Do We Still Need to Read Classic Literature?

For generations, schools have leaned heavily on classic literature. Shakespeare, Dickens, Austen, Brontë - names that instantly conjure images of hefty books and language that can feel worlds away from modern life. But many parents ask: is it still necessary for our children to read these texts?

This debate has become sharper in recent years, especially as teachers look to make reading lists more inclusive and relevant. Let’s explore both sides.

The Case for Classics

One of the strongest arguments for keeping classics in the curriculum is their cultural weight. These works have shaped much of Western literature and continue to echo in films, television, and even everyday phrases. Without some knowledge of them, students can feel left out of conversations where those references matter.

In fact, many of the stories our children already enjoy come directly from classic texts. Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet inspired West Side Story, and The Lion King is a modern take on Hamlet. Jane Austen’s Emma was reimagined as Clueless, while the themes of Pride and Prejudice are easy to spot in period dramas like Bridgerton. Dickens’ characters and plots continue to appear on screen too, from the musical Oliver! to countless versions of A Christmas Carol, including one performed by the Muppets. The Brontës and Mary Shelley are also never far away, with Wuthering Heights and Frankenstein returning again and again in new film and television adaptations. Even if a child hasn’t read these books, they’ve probably already encountered their influence.

There’s also research to support their educational value. Studies in literacy development suggest that tackling challenging, older texts helps students build stronger comprehension skills and resilience when faced with unfamiliar language (National Literacy Trust, 2019). For example, Shakespeare’s Macbeth pushes students to think about ambition, morality, and guilt in a way that’s both intellectually demanding and emotionally powerful.

Classics also tackle timeless themes. Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice, though written over 200 years ago, still resonates with questions of social status, gender roles, and family expectations that teenagers recognise in their own lives.

Hamlet

The Case for Modern Texts

On the other hand, modern literature brings immediacy. Books like Angie Thomas’s The Hate U Give or Malorie Blackman’s Noughts & Crosses offer perspectives that reflect contemporary issues (racism, inequality, identity) that feel urgent and relatable. Students often find themselves more engaged when they see their own world, or at least something closer to it, represented on the page.

Research from the Education Endowment Foundation highlights that motivation is a key driver in reading progress. If a student enjoys the text, they are more likely to persist, read independently, and develop fluency. This raises a valid question: if a student is disengaged from Great Expectations but engrossed in a modern novel that explores similar themes, isn’t the learning outcome stronger with the modern choice?

For many boys in particular, modern texts can be a gateway into reading. Studies from the National Literacy Trust (2020) show that boys are more likely to say they enjoy reading when they are offered books that feel relevant to their lives or that connect with their hobbies and interests. Graphic novels, contemporary young adult fiction, or stories with fast-paced plots often capture their attention far more effectively than dense Victorian prose. A novel like Anthony Horowitz’s Alex Rider series or Jason Reynolds’s Long Way Down might hook a reluctant reader in a way that Dickens never could. Once confidence builds, boys are more willing to tackle challenging texts later on.

Boys reading

Classic vs Modern: A Comparison

The key themes explored in literature never really go out of date. What changes is the lens through which they are told.

Take power and inequality. Dickens’s Oliver Twist exposes poverty and injustice in Victorian England, while Angie Thomas’s The Hate U Give confronts systemic racism and inequality in today’s society. Both ask readers to grapple with unfairness, but the settings reflect very different worlds.

When it comes to love and relationships, Austen’s Pride and Prejudice dissects family pressures and social expectations around marriage. In contrast, Sally Rooney’s Normal People explores intimacy, communication, and the struggles of growing up in contemporary Ireland. The themes are the same (what it means to love and be loved) but the way they are expressed feels more recognisable to modern teenagers.

Ambition and morality are just as timeless. Shakespeare’s Macbeth shows the destructive consequences of unchecked ambition, while Suzanne Collins’s The Hunger Games asks similar questions about power, sacrifice, and the cost of survival, but in a dystopian setting that speaks directly to younger readers today.

For boys in particular, modern adventure-driven texts can provide a crucial bridge into reading. Robert Louis Stevenson’s Treasure Island or Alexandre Dumas’s The Three Musketeers once offered the swashbuckling excitement that hooked generations of young readers. Today, fast-paced series such as Anthony Horowitz’s Alex Rider, Rick Riordan’s Percy Jackson, or Jason Reynolds’s Long Way Down fulfil the same role. They deliver action, moral dilemmas, and relatable heroes in a way that feels immediate and accessible. Once boys discover that reading can be thrilling rather than a chore, they are more likely to persevere with challenging classics later on.

Where Non-Fiction Fits In

While the debate often focuses on classics versus modern novels, it’s also worth looking at the role of non-fiction in young people’s reading today. With the rise of podcasts, documentaries, and social media news, students are exposed to more information than ever before. Non-fiction books help them navigate that world with clarity and critical thinking.

Biographies, memoirs, and narrative non-fiction can be just as powerful as fiction in building empathy and perspective. For example, Malala Yousafzai’s I Am Malala or David Attenborough’s A Life on Our Planet not only inform but also inspire young readers to think about justice, resilience, and global responsibility. In a different way, accessible science and history titles give children the chance to explore subjects that spark curiosity beyond the classroom.

There is also strong evidence that non-fiction supports academic success. Research from the National Literacy Trust (2021) found that children who regularly read non-fiction develop stronger vocabulary and knowledge-building skills. This is particularly important in an age where exam questions increasingly require students to apply understanding across different subjects.

Compared with classics, non-fiction offers immediacy and relevance. A student might struggle to see why Great Expectations matters to them, but they may be deeply motivated by a book on climate change, mental health, or sports. While classics provide cultural grounding, non-fiction equips children with the tools to question, interpret, and engage with the world around them today.

Newspapers

Finding a Way Forward

Rather than choosing between classics and modern texts, many educators suggest blending both. A student might study Macbeth alongside The Hunger Games, or compare Dickens with a contemporary YA novel about poverty. This approach builds cultural literacy while also making the lessons feel relevant.

For parents, the question might be less about “classic versus modern” and more about whether a text allows your child to grow in confidence and enjoy the process of reading. Engagement and comprehension matter more than ticking off a list of canonical authors.

At Core Plus Tuition, we believe the key is balance. Exposure to classics enriches cultural knowledge, while modern texts often spark greater personal connection. Both can develop skills and confidence, but the real win is when a child finishes a book and wants to pick up another.

Drop us a message if you would like to chat further about books or how to get your child to engage in reading.

Reading together