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EmmaRiddle · 07-03-2008, 11:34 AM

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.

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“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.

Quote:

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.

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“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.”

Ozzy · 07-04-2008, 03:21 AM

I’m glad to see that this is being challenged, especially if it’s one of those “if you aren’t this old, you can’t buy this. Period” type of thing, because that’s just wrong. If I had been forced to read children’s and teen's books when I was younger, I’d be worse off on the literary game than I am now because they're oftentimes dumbed down, corny or off the mark. Which was why at ten, I decided to try out some of the more "mature" books like Anne Rice and other 12th grade and college level books and they helped me more than hindered me. So I can understand how damning it would be for others like me if this thing were to pass.

In any case, I’m of the opinion that society should be worrying much more about what young people are able to watch on TV and listen to rather than what they’re reading. At least with books they’re made to think and are learning something.

*Goes to sign up*

HARRY LOVER#1 =) · 07-04-2008, 04:14 AM

Honestly, where do people come up with such stupidities? I think that people should be able to read whatever they chose to read! Reading should have no restrictions, and putting bounds on this kind of thing is just ridiculous!
Personally sometimes I read stuff that is supposed to be for adults because I get tired of the airhead crap they put into the "teenage" books, and it would get me really angry if they dont allow me to do this!

SnfflesLuvr · 07-04-2008, 05:36 AM

I completely agree with Jo and the other authors against it. Age branding wouldn't accomplish anything, except holding some people back from reading. It's just a bad idea. Period.

half_blood_prince · 07-04-2008, 07:13 AM

there is no point on doing that we're just read what we want

Dobby's_Dad · 07-04-2008, 10:19 AM

Not got time to have a good 'ole rant but this an absolute disgrace!

One of the most stupid things i've heard in a while!

h/g ship lover · 07-04-2008, 01:43 PM

That is just so ridiculous, they can't do that...it's silly and stupid. It's great that Jo is against it.

Mrs Felton · 07-04-2008, 03:41 PM

Totally agree with Jo, it's a stupid idea.

Patronus Charm · 07-04-2008, 07:19 PM

age branding is pure idiocy

fabula puella · 07-05-2008, 08:30 AM

sooo true,
im glad jo and jacqueline wilson(my 2 all time favourite authors) signed it.
i wouldnt be able to read most of the books i read now because i'm not old enough

evanna11 · 07-05-2008, 04:49 PM

I agree whith wath almost all people here say, and there isn't much left to be sayed by me, so many people already have said the things I wanted to say..
That would be SO silly and ruin the cover (if there would be something on the cover..).
Go Jo! (ANd everyone else who signed the petiton)

LuceyLuclaire · 07-05-2008, 07:09 PM

Are you kidding me?
That's total rubbish.
People should be able to read any book they want.
You can't with-hold a book because you think they are too young to read it.
That's messed up and mocking their intelligence and maturity.
I was reading books as thick as Harry Potter when I was only 7.
So I back Jo on this.

Mari of the Ocean · 07-07-2008, 01:21 AM

age banding would only make it more difficult to seel books. In an era in which people are lazy about reading, and appearences matter way too much, banding would only creat another excuse not read.