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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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Auror
Points: 2514
School Governor says:
I've read some of those books. Unfortunately I do not have the time to read more books now. Too busy working!
Posted Jan 31, 2006 at 3:57 AM EST
Student
Points: 211
Regulus_Alphard says:
I totally agree with them! If I'd make a list they would be onto it.Especially Hamlet,Robison Cruose and David Copperfield. Go on and read the wonderful stories guys!!! By the way,how's the story to kill a mocking bird hermione624??
Posted Jan 31, 2006 at 4:33 AM EST
Order of Merlin, 4th Class
Points: 1380
gandalfthegray says:
I've heard Catch 22 is quite good. I've read [i]Charle and the Chocolate Factory [/], who hasnt, and its one of my faves.
Posted Jan 31, 2006 at 4:37 AM EST
Mistress of Enchantment
Points: 19630
Muse of the Aurors says:
Hmmm nice list actually. The only 3 I've ever read are: Hamlet, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, and Animal Farm. I can't think if I've read To Kill A Mockingbird or if I planned to read it.
Posted Jan 31, 2006 at 4:57 AM EST
Order of Merlin, 1st Class
Points: 1845
LunaLovegood says:
I've read all of them! wow, now I'm proud of it really.. :P
Posted Jan 31, 2006 at 4:57 AM EST
Auror
Points: 2474
Leina D. says:
That is some excellent choices if i do say so myself!
i have read a few on that short list! fantastic stuff it is! i'll get reading on the others now!
Posted Jan 31, 2006 at 5:08 AM EST
Parselmouth
Points: 29050
Thestral Eyes says:
PHILIP PULLMAN!!! :D i LOVE his books, i even like them better then rowlings, fantastic author! 1st time ive seen him mentiones on hpana yey! *hyperventalates*
Ahem...would have said his books would be a must read and terry pratchetts, but theyre not realy childrens books hmm suppose i agree with the choices then, though i got sick to death of to kill a mockingbird at school and same with animal farm. Though animal farm i thought was great, showing what we humans are like through the pigs.
Posted Jan 31, 2006 at 5:16 AM EST
Auror
Points: 2334
Chahat says:
Well I have read some them although have heard about all of them. Maybe I'll read till I wait for the next book. Alhtough I think Shakespear is not my cup of tea.
Posted Jan 31, 2006 at 5:20 AM EST
Auror
Points: 2107
Happy Pancakes says:
there are some great books there. I have read most of them, but it is great to hear what JKs recommended ones are!
Posted Jan 31, 2006 at 5:21 AM EST
Auror
Points: 2799
Oliver Wood is Fit says:
Wuthering Heights and To Kill A Mocking Bird are two I'd definitely like to read. I'm half way through the second reading of HP now, but after that I might well get one of those.
Posted Jan 31, 2006 at 5:38 AM EST
Order of Merlin, 1st Class
Points: 1800
Hermione5 says:
Oh, God, I feel so stupid, I've only read 3 of those books on the list... :S but it seems to be a good list I think, though I miss The Lord of the Rings, His Dark Materials, and the Potter series :P ;) *winks*
Posted Jan 31, 2006 at 5:39 AM EST
Muggle
Points: 77
ze_hp_love says:
These books are cool, I love catch 22!!
SHe recomands good books, and she's a great author!!
Posted Jan 31, 2006 at 5:40 AM EST
Prefect
Points: 329
Potter-Addict says:
These are all good books, especially Hamlet...Excellent! I will try to read some of the others!
Posted Jan 31, 2006 at 5:40 AM EST
Witch
Points: 534
mrs radcliffe/potter says:
Wow! That is a pretty good book list!! Ive actualy read a couple of them in their version for kids obviously but anyway I think she should have out in the lista at least one od the Harry Potter books, I mean I read a news while ago that SS was already in the book list in come universities in the US!!
PS:she's got a pretty nice taste for literature
Posted Jan 31, 2006 at 6:12 AM EST
Muggle Representative
Points: 9117
The Lime says:
Well, since 'Hamlet' is about a Danish prince, I've read that. Ofcourse :) I've not read any of the other books, though.. maybe I will..
Posted Jan 31, 2006 at 6:24 AM EST
Witch
Points: 966
Weasleyismyking!/R/Hrfrv says:
i think I've Hamlet but I haven't read it. Shame on me..I started Romeo and Juliet and haven't finish reading i.Sham again.
Posted Jan 31, 2006 at 6:31 AM EST
Witch
Points: 966
Weasleyismyking!/R/Hrfrv says:
ohhhh YES I've read Robinson Crusoe...I didn't see it at the list at first...
Posted Jan 31, 2006 at 6:34 AM EST
Order of Merlin, 4th Class
Points: 1345
Dracos_Gurl13 says:
I'm going to the library tonight to pick up all of these books. This is going to take a while but if JKR says its worth it, than it must be. I still have to read the ones from Daniel Radcliffe!
Posted Jan 31, 2006 at 6:58 AM EST
Witch
Points: 508
LunaLovegoodDA says:
Wow 3 of my favorite books are on there! To Kill A Mockingbird, Catch 22, and Catcher in the Rye! I also really enjoyed Hamlet as well...
Posted Jan 31, 2006 at 7:10 AM EST
Original of the Species
Points: 4352
Spell Weaver says:
I like all of Jo's picks but unfortunately I've read them all. They are wonderful books that have stood the test of time...classics. I hope Jo's Harry Potter books will be viewed as classics in the next 20-30 years as well.
Posted Jan 31, 2006 at 7:11 AM EST
Wizard
Points: 906
*The*Physical*Being* says:
interesting, unfortunately I have read NONE of them, so I must get cracking. Thanks for the selection Ms. Rowling!!!!
Posted Jan 31, 2006 at 7:17 AM EST
Student
Points: 247
RioWeasley12 says:
Oh!!! Feel so very stupid!!! cause i haven't read anything in the list!!! Well of i just watch the film Charlie and the chocolate Factory As i see in the movie it must be a very good book!!!
Well!! the list is for younger pupil i guess!!! so i am not for of it anymore!!! HEHEHE
But i try to read most of the books in the list!!1
Thank's to Jo's list, if a Famous author Recommend those book it just mean that the books are really good!!
Cheers*!!! to the Maker of the Potter Series!!1
J.K Rowling Rocks!!!
Posted Jan 31, 2006 at 7:28 AM EST
Lupin's Furry Girlfriend
Points: 6740
theslugclub says:
I have not read any of those books :) So i'll go shopping this afternoon to buy some :) To Kill A Mockingbird has been recomended to me so I'll read that one first.
Posted Jan 31, 2006 at 7:30 AM EST
Harry’s Egg, Dan’s Duck
Points: 4731
Pearl* says:
This is so cool!!! I love literature!!! But I just finished 1984 by Orwell (which is absolutely brilliant and hey, DJR agrees with me here) and now it turns out I should have read ANimal Farm...
And The Tale of Two Bad Mice -- Beatrix Potter is my favourite BP too!!!
But what about Jane Austen? I know JKR is an ardent fan... so what about her books???
Posted Jan 31, 2006 at 7:37 AM EST
Harry’s Egg, Dan’s Duck
Points: 4731
Pearl* says:
And I would have thought she'd go for MAcbeth rather than Hamlet... what with all the HArry-links? And actually, I like MAcbeth better than Hamlet anyway. (well, probably because of these very same HP-links...)
Posted Jan 31, 2006 at 7:39 AM EST
Student
Points: 219
Jack Rabbit Slim says:
I've read all of those books/plays except for 'Wuthering Heights' and 'A Tale of Two Bad Mice'. Catch 22 is an awesum book, one of the greatest ever written imo, not really one for younger readers though. Animal farm is great if you understand the hidden social meaning of communism behind the plot. And of course anything by Roald Dahl or Daniel Defoe is adventurous and loved everywhere by young and old.
Great list!
P.S. I would also reccommend Philip Pullman's 'Dark Materials' trilogy, 'Birdsong' by Sebastian Faulks (for older readers), and 'Treasure Island' by Robert Louis Stevenson.
Posted Jan 31, 2006 at 7:43 AM EST
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