In class, we have discussed why this book is called "Nonrequired." After reading the Conan O'Brien's graduation speech, Part 1 which is a list of various and random things that identify 2007, and a section of part 2 which includes a comic strip. I think that it is considered nonrequired because it isn't a stereotypical novel given to high school or college students. Unlike books like The Giver, The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, and The Great Gatsby, this nonrequired reading doesn't attempt to teach kids... on purpose.
What the novel does do, is make a point about today's society, as well as reading a little more interesting. Fifty years ago, it was a totally different society. Band names for example in 1958 were the Diamonds, the Platters, and the Coasters. Today, band names include Viva L'American Death Ray, Pornopop, and Lesbians on Ecstasy. I would think that people would be seen as communists with names like this, if McCarthyism was in 1958... But this book is more fun for kids to read because of the humor. I would imagine that reading Conan O'Brien as opposed to Shakespear, would be a little more interesting for students. Personally, I enjoy reading short stories more than novels, so I really enjoy reading this collection.
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I would have to agree with you here. I think that the non-required readings were very insightful (second part ones, first part ones were just entertaining) and intriguing. I think that these short stories were much better than the Stephen King chosen ones. The stories in the non-required reading kind of threw creative inquiries and insightful viewpoints at the reader which I thought was genuinely good-natured.
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