A growing trend in schools is replacing full-length novels with shorter excerpts in reading assignments, raising questions about whether condensed passages can deliver the same depth of literary experience. Educators and literary experts debate whether abbreviated selections capture the complexity of classic works or risk oversimplifying themes and storytelling. Concerns also arise over whether students miss out on the full narrative arc and character development that define a novel. The shift reflects broader discussions about curriculum design, student engagement, and the evolving role of literature in education.
Schools are assigning fewer novels. Are excerpts just as good? The Washington Post
