Who do I write my books for (or, more correctly, for whom do I write)? The obvious answer is ‘children’ but, of course, not all children have the desire nor capability to read all books. They have to read something specific to their interests, reading ability and, to a certain extent, age.
Scream Street is pitched at 7 to 9 year olds, but I know of a few 6 year olds who will love the series, and one or two 11 and 12 year olds who’d get a kick out of the stories. But, would they read the books if they had a prominent ‘For 7 to 9 year olds’ stamp on the cover? I doubt it. The 6 year old would think the books too advanced, and fear of ridicule from their friends will put older readers off – a particular problem in the case of boys. In short, adding an age band to my books – to ANY children’s books – will limit who reads them.
Should we be, IN ANY WAY, limiting who reads books? Of course not – which is why I’m adding my support to the No To Age Banding campaign, and I urge you to do the same. Very few writers have been consulted in the run up to the Age Banding proposition – and yet it is our work that will be branded from this autumn.
Top authors including Philip Pullman, Terry Pratchett, Eoin Colfer, Darren Shan, Francesca Simon, Jacqueline Wilson, and the children’s laureate, Michael Rosen, have all spoken out against age banding. It’s time for me to add my voice to the list.
For more information on the authors’ stand against age banding, please read this article: http://www.thebookseller.com/news/60039-age-guidance-prompts-author-rebellion.html
Tommy
