Stupid school rule?

[upsideup]

DC's school recently introuduced an hour of silent reading per week, dd absolutely loved this (DS doesn't but it has encouraged him to read more). Untill now they have been taking in a book from home, DD10 who spends hours reading for pleasure anyway takes in the book shes reading at home. I dont choose her books and I am also not strict about what she reads, was already aware that some of the books she enjoys were targeted at an age range slightly above hers.
We have had a letter home saying that dd's book this week was rated as 14+ so is not suitable to be read at school and I should send her in with a book suitable for her age so under 10's as teachers are not going to be closely monitoring what books the children are reading. That is ridiculous right?
She had not told us this all week as shes worried shes in trouble with the teacher but her book was taken off her and she was given a random book from the libary by the teacher which is not the sort of thing she likes and was too 'babyish' for her so she spent the whole lesson doing nothing.
To be clear the books she is reading are young teen fiction books, not gory or sexual true crime books, theres maybe mentions of kissing or mild swearing but nothing harmful or frightening for a 10 year old to hear, mine atleast and as its silent reading and not being read aloud surely its nobodies business what shes reading and it should be mine and her dads decision if its suitable or not for her, not the teachers?
We are going stuggle to find a book aimed at under 10s that she enjoys and I also have know idea how to find out what age rating a book has and surely its just a reccomendation to what age group may enjoy the book not a strict rule?
I can see the benefit of quietly reading at school and definately not one of the many parents who complained when the silent reading was introduced but what benefit is forcing her to read a book that she dosnt enjoy and is below her level? Shouldnt she be encouraged to challenge herself and have an enjoyment for reading not punished?

Do your schools do the same? AIBU to want to challenge this stupid rule?

Thehogfather
I cross posted with you, but you actually prove my point a bit. I still think children with the criticality and emotional depth of reading to 17 year old level are exceptionally rare though.

A child who would be a genuinely advanved reader would read a range and still be able tk see merit and enjoyment in texts for a range of ages, not just teen ones (probably because that's what's been praised as the marker of being good at reading).

MaisyPops

I dont know what an advanced reader is tbh and its not something I need her to be or I need to describe her as, I know dd enjoys reading for and I have always been told by her teachers she ahead in reading and is very confident with her ability. I dont enjoy reading, apart from reading with my DC I havnt read a book since I was a teenager, My DS8 also hates reading and if its not a comic hes not interested and the silent reading at schools has been benefitial for him. I was under the impression that the lesson was more for children like DS who struggle with reading and would never pick up a book voluntarily than it was for dd and it was even described as 'an opportunity for children to relax and wind down with a good book', I have always encouraged dd's enjoyment of reading and allowed her to read books of her choice, that isnt just teen fiction books though recently that is a new genre she has been introduced to and is enjoying. I dont think she can't read a book written for 10 and under, she has done but I think a blanket rule that exludes any books targeted at children over 10 for all the children is ridiculous and unfair and adds not benefit to the lesson thats supposed to be encouraging children to challenge their reading skills and enjoy reading.

I have no time for censorship of books. This would be seriously challenged if it was done to my child.

I am going to go and speak to dd's teacher on monday.

I don’t have much to input regarding the OP but I’m not sure why “Wuthering Heights” is being suggested as suitable in terms of content for 10 year olds compared with the book OP mentions I read it at 9 and remember finding it quite disturbing... I didn’t properly appreciate it until I was 13/14, and only just let DD read it (she’s 12).

MaisyPops, DC1 picked up reading very easily and enjoyed it, he missed out a few stages of the ORT reading scheme here and there as a result. DC2 who is three years younger than him didn't, she progressed steadily up the levels, which meant that she brought home books which he'd missed out on. He would borrow them off her to read them through as he enjoyed the stories, even though his reading level was way past them. He will still read an easy / younger book if it's a good story, and he's 14 now. :)

maisy I'm not suggesting she was formally assessed or anything, just thinking back to the discussions we had at home or with primary teachers and work given to her etc.

I agree re teen books possibly being viewed as a marker. Although I enjoyed many adult books as a child, I'll admit that the first time I read war and peace it was purely because common perception (incorrectly) tends to be that it's the hardest book ever to read. Tbf if I'd known what it was about I would have been interested for the setting, but I'd decided to read it before even reading the blurb. I had a vague idea it was set in ww2.

I'm often bemused by parents who can't see past their own child when declaring school rules to be stupid.

Typically I will agree with you, but the OP's daughter's choice of reading material really only affects her. If the OP is happy with her reading it, then I think it should be allowed.

I would challenge this as well, i devoured books at that age and my mum let me get whatever book I wanted from the library even if it was for adults, of course a lot of stuff went over my head but that didn’t matter.
I love books and so do my kids, I don’t censor what they read, none of them really enjoy the classics that I did at their age but their childhood is different than mine was and they don’t have the same frame of reference.
DD for example thought that Mallory towers was a pile of crap but I loved it when I was her age.
They prefer modern books where they can relate to the characters, or some fantasy stories like Philip Pullman.

My dd will also read and enjoy books below her reading level, she actually reads to her 3 and 4 year old siblings most nights but when reading quietly on her own she tends to enjoy slightly books with slightly more adult topics and advanced language/story lines
She was really looking forward to reading Animal farm next but going by the website it is rated at 13+ so is not going to be allowed in fact we got a lot of the books she was reading 2 or 3 years ago out from under the bed this morning that she said she wouldnt mind reading again and the vasy majority are actually rated 11/12+.
Its the rule of completely banning all books aimed at a child over 10 during an hour of silent reading intended to encourage enjoyment and progress in reading that we think is ridiculous and unfair.

I'd question whether a 10 year old will really understand Animal Farm. However, I bet if she took a Jane Austen book into school they wouldn't bat an eyelid, irrespective of what that website says.

It's really difficult. DD2 is 10 and unless a book takes her fancy, getting her to read is like pulling teeth. But, when she likes a book, or rather a series of books, she devours them. Obviously, we want her to read, so we try to get books that she will enjoy. She's quite fussy, though, and likes fantasy/action books and the diary of... type books.

She loved the Percy Jackson series. Diary of a Wimpy Kid and Dork Diaries were good but very quickly finished. The Gallagher Girls were a cool spy girl series, which she read the first 3 of - I'll get her the rest for her birthday.

She read the Hunger Games trilogy in January. Her teacher simply wrote "Did you enjoy reading this?" in her diary. DD2 said "Yes it was really good" - she doesn't give much away .

She's reading the Alex Rider series now. I think it's 'ok' by her standards, but she's still missing the Hunger Games trilogy. She actually sobbed on my shoulder when she finished the last book.

I'm with you OP! Do they stop/police kids carrying books in their school bags? I cant see what the harm is!

(Not picking on this poster but to make a point)

I would definitely recommend the Narnia books, the Little House on the Prairie books, the Anne of Green Gables series, Noel Streatfield’s books, Elizabeth Goudge’s children’s books, The Secret Garden etc.
DD had read every one of these (& LHotP almost on a loop!) before she turned 9

I've seen some well read KS3 students who have been phenomenal readers, but they weren't fixated on being an 'advanced reader', nor did they exclusively read mature teen topic books. What they had was breadth of readinf experiences.

@MaisyPops It's pretty clear from the lists the OP has posted that her DD has plenty of breadth of reading experience.

Op you’re entirely missing the point that the teacher only went to search on a website and advised you because your child was sent with a book that was obviously inappropriate for her age. A book in the 9-12 range may well have gone unchallenged and if she is indeed an able reader she will surely be bringing those kinds of books home from the school library already? Or is she bringing books aimed at under 10’s? That would suggest she isn’t that able a reader.
The fact that she failed to tell you that she wasn’t allowed to take the teen fiction in and flouted the rules resulting in her having nothing to read says more about her maturity level than her love of the teen fiction genre imo.
I’m not sure why you’re so keen that your child read teen fiction aged ten that you won’t even tolerate an hour without it? Surely stuff about attraction and relationships which make up the bulk of this genre makes little sense to her. You might as well send her in with some Karl Marx!

The point you're missing OP is this:
the teachers can't closely monitor the books

You're not special and they don't trust your judgement more than any other parent.

Surely stuff about attraction and relationships which make up the bulk of this genre makes little sense to her.

I don't understand why it wouldn't. I found one particular lad that age very attractive, just wanted to "snog" (as was the term then) him so bad! He was my boyfriend for a while, we went to the school dance together. Honestly thought I "loved" him. Many other girls in my class were doing the same. First kisses etc

Bold fail

I guess it depends how detailed it is

I should get decide what my daughter can and connot read and whether it is suitable for her not for every other child is the class Of course, at home

And your dd's teacher should be able to decide what she reads at school, in her classroom.

It's an hour. Out of 30. Unfortunately we can't change all the rules we don't like.

differentname
Agreed. That is my thought exactly. There are things, which annoy me about dds School and we aren’t educating our children. The school is. Therefore we have to take the rough with the smooth.

The reading thing is only an hour out of the school week. I was an avid reader as a child and far beyond my reading age but at 9, I didn’t get taken to the library to borrow books nor bought books regularly so I had to be content with the books I already had and wait for my birthday to get new ones. I reread my favourites over and over. It was a shame for me but no real drama.

Op you should be encouraging your dd to reread faves or read some of the age appropriate books suggested. It isn’t doing her any favours to do otherwise because you cannot fight this unless you take her out of school and home school.

Who remembers point horror books? I loves these when I was a kid. This thread has reminded me and now i feel old 😭😭

upsideup
As I have said, it is worth speaking to the teacher (generally 9-12 seems to be the most common category age banding when I've been looking at ordering books for school. By exact age isn't common), but not worth doing it if your take is 'it's a stupid rule and i decide what my child reads'.
There are books designed to be aimed at middle year ages which are more advanced in terms of vocabulary, plot, grammar etc.

If the discussion is 'hi teacher, can we come to an arrangement for suitably challening books which are appropriate for school. Can you help me find some/suggest some DC might like?' then it's reasonable and school would probably see that the middle ages category makes sense.

If it's 'but they are advanced and want to be reading books aimed at y9/10 students, this rule is stupid and punishes her for being able reader. I'm a parent and i decide' then it's totally unreasonable (and essentially what staff hear day in day out when people think rules don't apply).

Sad how the sour grapes and claws come up any time a child is mentioned as being even passably bright
Being bright doesn't make it acceptable to have material for y9/10 students in a primary classroom, nor does it give some pass to bring what you like in.
A competent and avid reader does not have to read one particular type of book which isn't just borderline on school rules, but way past it. (I do wonder whether they may have been like another poster who said they didn't have guidelines but then some kids were coming in with all sorts so now they do).

There's a while range of options in this situation which don't involve having a 10 year old reading about abuse and suicide in y5/6 at school. Pointing this out is not sour grapes or claws

I was a prolific reader at 10 as I had nothing else to do but I suspect my choice of books wouldn't be your daughters...
The entire Anne of Green Gables series
When Hitler stole pink rabbit
Goodnight Mr Tom
Silver Sword
A book by Michelle Magorian called Back Home? Or something like that...about an American girl.
All the Judy Blume books which looking at them from an adult perspective are probably unsuitable as well.

Yanbu! If Dd is happy reading at that level and you are happy she should be allowed to read what she wants. I think I was around 10/11 when I started reading my parents books from the bookcase - David Eddings and Danielle Steele! If she’s reading to herself I really don’t see the problem.

Books for under 10’s are tricky if she’s reading at a high level. A lot of the ones pp’s have recommended like Anthony Horowitz etc would be found in the 11up section of the library. I would write a letter to the teacher saying you are are aware of and happy with what she’s reading.

Has she read the Cressida Cowell How to train your Dragon series?
I’m sure there are others but I can’t think of them right now. May I suggest if he letter doesn’t work that you pop into your local library and ask them - I’m sure they could come up with some good suggestions.