In Knox County, it is a curriculum requirement for honors English students to complete a summer reading project prior to beginning the English course. Personally, I can’t stand them. They seem redundant to me, and I feel like our time could be better spent having the time of your life. Summer is supposed to be about living your life with your friends and family, going swimming, and staying up too late, not with your nose in a book and writing essays (unless that’s your idea of a good time). The vast majority of summer reading projects are extensive and very time consuming, and that is the reason why so many students are against them. The general opinion is that they are annoying and ridiculous. I can understand being asked to read a book as an OPTION for extra credit, but that much of a requirement just takes away precious time. High school is important but it should also be fun. It’s the time where everyone is growing up and discovering themselves, and that time is wasted by having to read two novels and do multiple projects for each. I see where it may seem beneficial or helpful, but I do not think that they should be required.
Carter Corps News 