What would your assigned high school summer reading list look like?

Lisa Henry I had to Google what this was. We don't have assigned summer reading lists here. But if I was a high school teacher -- and everyone should be thankful I'm not -- here's what I'd get the kids to read.

1. Nineteen Eighty-Four. Because it may be the greatest novel ever written. And bonus points would be awarded to the kids who pointed out the irony of being forced to read it.

2. Jasper Jones. One of my favourite Aussie YA books.

3. Deadly, Unna? Another great Aussie YA book. It has a lot of football in it, so boys can bring themselves to read it. But then it sneakily puts other things in behind the football, forcing boys to think about Issues.

4. All Quiet on the Western Front. One of the most brilliant novels of war ever written. Both banal and terrifying, and heartbreaking.

5. Stardust by Neil Gaiman. So that after reading All Quiet on the Western Front they remember how to smile again.

I said I'd make a terrible teacher, right?

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