I'm glad to read your "Algernon" review. I was looking at getting it for my Kindle, but now I won't. Like you, I read the short version in school and remember that the guy couldn't get a break. When he was dumb he was picked on. When he was too smart, he had no friends, either. Depressing.

OTOH, I plan on getting "Roots" soon. I had to read a portion of it in ninth grade, and remember being very interested in it.