- Share This Post
- submit
- 5
-
Sparkle (0)
The idea of adding age recommendations to children's books seems simple enough. Slated to be introduced this fall by publishers in the UK such as Hachette, Penguin, Scholastic and others, each book cover would have an age guidance on it such as "5+", "9+", etc. It would be easier for adults purchasing books for children to select books appropriate to their age group, right?. Nothing controversial, right? Turns out that's not the case at all. Authors hate it. Librarians hate it. And they are hitting back at the suggestion by protesting with a No To Age Banding Campaign.
You are probably asking why authors and librarians don't like this suggestion. One belief is that it limits readers, particularly reluctant readers who may not read to their age level. Will a ten year old who is struggling with reading be stigmatized by having to read a 7+ novel? Will it encourage a love or reading or restrict it? There's also a worry that these age bands will attempt to enforce a moral code into books - no GLBT characters until a certain age, no sex until a certain age, no kissing until a certain age. Charlotte called it "Brave New World-ish."
These generalizing assumptions about people based on their age could lead to societal disapproval (she bought her 7 year old a Nine!) to law (it is crime to allow children to read books above their age level. The Experts Know Best)....or children might have to start showing proof of age at the library....
Showing proof of age at the library when you are 8? *shudder* Would the librarian have made me prove that I was a certain age to take out Jane Austen's books? After all, when you boil it down they are all about sex and money. Lydia running off with Wickham in Pride and Prejudice? Scandalous and obviously not for an 11 year old. Ditto Willoughby's indiscretion in Sense and Sensibility. And do we really want to get started on the much beloved by preteen girls Brontes? Or worse yet that childhood favourite Judy Blume?
The protestors argue that if an adult (or child) is having difficulty finding a book they should go to an expert such as the school or public library librarian or a local bookseller. Sure, there are lots of stories about librarians not allowing people to read certain books - we've all heard them. Liz, a librarian who blogs at A Chair, A Fireplace, and a Tea Cozy, argues that a librarian's value doesn't come from their knowledge of what is appropriate for what age, but for matching the right reading level with the right book for the right reader.
But we also need to "shout out" ourselves, about our unique ability to be book matchmakers; more so than bookstores, in that we have old books and new books, popular books and niche books, and so have a bigger selection of books for people to read. We need to keep up with what books are out there -- by reading reviews, both professional and informal; by reading books that are readers guides. We -- not an age on a book -- are the best help to someone who is looking for the right book for a child. And we need to let more people know that.
Liz has a pretty good point there when you stop and think about it. As adults most of us here at BlogHer would be assumed to be at the same approximate reading level, but would we all want to read the same book? Unlikely. Some of us want Politics and News while others want Research and Academia. Some of us want a simple escapist read and others want to read something that crams as many five-syllable words in as possible. Some us will want to read Adult books and some of us will want to read Young Adult books. We should read what we like, not what is "at our level". We shouldn't assume all eight year olds are any different than we are. Some will like fantasy, others mysteries. Some will be into short chapter books, others in long chapter books, and still others in picture books.
ManiacMum, who edits children's books, sees the positives in it - it will no doubt make it easier for Grandma to buy little Johnny a book he might actually read. But she also sees how it can hurt readers and is, ultimately, against it.
I still edit children's books
