Literacy Programs and the Indie Author

[frogi]

My daughter saved up and bought an ereader. That is great because she was an apathetic reader at best and now that reading is merged with a tech gadget, it has given her a passion to read.

I've started to recommend stories I think she would enjoy. But, since her school uses the Accelerated Reader Program, she needs to focus on books that allow her to meet her reading goals. I've noticed that indie writers aren't well represented.

Of course, in 7 years she can read anything she wants. Until then, it feels that her reading choices are almost censored. Also, any system that penalizes will IMHO cause many to dislike reading.

Am I being "chicken little" here, or do others feel this method is flawed?

[xg4bx]

i don't know about the accelerated reader program so all i can do is speak from my own experience. thank god i already had an interest in reading going into school because if my only real exposure to books was what i was forced to read, i would have quickly joined the 'haven't read a book since high school' club.

there's really no way around a school program, i'd simply do everything in my power to ensure that the school curriculum doesn't put a damper on her reading enjoyment outside of what's necessary for school. i think schools could definitely do more to foster exploration which is why i dislike things like 'summer reading lists'.

[frogi]

A quick summary of AR: students have a set numeric goal, each book (in the program) has a point value. Student takes a quiz on the book and is awarded points in ratio to their success on the quiz.

I am working to find books I think she would enjoy. I truly believe that reading unlocks the intellect and imagination lying dormant in a person's mind. It just adds a frustrating layer of complexity to the matter for me to check potential books against this list to see if she will get credit for reading it.

And back to the title of the thread, I think this works against a lot of indie authors. I like a good story, and it seems that she also does. eBooks have opened up avenues for good stories to be available without "passing the grade" of publishers. Given the choice between a good story or literary purity, I will pick the good story.

[mr ploppy]

Originally Posted by frogi

I am working to find books I think she would enjoy. I truly believe that reading unlocks the intellect and imagination lying dormant in a person's mind. It just adds a frustrating layer of complexity to the matter for me to check potential books against this list to see if she will get credit for reading it.

I think turning reading into "work" is where the schools go wrong. When I was at school they used to confiscate books we wanted to read and force us to read boring books instead. Now that education has turned into a box-ticking exercise I would guess it's even worse now.

[xg4bx]

Originally Posted by mr ploppy

I think turning reading into "work" is where the schools go wrong. When I was at school they used to confiscate books we wanted to read and force us to read boring books instead. Now that education has turned into a box-ticking exercise I would guess it's even worse now.

as a 12,13 year old boy i wanted to read dragonlance and forgotten realms, not barbara kingsolver. pigs in heaven really didn't appeal to me. it still doesn't.

[teh603]

Wait, you enrolled your kid in a school-approved reading program, and you're upset that the reading list is censored? The fact that its school-approved should tell you everything about it.

Besides, if reading isn't hard work then where will schools get athletes to keep their trophy cases full?

[frogi]

Originally Posted by teh603

Wait, you enrolled your kid in a school-approved reading program, and you're upset that the reading list is censored? The fact that its school-approved should tell you everything about it.

Actually, I enrolled my children in a public school. Since I don't have enough disposable income for private schools, this was a basic necessity. Maybe the options are a little less limited in your area

[Penforhire]

Sounds like a neat system. I don't recall anything like that after the lower grades (where we had a color coded story snippet and quiz system). I don't figure something that broad is going to be easier to administer with indie writers. Don't schools get a massive discount from certain publishing houses?

[teh603]

Originally Posted by frogi

Actually, I enrolled my children in a public school. Since I don't have enough disposable income for private schools, this was a basic necessity. Maybe the options are a little less limited in your area

Honestly, I didn't like reading because of the variety from a private school- there was actually less variety and less access to programs I would've killed to be able to get into. I developed a love of reading because the other kids were mean and immature, and it was easier to curl up on the bed with some D&D stuff than to have to chase baseballs all afternoon and evening.