Paint With Words

We’re all familiar with the contraversy that Harry Potter has caused over the years. Personally, because of it, I don’t really have any interest in the series. So naturally, working in a bookstore, I discussed as much with several customers. Never critisized them for liking the series, or whatever, but I would be critical of its popularity. Almost any person I talked to, who liked the series, always had the same response:

“Well at least they’re reading!”

 They of course being children who have never picked up a book in their life, nor will they ever again because it’s not “cool”.

I’m sorry, but that’s some of the weakest logic I’ve ever heard. It’s like going to Africa, visiting a child whose mom died of AIDS, they don’t know their dad, they’re half starved, and their 2 year older sibling who’s HIV positive is watching them, so then you hand them a candy bar and say, “Well at least they’re eating!” I think most people would agree with me and say that’s pretty weak.

Just because a kid finally picks up a book and reads doesn’t automatically mean it will do them any good. There are just as many books out there–ESPECIALLY for kids–that are full of junk, and probably put more bad ideas in kids’ heads than good ideas. And you’re going to say “At least they’re reading”?

Most parents would have a huge problem if someone said that about their child who was eating mostly junk food. Sure, they’re well fed, but is the food quality any good? Of course not. So the parents will try to adjust their child’s diet and get them eating well.

It’s the same with books. Sure, the kids are reading, but are they reading anything of quality? Not to say Harry Potter is or isn’t of any quality, but there are so many trendy series out there that aren’t: The Clique series, The Gossip Girl series, and PLENTY of young adult series that deal more with black magic, occult, withcraft, and sorcery than Harry Potter ever did. I mean, is it a good thing to let kids read about satanism and vanity? I think most people discourage that sort of thing.

So I’ve never liked the phrase, “At least they’re reading,” at all. That logic is allowing people to let kids read things that fill their mind with trash, and that only continues to produce trash in actions. I’m not one of those hardcore crazies that entirely blames the media for all the problems for kids, but I will say if we continue to support children reading things that have nothing positive, and use the banner “At least they’re reading” as a justification, then kids will keep absorbing junk. And if that’s all they absorb, then there’s not a lot of good that can come out of what they read.

Encourage kids to pick up books that make them think. Sure, they should be age/ability appropriate, but seriously, take a look at what they’re reading. Encourage them to look at something that may not be so trendy, but has a good point. Or even if they want to be cool,,

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