Reluctant Reader’s Bill of Rights

I just stumbled upon this. Many librarian blogs make mention of Daniel Pennac’s Reader’s Bill of Rights and they have then adapted it to suit all readers, including reluctant readers.

From the Library Voice:
Daniel Pennac’s Original Reader’s Bill of Rights.

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

And the librarian adapted Reluctant Reader’s Bill of Rights.

The right to read at your own pace.

The right to choose whatever book you want.

The right to read graphic novels and manga.

The right to read magazines.

The right to read non-fiction.

The right to not like a book.

We have been talking a lot in class about reluctant YA readers and what sort of reasons might be behind their reticence. I think this list speaks to a lot of those reasons – that for many of them what they like to read, or how they like to read is not something traditionally recognized as ‘good reading.’ Given this, the responsibility falls to us as librarians to create an environment in which all readers feel encouraged — but also know that is okay NOT to like a book, or to put a book down.