For nearly the last 12 years of our lives, the public education system has thrown book after book at us, telling us it is required that we read and decipher each page before being deemed worthy of advancing to the next grade. Early on, these books were not only enjoyable, but applicable and educational. But as the years progressed, we saw a little less Percy Jackson and a little more Huckleberry Finn. Although these newer reads are educational in the sense that there can be more to comprehend and understand. But many of these mandatory novels were written before our parents, and sometimes even our grandparents, were born.

 Junior Wyatt Engdahl believes there isn’t much of an issue.

 “So far it seems okay. The books are a little boring, but other than that it’s really fine,” said Engdahl. The learning factor of these reads is not the problem if there is one. It’s the fact they are nearly impossible to stay focused on them.

 “I just wish they were a little more entertaining,” said Engdahl.

 English teacher Michael Lara has a strong opinion on required reads.

 “I believe that our current required books are pretty justified, but there are a few that are just too old,” said Lara. As an English teacher who has to read these same books every year, his experience and opinion can’t be overlooked.

 “1984 by George Orwell is an older book, yet we are able to get a lot from it. We also need a lot more diversity in our books,” said Lara.

 Although there are many students who will be likely reading some of these novels for fun this summer, I believe for the most part that these books need to be put to bed. Their old-time charm and “genius” have run out over the last few decades, and it’s time that we discover books that weren’t written before our grandparents’ were alive.