[nopardons]

Did you also ONLY READ NON-FICTION, when you were in the 3rd through 8th grades? That's the level of most of the fiction books listed and were once required reading in public, private, and parochial schools when I was little.

THE RED BADGE OF COURAGE was usually required reading in high school and I agree with you re the "unfortunately"!

Good fiction (poetry too ) has its place and should be required reading in grades 3-8, instead of the garbage that is currently being required, even in the best, most elite private day schools.

[txnativegop]

what little fiction I read in school, I remembered long enough to get a grade and then promptly forgot.

as for poetry, I write it, but don’t usually read it.
I made the mistake of glancing at one of E. E. Cummings collections, it was the most unintelligible, childish garbage I have ever read.

Shakespeare, I’ll give you that one, (I prefer the movies)