Great Expectations, by Charles Dickens

Great Expectations was required reading in high school, and I remember hating the book more than I remember the book itself. During my rediscovery of Dickens as an adult, I skipped Great Expectations with prejudice, but when it crossed my path recently by happenstance, I gave it another go and enjoyed it tremendously.  I still think it's a poor choice for 17 year olds -- the themes of gratitude and ingratitude and the value of earning what you get are not likely to resonate well with a high school audience.