From a teaching stand-point I love the figurative language, symbolism, and other many literary devices that I am able to use when teaching this book... However, for some reason, my students cannot keep the names of the characters straight! Jack, Piggy, and Ralph seem to be the only names that they can remember. I realize that the vocabulary for this book is probably a little challenging, but my 10th grade students just wouldn't read at all! *Blowing out a sigh.* Perhaps we'll try something different next year. 
 From a "I Like to Read What I Want on My Own" standpoint, this wouldn't be quite so high on my list. I don't necessary look for things like figurative language and definitely don't look for symbolism when reading for pleasure. I like the plot line of once civilized boys lost on an island turn to savagery, but this wouldn't be my first choice. The teacher side of me won out which means it receives 4 stars versus 3.