For many teenagers, reading loses its appeal. There are so many other forms of entertainment, especially media that attracts the visual senses. Video and computer games head the list, while DVD's bring the movie experience into the home.
The front lines in this battle is the libraries, both public and school, while the warriors are the librarians, especially those who specialize in books for young adults. The struggle is intense, but can be very rewarding, but every reader should take the time to support their local libraries. That goes for authors too, because libraries train people to appreciate the power of books.
During elementary school, children's reading habits are heavily mandated and advanced reading is rewarded and touted. Both of my dragon books are welcomed by the nearby school media center, and teachers read them aloud in certain classrooms, while I am invited to speak to 4th and 5th Graders about reading and writing.
Once they reach middle school (or junior high school), things start to drop off a bit. There's a lot of homework and reading becomes less for pleasure and more for research and projects. By the time teens reach high school, reading a novel takes a back seat to homework, dating, football games, Xbox, going to the movies, and the list goes on and on.
Yet the librarian keeps looking for creative and innovative ways to reinforce how wonderful the imagination can be and that many movies come from books, as do video games. My son often prefers his own imagination, to having the images and voices defined up on the big screen.
Sure, I think the dragon books would make great movies and pretty entertaining video games, not to mention cool action figures and a graphic novel would work too. Yet I want people to envision their own Thaddeus Osbert, or how Gavin, Bunty, and Emily look and speak, within the descriptions I provide. Actually seeing the North Cornish Coast in a movie might spoil their imagining it for themselves.
So, the next time you go to a library (By the way, when was the last time you went to the library?), you might want to take a look around. Lots of space is set aside for computers now. There are DVD's, CD's, and all sorts of media to check out. Wander into the children's section and there are still lots of books. Yet the teen or young adult section might not even exist. If your library has a young adult librarian, you should give him or her a hug. A big hug. Thank them for their efforts, because it's not any easy fight.
If you still love to read, how did that happen? What was the catalyst and why does it still work for you? I write, but I love to read. I love movies too. And video games. And action figures. I take it all in balance.
This is a call to support your libraries, to fundamentally instill in young people the wonder of reading. It's not going to be easy, but it is necessary. Yes, the publishing world is changing very rapidly and books right along with it. Reading, however, better never die, for with it will go all great learning and thinking. The civilization will die.
So, here's a tip of the hat to every librarian in the world. Keep at it. Never give up. For each person you help steer towards reading a book, is like saving a mind and a soul.
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librarian, teenagers, dragon, elementary school, library, young adult,
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