[Tigermoth]

Just read the article and list from the OP, and it seems the author and I are in agreement about some things.

A couple of her choices seemed odd, though. Dickens I'd avoid. If students are inclined to read Dickens, they will on their own. Everyone else will be bored. Also, as much as I love Grendel, it shouldn't really be read without having first read Beowulf, which shouldn't be read unless you plan on spending a lot of time on it.

I also disagree with the author's inclusion of Alice in Wonderland, Where the Wild Things Are, and A Wrinkle in Time. These are all excellent books that are well appreciated by children and adults, but not by teenagers. If you hand a 16-year old a copy of Where the Wild Things Are, he'd likely be offended.

Something I meant to add before: Students this age are basically adults who are tired of being treated like kids. Don't underestimate their intellectual capabilities, and don't underestimate how sensitive they can be about being treated like children.