The Rights of the Reader

(Comme un roman - Folio Gallimard)
author: Daniel Pennac

French bookworms will know Pennac - he is an institution in France, and yet his books have not been readily available in the UK. Thanks to translator Sarah Adams, this is at last being rectified with the translation of some of his children's titles (Eye of the Wolf and Dog for instance both published by Walker Books) and The Rights of the Reader (beautifully illustrated by the fantastic Quentin Blake).

Comme un roman, as it is known in France, has sold over a million copies there.  Pennac drew from his experience as a  teacher in challenging secondary schools in France to write this fascinating book on children's rights when it comes to reading: the right to read what you want, the right to read when you want, and sometimes even, the right not to read at all (you can have a closer look at the 10 rights of the readers here).  Pennac's argument is that reading has been turned into a chore by many including parents and teachers, and this is what is making a lot of children give up on books.

It really is a fascinating, thought-provoking read.
In my opinion, any parent who is serious about helping their children to become life-long readers should read it.