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For most books the minute that they become "work" the enjoyment of reading them is greatly diminished.
In high school I was a good student, graduated top 5% of my class. I read lots of books on my own. I was in honors English class. The only assigned book I can remember reading and finishing was The Good Earth by Pearl S. Buck. I read more Cliff's Notes and study guides than books. I tried to get into all books assigned but I just could not muster any interest.
When a book is an assignment you are no longer reading it for your pleasure but to get a good grade. You may form your own opinions but those will probably not get you an "A" and that is what becomes the goal when you read a book because you have to not because you want to. So you learn to regurgitate whatever it is that the teacher and other great minds have said the book is about.
I'm in my 40s now and still read as much as ever. Now that I have a Nook Color I find I'm reading more classics and actually enjoying them.
Should kids have to read the Harry Potter series? If a teacher sees the value of it for their students then yes. The thing is that when we really like something we try to get others to like like it also, but we have to accept that everyone has different tastes and interests. I can't help but think that most teachers actually do like the books they teach but that doesn't mean that their students will or that the books will mean anything more to them than something they had to read in order to be considered educated.
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