This article is depressing on so many levels.

From thisislondon.co.uk:

Dozens of schools have rejected gifts of free classic books because today's pupils find them too 'difficult' to read, it has emerged.

Around 50 schools have refused to stock literary works by the likes of Jane Austen, William Shakespeare and Charles Dickens after admitting that youngsters also find them boring.

I heart the YA as much as the next person -- probably more -- but to refuse a whole set of new copies of classics for a school library because they think that no one will take them out?  Sad.  I realize I'm in the minority -- that most students won't READ in their spare time, let alone read CLASSICS -- but I read more classics (outside of class work) at that age then I do now.  There are some kids who would make use of them.

And that the reason given by some was Lack of Library?  Also sad.

I'm surprised, too, that so many people seem to find the Everyman's Library editions unattractive.  I've always liked them -- even as a teen.  They look grown-up, sure.  They even look like classics.  But I don't think they're unattractive.