter
The Catcher in the Rye -- JD Salinger
Hamlet -- William Shakespeare
I will try to read all except for Shakespeare. I don't like him. I see I have reading to do. :)
P.S. Ovi-wan I agree with you. I am not a child. I am 43 years old as of yesterday. :)
Posted Jan 31, 2006 at 12:08 PM EST
Wizard
Points: 518
theduece says:
of the list I have only read
Wuthering Heights -- Emily Bronte
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory -- Roald Dahl
Robinson Crusoe -- Daniel Defoe
David Copperfield -- Charles Dickens
Catch-22 -- Joseph Heller
To Kill a Mockingbird -- Harper Lee
Animal Farm -- George Orwell
The Tale of Two Bad Mice -- Beatrix Potter
The Catcher in the Rye -- JD Salinger
Hamlet -- William Shakespeare
I figured she was a Roald Dahl fan the beginning of the first book reminded me of so of his work. I must say she has very good taste.
Posted Jan 31, 2006 at 12:24 PM EST
Keeper of the Faeries
Points: 5051
juliebug04 says:
She made some really good suggestions. I would also include Of Mice and Men. That's a interesting book that we read in the 10th grade.
Posted Jan 31, 2006 at 12:30 PM EST
Muggle
Points: 80
~#1 DeMeNtOr HuNtEr~ says:
Great suggestions. I love those books.
Posted Jan 31, 2006 at 12:32 PM EST
Professor
Points: 1018
ILuvHarryDiggoryKrum says:
I am slightly embarased to say iv only read ( i think) 2 of them wich im ashamed of!!!!!!!!!!
IM GONNA READ THEM ALL
Posted Jan 31, 2006 at 12:50 PM EST
Muggle
Points: 78
Trackangel06 says:
I've heard of Wuthering Heights but never really got around to reading it. Is it any good?
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory...who doesn't love Charlie and the Chocolate Factory?? Willy Wonka has to be one of my most favorite authors.
Robinson Crusoe...I've never even heard of this book!! Is it worth reading?
The only problem with David Copperfield is that I don't like Charles Dickens. I just can't get into his writing
I should find myself a copy of Catch-22, it sounds good!
I read To Kill a Mockingbird in 10th grade, and thought it was very, very interesting.
Animal Farm scared the crap out of me!! Pigs used to be my favorite animal!
Never heard of The Tale of Two Bad Mice. I kind of reminds me of the book Of Mice and Men
I heard that The Catcher in the Rye was good, is it?
I've read Hamlet, Shakespeare was a genious. (Sadly, I don't think I spelled "genious" right!)
I'm going to have to try to find those books that I haven't read!
Thanks for the "tips" J.K.!!
Posted Jan 31, 2006 at 1:09 PM EST
Professor
Points: 1055
NYmphTonks says:
These books are really great recommendations! Although I haven't read Wuthering Heights, Robinson Crusoe, David Copperfield, The Tale of Two Bad Mice, Catch 22, or the Catcher in the Rye. I have read Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, To Kill a Mockingbird, Animal Farm, and Hamlet. I enjoyed Charlie, Hamlet, & Mockingbird, but Farm was a little hard to get interested in the story. I've enjoyed reading other things written by Shakespeare as well!!
Posted Jan 31, 2006 at 1:16 PM EST
Professor
Points: 1005
HP_obsessor says:
I'll try to read them...I already read "Charlie..." though.
Posted Jan 31, 2006 at 1:17 PM EST
Head Girl
Points: 464
I_heart_Malfoy says:
Such great sugestions....i've only read a few ....
Wuthering Heights -- Emily Bronte
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory -- Roald Dahl
Robinson Crusoe -- Daniel Defoe
David Copperfield -- Charles Dickens
Catch-22 -- Joseph Heller
To Kill a Mockingbird -- Harper Lee
Animal Farm -- George Orwell
The Tale of Two Bad Mice -- Beatrix Potter
The Catcher in the Rye -- JD Salinger
Hamlet -- William Shakespeare
Posted Jan 31, 2006 at 1:34 PM EST
Professor
Points: 1059
.:harrylover:. says:
Wow! i have some work to do:P I have read like two of those:P Thakis for the tip JK! ;)
Posted Jan 31, 2006 at 1:36 PM EST
Slytherin's Golden Locket
Points: 7858
Lady oF Shadows says:
To kill a mockingbird - yea good book!! Also all roald dahl books are good, but theyre for kids, but still good list.
Posted Jan 31, 2006 at 2:05 PM EST
Points: 3289
Crimson_Tears says:
I bet they are great books, though I've read some like Charlei at the chocolate factory and more...
-Leigh
Posted Jan 31, 2006 at 2:20 PM EST
Dumbledore's Protégé
Points: 3558
Harree Potter says:
That's weird, I am currently reading "Catcher in the Rye".
I will keep her recomendations in mind. Afterall, she is the expert.
Posted Jan 31, 2006 at 2:30 PM EST
Auror
Points: 2401
tonks 27 says:
Those are some pretty good books on her list. i've read a handful of them and really enjoyed them.
Posted Jan 31, 2006 at 2:31 PM EST
Order of Merlin, 3rd Class
Points: 1541
BB_Sectumsempra says:
I have read all of the books she listed. I agree that they are all great.
Posted Jan 31, 2006 at 2:33 PM EST
Order of Merlin, 3rd Class
Points: 1479
Newest Mrs. Weasley says:
With the exception of disliking Wuthering Heights (yet I see a similarity to the Gaunt House now...) I loved all the books on her list. I feel like I should go back and read a few now that it has been a while.
Posted Jan 31, 2006 at 2:43 PM EST
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