In many English classrooms across America, assignments to read full-length novels are becoming less common. Some teachers focus instead on selected passages -- a concession to perceptions of shorter attention spans, pressure to prepare for standardized tests and a sense that short-form content will prepare students for the modern, digital world.

(AP) - Chris Stanislawski didn’t read much in his middle school English classes, but it never felt necessary. Students were given detailed chapter summaries for every novel they discussed ...