The What Kids Are Reading report, published last week, is an interesting study of the book-reading behaviours of pupils in British and Irish schools. But its list of “most popular books in secondary schools” caught my eye because it was bursting with books by David Walliams and Jeff Kinney (Diary of a Wimpy Kid). Out of the top 10 titles, all were penned by these two authors - except the excellent Wonder by RJ Palacio.
I found the list deeply depressing, to say the least. I could almost tolerate Walliams and Kinney as top popular reads for primary children - but for secondary? These books are for children aged 8-12 and are entirely inappropriate in terms of challenge or content.
Not to mention diversity. It’s an unbalanced, impoverished list however you choose to look at it. Several people on Twitter called me a book snob - how dare I judge children’s book choices?
Background: Pupils’ favourite books revealed
Quick read: 64 books to inspire reluctant readers
Diversity: How inclusive is your school library?
Some teachers defended the list, convinced that reading something is better than reading nothing. Except that the choice here isn’t David Walliams or nothing - it’s David Walliams or *insert any other (preferably better) author of your choice here*.
As a teacher, I see it as part of my remit to widen reading horizons, build stamina for reading longer, more sophisticated books, and to help children discover new favourites and genres. Popular authors and “easy” books are a legitimate part of any bookshelf or library - but they are also gateway texts from which young people should graduate on to more varied, complex literature with high-quality writing, different settings, perspectives and ideas.
We won’t feel the benefits of reading for pleasure, such as improved vocabulary and attainment, if children’s reading choices don’t mature and grow with them. There are so many wonderful books out there, and we are the gatekeepers. We need to guide, encourage - and challenge - our young people to get them reading beyond the comfort of their own back garden.
Anne Glennie is a literacy consultant, children’s publisher and self-described book snob. She is based on the Isle of Lewis, in Scotland, and tweets @anneglennie
