I'm sure there were plenty, but I honestly don't remember them for the life of me.

I really don't think a lot of the books that kids are assigned to read should be assigned though. Unless there is a specific reason that a book should be taught, I see no reason that there should be this core list of children's books that must be read by every school kid out there.

In the 5th grade I read The Stand by Stephen King, and while some of it went over my head, overall I really liked it. That may not be typical of a 5th grader, but I mention it because my parents allowed and even encouraged me to read it. I see no reason why the books have to be the swill that children are forced to digest. Why not branch out and find merit in other books that the students are more likely to enjoy, and who knows, they may find out that they like reading and develop a good lifelong habit.

On top of all that, as far as education goes later on....schools seriously need to stop teaching Brave New World to kids just getting into high school. It is a book that I enjoyed quite a bit, but it's one that a lot of kids that age really seem to loath. I really don't remember a lot of kids walking away with positive things to say about it, and I think it really puts a lot of potential sci-fi fans off those types of books.