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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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Order of Merlin, 4th Class
Points: 1380
gandalfthegray says:
I agree with JKR but she should have included all the Harry Potter books first on her list! I really enjoyed reading To Kill A Mockingbird and Animal Farm in school!
Posted Feb 2, 2006 at 4:36 AM EST
Witch
Points: 561
The Seventh says:
Wow I've actually read a couple of these books!! and I have been wanting to read a few she has on there... Just to let you people know Animal Farm while in great depth is a book all should read for its message it is not very interesting and it seems a bit childish at times... just my opinion if your gonna read the book it'll be the message that gets you not the entertainment.
Posted Feb 2, 2006 at 6:09 AM EST
Princess of Anime
Points: 7411
Allenoray Mozart says:
Well, so far I've read one of those books, well more like play, it was "Hamlet" I did love it though! The rest I'll have to read, of course if Jo says there good, then of course they'll be good. ;-D
Posted Feb 2, 2006 at 11:23 AM EST
Prefect
Points: 313
Shanthis says:
I've read a few of those books they were really good but i didnt like "Catcher In The Rye" very mutch.
Posted Feb 2, 2006 at 12:38 PM EST
Auror
Points: 2624
ravenmadluna says:
Wow, ok well .... Ive never read any of those books. I think thats kinda bad because they are all kind of well known, shame on me! I cant help it i like fantasy book and the others bored me.
Posted Feb 2, 2006 at 1:04 PM EST
Student
Points: 228
herrmione potter says:
I like JKR's choices of books. I love the book The Catcher in the Rye By JD Salinger. That book was one of my favorites. I also love the book To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee. I really like these choices. I agree with Rowling that every pupil should read these books they are all interesting.
Posted Feb 2, 2006 at 1:05 PM EST
Ravenclaw Ambassador
Points: 3115
Nevar says:
Hmmmmm....what an interesting name on that list...
Beatrix Potter...now that's fascinating.
N
Posted Feb 2, 2006 at 1:37 PM EST
Auror
Points: 2809
Tenshi says:
Hmmm I wanted to read David Copperfield.... I'll try to find it now...
I didn't really like To Kill A Mockingbird... more a fantasy person, I am. :)
Posted Feb 2, 2006 at 2:06 PM EST
Ravenclaw Mastermind
Points: 9722
Isilwen Ciryatan says:
Well I've read Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Animal Farm, and am in the middle of To Kill a Mockingbird (all of which really are good books).
Posted Feb 2, 2006 at 3:53 PM EST
Lady of Hufflepuff
(Moderator)
Points: 9743
Lady Lee says:
Some of these books I had read and thought were pretty good. Maybe sometime when I have time I'll check out some of the other ones she listed.
Posted Feb 2, 2006 at 3:59 PM EST
Squib
Points: 169
evil.girl says:
How cool! I read nearly all of those books in primary school, and i really enjoyed them too, its a great list, but of course it is, because she picked them!
Posted Feb 2, 2006 at 6:03 PM EST
Student
Points: 258
Brittany** says:
Awesome....i've never heard of any of them but I will look for them the next time I go to the Libary.
Brittany**
Posted Feb 2, 2006 at 7:15 PM EST
Auror
Points: 2095
phoenix_feathers says:
I've actually read a few of them, which shows just what great taste I have. Jo made very good suggestions to all. She really cares...
Posted Feb 2, 2006 at 10:17 PM EST
Prefect
Points: 313
xKreacherx says:
I've read all but two. I really liked Wuthering Heights, thats probably one of my favorite books besides Harry Potter, its a very good list, just rather short
Posted Feb 2, 2006 at 10:42 PM EST
Order of Merlin, 4th Class
Points: 1380
gandalfthegray says:
I have read all of those books and made reports on three of them. But, Animal Farm? I have no idea why, did she put that on her list of books to read? That book is racist, neo-nazi and should be for a level of understanding and not just to be read alone.
Posted Feb 3, 2006 at 3:45 AM EST
The Charmer
Points: 3174
Amarantine says:
Yay, I've read all of those books. I love Catch-22, I read that last year. I reckon all young adults should read something by Bernard Cornwell too, and Garth Nix rocks my lil stripy socks. Just thought I'd let you all know that *nods*
~*Aquilus*~
Posted Feb 3, 2006 at 10:06 AM EST
Magical Sanitary Supplier
Points: 2511
5225 says:
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
I put those I have 'read' (watched the movie or read a comic book that has that particular story (wuthering heights))in bold. By the way, if I am not mistaken, has Animal Farm been made into a cartoon? Because I have seen a cartoon with the exact same title.
Posted Feb 3, 2006 at 12:01 PM EST
Squib
Points: 111
mysstyff says:
I love her list, I already have half the books for my kids and as they get older I will definitely fill it out with the rest.
Posted Feb 3, 2006 at 12:46 PM EST
Grillows Girl
Points: 2785
Miss Baltimore Crabs says:
I've only read two of those books... should really read the rest.
Posted Feb 3, 2006 at 5:07 PM EST
Student
Points: 211
Hermione8907 says:
Good choices. I have read and watched Animal Farm. It was good. I should probably read it again.
Posted Feb 4, 2006 at 2:14 AM EST
Auror
Points: 3044
Tinker.belle says:
Well if JK Rowling says so i believe they are really good books. I'll first read Hamlet. What is it about??
Posted Feb 4, 2006 at 12:21 PM EST
Lupin's Eternal Love
Points: 3062
BlackKatL says:
It´s cool of her to recomend a book list..... But these can´t beat HP... at least not for me!
Posted Feb 4, 2006 at 12:28 PM EST
Witch
Points: 823
Jynx says:
I've read To Kill a Mockingbird and it is one of my very favorite books. It teaches such a good lesson, and, no, no real mockingbirds were killed.
I've also read Animal Farm and it's not one of my favorite books. I think it's kinda weird. My class did a whole lot of studying the symobolism in the book and I barely understood any of it. But you may want to read it anyway in case you might like it.
I'm going to have to go to the library and check out those books. Since Mrs. Rowling and Mr. Pullman (I LOVE his books, too!) are such renowned authors, I don't doubt their judgement.
Posted Feb 4, 2006 at 2:36 PM EST
Auror
Points: 2286
mad_eye muggle says:
Wicked!JKR has a great taste in books.I should try and read them all.I think it would be nice and interesting to read.HP RULES!
Posted Feb 4, 2006 at 10:55 PM EST
Head Boy
Points: 497
Zauber says:
I thoght she would have recommended one of her ownbooks,oh well.David Copperfield has to be one of my favourite films because it starred Daniel Radcliffe and Maggie Smith.
Posted Feb 5, 2006 at 3:08 PM EST
Witch
Points: 581
berries&cream says:
I'm going to buy them! ..I'll enjoy them !! a lot!!
Posted Feb 5, 2006 at 4:08 PM EST
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