Reading "The Classics" at aged 10.

[ToomanyChristmasPresents]

Is this normal? Expected?

I have a DD in yr6 who is an able and avid reader. Her teacher keeps pushing her to read the Classics. In fact, he urges the whole class to do so. I am very surprised. I would have thought books like "To Kill a Mockingbird," "Treasure Island," etc. Could wait until she was a little older and probably be read as a whole class with support and discussion along the way.

Basically, I thought my child's teacher was just a little gung-ho, and I chose not to push my DD but to support whatever she wanted to read. Better "The Hunger Games," than "Anne of Green Gables," if the former is read in 3 days and the latter takes a fortnight. Basically, in our house it's the difference between voracious reading and almost not reading at all.

Then, chatting to another mum and friend who's DS is in yr6 at a Catholic primary just half a mile down the road and she brings up the fact that her DS is being pushed to read the classics and she cannot understand why. He's very happy to read Alex Rider novels and at this age she would just assume let him for all the same reason I outlined earlier.

I have to admit, I like the classics, but I read them in my teens with support and then on my own in adulthood. I am amazed at this push to get 10 year olds reading classics on their own. Am I just a molly-codler?

I think it is more important for children to read things they're interested in. I remember a librarian recommending Emma to me when I was at primary school (I think I looked older because I was tall for my age). I struggled through a fair bit of it but remembered thinking it was very boring and all about people wanting to get married - at that age I wasn't remotely interested in love, and wanted to read about adventures and magic (lots of Diana Wynne Jones). I gave up in alarm when Mr Elton began "making love" to Emma in the back of a carriage - I thought it meant having sex and I was a bit shocked that people would do this in carriages.

Just as a hint, my higher ability Year 5 reading group really enjoyed "The 39 Steps". Lots to get your teeth into.

My other girly reading group at lunchtimes ( for fun!) really liked "The Box of delights" and "The Dark is rising".