J.K. Rowling opposes age banding on books

[EmmaRiddle]

J.K. Rowling has opposed proposals to introduce age banding on books, similar to that of films and video games. The plans are set to be in force by the autumn, but many authors have spoken out against the idea.

“I am absolutely delighted that JK Rowling has added her support to the campaign,” said the novelist Anne Fine. “But I’m not surprised, because we all know that the reading age for her novels is extremely wide.”

The campaign was set up by Phillip Pullman who set up the website No to age banding which has so far garnered more than 2,500 signatures in support. Jo signed the petition yesterday. Other names on there include; Anthony Horowitz, Terry Pratchett and Alan Garner, Quentin Blake, Anne Fine, Jacqueline Wilson and Michael Rosen.

The petition argues that imposing an age-guidance figure on children’s books is “ill- conceived, damaging to the interests of young readers and highly unlikely to make the slightest difference to sales.”

The petition’s supporters also contend that printing age ranges on books would threaten literacy levels. Reluctant readers or those with dyslexia, for example, might easily be embarrassed if caught with books clearly labelled as being aimed at much younger readers.

Ten publishers, including Bloomsbury (the British publishers of Harry Potter) and Walker Books have supported the authors opposition whilst Random House, Scholastic (the U.S. publishers of Harry Potter) and Egmont have expressed their support for the proposals. The rest of the industry - including Puffin, Orion and Macmillan - have supported the plans based on author-approved age banding.

“Would those queues for Harry Potter have been so long if the books had had a ‘Teens’ sticker?” award-winning Edinburgh-based writer Keith Gray asks. “Younger readers wouldn’t have bothered with it and neither would most of the grown-ups.

“The whole age-banding thing is a nonsense, and I’m very pleased JK Rowling is supporting the campaign against it.”

[expectopatronum 99]

Good on Jo, couldn't agree more - within reason most books don't need to be rated. How many people would have missed out on HP if it was rated as a "children's" book. I'm glad I wasn't put off by any preconceived idea's about Harry Potter

[AndromedaBlack]

I don't agree with this whole thing, to be honest. To me, age branding on books is just another way of splitting society. I know it sounds like a very strong view, but that's just my opinion.

If the books are really too old for someone, say, pre teens...authors have the choice to say 'Not suitable for younger readers' on the back cover or somewhere.

I like to read books that I would say are too old for me. But if this is what they want to do then I won't stop them. But I don't like it.

I assume that from what I've read in the article, Jo agrees with me. But her books ARE for all ages. People are always telling me that Harry Potter is for kids, but almost every adult I know has at least tried to read them. My thirty six year old sister has read them. So I suppose in that case, an age brand on a book like that is just ridiculous.

First post.

[LisaPotter1125]

First of all, I have 2 daughters who are avid readers. My oldest has been reading since age 4. It is MY responsibility to know what my child is reading and to decide if something is inappropriate for her "age level". Unfortunately, very few parents actually take the time to monitor what their kids are watching, let alone what they are reading. But what are they afraid of here? That the children will be improperly influenced by the characters? That they might have nightmares? Who is supposed to decide what constitutes a 'Teen' rating in the first place? As far as I'm concern, there is not one thing, in any HP book that I would want to guard my kids against. I started reading HP to my youngest when she turned 4, and she's already learned some valuable lessons from these stories. Lessons about honor and loyalty and standing up for what you believe in. Most parents who haven't read HP would see a Teen rating and keep their children away. They wouldn't know what they were missing out on and that would be sad. I think that the age-banning is the real 'bad influence' here.

[RedheadQueen]

I agree that this could end up discouraging and in turn handicapping some readers. Good for Jo and the other authors!

[summersun25]

I compleatly agree. I know growing up as a Dyslexic was hard enough doing things in school but if you have to do book reports can you only imagaine the teasing and ridicule that the kids are going to be put through if their class mates see them reading a book for a 6-8 year old at 10-12? What are these people wanting to do just make the people who do have problems sink farther back and behind?

Sorry for the rant this makes me very mad.

[Antarctica!]

I have a question about this: Would these age stickers be binding, no pun intended? That is, if someone wanted to buy a book they were too young for (according to the sticker), would they be unable to get it?
Or is this more of a recommendation sort of thing?

[Mrs_Molly_Weasley]

That is nonsense! I support JKR's decision and hope that all in good time this will have been fixed

[Alohomora]

I think putting age bands on books is one of the stupidest things I've ever heard of. I know many adults that read and enjoy 'children' books, and I read and enjoy adult books. There is no point, and even if it does happen, it won't affect what books I read.

[Steelsheen]

i'm sorry, this is just stupid and a complete waste of ink, time and effort for everybody. they already have recommended reading lists and areas for certain age groups and interests, they dont have to slap it on the cover and the binding.

[HarryHermione]

I definitely do not agree with an age ban. I began to read when I was very young - and I've always been reading books much more advanced than many kids my age. An age limit doesn't allow for literacy progression, nor does it allow readers that are advanced to read books at their level.

It's like "No Child Left Behind"
...for books.

[iheartdan]

I dont like this idea, and I'm glad J.K. rowling's against it.

Personally, I read on a higher level than a lot of people my age. I don't think I would be very comfortable reading books that said 'Adult Level' or something along that lines when my friends are reading 'teen' or something like that.

I've also gotten into a book series that might be concidered for someone younger than me, and I like the books a lot. I wouldnt like it if it had 'childrens' somewhere on the cover or something like that either.

Originally Posted by LisaPotter1125

It is MY responsibility to know what my child is reading and to decide if something is inappropriate for her "age level".

I agree with that. I think parents should be the ones deciding if the age level is okay for their children...

I think I'm done ranting. Go Jo! haha

[Ms Wood]

Good on all these authors, i loved anne fine as a child , and was greatly influenced by 'floor babies'.

I think it should be upto the author if she/he feels an age restriction is necessary.

Meddling fools.......

[HPobsession33]

Originally Posted by LisaPotter1125

First of all, I have 2 daughters who are avid readers. My oldest has been reading since age 4. It is MY responsibility to know what my child is reading and to decide if something is inappropriate for her "age level". Unfortunately, very few parents actually take the time to monitor what their kids are watching, let alone what they are reading. But what are they afraid of here? That the children will be improperly influenced by the characters? That they might have nightmares? Who is supposed to decide what constitutes a 'Teen' rating in the first place? As far as I'm concern, there is not one thing, in any HP book that I would want to guard my kids against. I started reading HP to my youngest when she turned 4, and she's already learned some valuable lessons from these stories. Lessons about honor and loyalty and standing up for what you believe in. Most parents who haven't read HP would see a Teen rating and keep their children away. They wouldn't know what they were missing out on and that would be sad. I think that the age-banning is the real 'bad influence' here.

I 100% agree with you. It's the parents job, not some random person. iF HP had a teen rating on it when I started to read it, who know ifI ever would have started to read, cause my mom wouldn't have let a 8 year old read a teen book....

[SenoritaMaxie]

I agree with Jo. You can't restrict books to certain ages! It all depends on a person's maturity level, not on his or her age.

[Egyptian_Blue]

Go Jo! I completely agree. I have a nasty tendancy to avoid the "Teen Books," because I tend not to like them, but who knows what I'm missing? If the books are labeled, it will just be worse for me. When you aren't sure what is in the book, look up a review or ask a friend who's read it. Besides, everyone's at different reading levels, and I don't think many would actually pay attention to the "guidlines."

[EmmaRiddle]

Originally Posted by Antarctica!

I have a question about this: Would these age stickers be binding, no pun intended? That is, if someone wanted to buy a book they were too young for (according to the sticker), would they be unable to get it?
Or is this more of a recommendation sort of thing?

The proposals don't appear to be very well-thought out, or detailed. I don't really know the answer to that, sorry.

[OceanBaBY]

What? No way, they can't put an age limit on HP books! Good Job, JO! Thanks for signing the petition!

[Tomasina Riddle]

I think this is really stupid and I can't believe they are thinking of doing this. I do agree that it won't affect book sales because people under 17 still go to rated R movies, and still by explicit CDs.

I find it funny that this is all being done to protect our children yet they can turn on prime time television and see Hannah Montana naked on ET. Or they can see Jamie Lynne Spears another Disney star who happens to be 16 giving birth! Or they can see the racy sexual charged shows like the OC or Gossip Girl.

But oh heaven forbid our children should turn off the tv and pick up a Ann Rice book and read about a vampire in the 17 th century. Or oh my God read a Harry Potter book and learn more Latin than the Pope knows!

All the flipping problems going on in this world with the food crisis and gas prices and the genocide in Darfur our law makers are worried about warning labels on books!!!!!!!

[laura-tonks]

Good for Jo! This is a seriously stupid idea-they're not DVDs for goodness sake!

[accio.brain]

I'm glad that Jo is doing this. It makes no sense to put an age banding on books when there are other things that should have more concern than books.

[Padie]

I'm glad she's supporting the cause. Putting an age banding on books is absolutely silly. If there are already people who won't buy certain books because they're in the children section, then it'll be even harder for one to read certain books if they have an age banding.

[Serena]

I'm happy to hear that. Age banding on books is ridiculous!

[James Carter]

Woot! GO JO!!!

I went to the website and I signed the petition!!! *squee*
This is very exciting. I really hope they don't put an age ban on books.

[Night_Owl]

that sucks im with jo