Hmm. I agree yes, children should be able to read what they are interested in. But it also depends on how your teacher is teaching the class. I was taught on how to be a demanding reader, looking for things and asking myself things. I was taught to write my thoughts in books, highlight and underline, and look for major themes. I started reading serious topics young, so maybe that helped me in high school when reading literature. I personally loved Gatsby because I could relate to Nick and Gatsby. It's probably my favorite book honestly. We also took to learning about the authors themselves which helped. Learning the history of their eras a bit.

I believe children should read what they like, but also read the classics. Teachers help if they can inspire. Its about finding the good and being able to understand. I've always had excellent English teachers and to that I am grateful. I find value in books I used to dislike years on sometimes. Sometimes it's about growing up to be quite honest. To view the world in a... spectators view. To look in somebody else's shoes.