Increased Difficulty
I read an article recently that lifted my spirits. Kids read 25% more books last year compared to the previous year. 27 million books read during the academic year in 2021-2022. That's a lot of books and doesn't appear to include books read outside of the school year. Good news to be pleased about. Not a story about drone strikes, civil war or stolen bathrobes. Nothing to make one despair at the collective stupidity of humanity. Just kids reading for pleasure.
What's not to like? Well, David Walliams is one of the most popular authors, but that's beside the point. Kids are reading and that can only be a good thing.
As I scanned further down the article my heart sank. The worry, according to this survey, was that kids weren't reading books of 'increased difficulty'. So this wasn't a good news article after all. It was a bait and switch. A guilt trip on readers for not reading the right sort of books. Anyone who's familiar with comics will have encountered the accusation that comics aren't 'proper' reading.
The survey was conducted by 'learning and assessment provider Renaissance.' A quick look at their site reveals a company offering 'interconnected solutions' and 'accurate, actionable data.' Purely coincidence that a private company has identified a problem they claim to have a solution for. Oh well, it's outside the remit of this obscure newsletter to bemoan the Ofsted-ification of education in the UK.
I've seen teachers work incredibly hard to make a difference to their pupil's lives, despite testing Primary school kids on grammar I didn't understand. Relative pronouns, modal verbs and co-ordinating conjunctions: the stuff dreams are made of! Who could fail to be inspired by the wonders of the English language. Who wouldn't walk away from Key Stage 2 SATs without a love of words after that? Admittedly, my daughter knows how to use a semi-colon and I haven't a clue.
Renaissance also offer 'Accelerated Reader' a 'powerful tool for monitoring and managing independent reading practice, motivating your students to read for pleasure.' I know absolutely nothing about it, but it sounds quite sinister. A tad Orwellian. How does one motivate a kid to read for pleasure? Proprietary software? Gentle encouragement? A head cage full of rats?
To belabour the obvious point, readers enjoy reading for pleasure, regardless of age. As an adult I am not motived to read a book because of it's increased 'difficulty'. I suspect there are few adults who would appreciate being told to put down that Lee Child crap and pick up Finnegans Wake instead. No one wants to be told what they should be reading, rather than what they are reading. Why do we treat younger readers any differently?
This seems clear to me, but I am far far away from the Sauron-like gaze of the Educational-industrial complex. As an adult I can read without scrutiny or judgement, without the anxiety of it being another test to pass or fail. Bonk-buster, page-turner, pulp or literature.
You don't encourage readers, reluctant or eager, by putting books on a ladder. 'Easy' books on the bottom rung (still above comics, I imagine). 'Difficult' books at the top. You don't encourage kids to read by having their reading matter judged at every stage of their young lives.
How best to promote reading? Punting money to the likes of Renaissance? Maybe. Their testimonials declare they are a useful resource. Or invest in a school library? Somewhere kids can access books they enjoy reading without (shiver) monitoring or managing.
Reading should be freedom. Freedom to choose for ourselves.
Reading should be freedom. Freedom to spend money on my books! Yes, there's only so much altruism I can cram into one newsletter. Eventually I am forced to address the tawdry business of paying the bills.
Distressed Beeping is a collection of my colour one page strips from Patreon. A handsome A5 hardback available from me and from Page 45. 108 pages, 120gsm uncoated paper. Matt laminated cover.
I now have a bunch of my books on Kindle. Dumped, Breakfast After Noon, The City Never Sleeps (short story sampler), Super Hero Pink (previously Gum Girl...it's a long story), Glister and Princess Decomposia.
I have DRM-free PDF versions of more of my backlist on Ko-fi and Gumroad.
And let's not forget I have a new book coming out in November: Punycorn! 'Praised as an "hilarious, whimsical epic adventure", a big-hearted diminutive unicorn and his friends battle to save their kingdom from a powerful (if bratty) ogre in this fast-paced and funny fantasy graphic novel.'
I have a patreon which I update regularly. Tuesdays and Saturdays I post process and behind the scenes stuff such as Punycorn colour pages. Thursdays I post a one page comic story.
I still have books out in the world: Sunburn, Paris, Kerry and the Knight of the Forest & the awards nominated The Book Tour. Support my efforts through my store – digital comics – patreon or by leaving a positive review online.