We read it as well, I really enjoyed it but as per usual in English classes, teachers force you to go through every sentence of the book looking for symbolism and What The Author Was Really Referring To until you can't stand to look at it anymore. Either way, still very nice. =) We watched the movie as well and the movie misses out so much of the book, but that's understandable.
I think it's ridiculous that book is banned in some school systems, I don't even know where to start on that. =\