“I can always tell when you’re reading somewhere in the house,” my mother used to say. “There’s a special silence, a reading silence.”
― The Child That Books Built: A Life in Reading, Francis Spufford
How wonderful, if in homes and libraries across the world, 2024 became the year of increased “reading silence”. As Spufford says, it is indeed “special” when we know those around us are lost in a faraway world or making new friends as they turn the pages of a book. This is a different silence from the endless tense scrolling of images and reels. The “reading silence” requires, not just the eyes and brain, but a conscious immersion of the whole body.
So as our children and teens grow up and gain increasing independence, let’s keep pointing them to great literature – books with role models, adventure, action, friends to be made and lessons to be learnt. However, when they start reading books found in the 12+ section, many libraries and bookshops simply group books for 12-18 year olds together as ‘Young Adult’ or ‘Teen’. But we all know that many books that 18 years old read are not going to be appropriate for 12-year-olds. There is a gentle move to distinguish between books for 12-14 year-olds from 15-18 year-olds, but even so, you know your child.
Choose wisely and carefully. Beyond personal recommendations, your local library and online reviews, commonsensemedia.org can be a great help. Or have a browse below for some inspiration – a selection that my nearly 13-year-old son has enjoyed recently.
CLASSICALLY CURIOUS 