"The Pearl" by John Steinbeck.
My son will be in 9th grade next year, so I looked up the summer reading list so that he can start reading some of the books early while he's on winter break since summer will be busy with marching band practice. This book was short, so I figured I'd read it today since I had nothing else to do and then I'd be able to discuss it with him after he reads it. I will now anticipate his reaction to the book, because I know him too well:
"It was fine."
At this point, I will need to prompt him some more.
"Why do I have to read 'important' books? Why does it have to mean anything? It's obvious what was going to happen. Why is this book famous?"
At this point, I will be forced to rely on the mom standby, "Because."
