The Rights of the Reader

There's a wonderful book called The Rights of the Reader by celebrated French writer Daniel Pennac. The book sold over a million copies in France, and grew out of Pennac's experiences of teaching in "challenging" schools. Central to the book is his belief that readers have rights: to read what, how, where and when they want, and – if they choose – the right NOT to read. It has been introduced by Quentin Blake who has also done its gorgeous and witty illustrations. There is also a poster available which illustrates The Reader's Bill of Rights, listed here:

1. The right to not read

2. The right to skip pages

3. The right to not finish

4. The right to reread

5. The right to read anything

6. The right to escapism

7. The right to read anywhere

8. The right to browse

9. The right to read out loud

10. The right to not defend your tastes.

Read the book, and then please do go back to Give a Book.

Thank you

Thanks to our generous supporters we were able to give books this month to some new recipients:  one, a mother and baby refuge where the books ranged from first reading books for children under two to a set of Roald Dahl classics and text books for older children told us that  "The children are over the moon."
There was also much excitement in the Springboard Room  at Harris Academy in Peckham-- the first secondary school that Springboard has worked in-- when their new books arrived from Give a Book. The children are really enjoying them, especially First Greek Myths and the Quentin Blake Collection. So a big thank you to all those who share our belief that to give a book is a transaction of value and enable us to do just that.
Now go back to Give a Book.