In the Obie Joe household, Hatchet by Gary Paulsen is king. With four teenagers, and one soon-to-be, and of course, one wanna be (she's still a toddler, though), the Hatchet is a story memorized.
And while the story features Paulsen's excellence in Young Adult literature, Hatchet remains a bit of a sore topic in the household. Why? Because it's required reading. Hatchet is one of those perennials on the summer reading lists from teachers. Just try to get your hands on a copy from the library or bookstore in the weeks before summer's end.
Which makes us think about the usefulness of summer reading lists. Mr. & Ms. Obie Joe adore any spark to encourage young readers. Yet we can't wonder as to their wisdom when so many of the lists are copycats, uninspired, rigorous for no purpose and just plain unfun. In a world where the increase in YA readers is now outpacing every other book sector, do we really need reading lists to dictate every aspect? How about one suggestion, and then let the kids roam as they like.
Just like the kid in Hatchet -- he'll find his own way.
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