I read a fascinating article (here or on hoagies I think or perhaps on a gifted blog - it was in my "I must absorb all knowledge about gifted kids phase", sort of resembled my DS's immersion in reading at the time LOL)) about reading and early readers which completely rejects the educators views. It said that it is impossible to advance in comprehension, reading or vocabulary without reading the more advanced material. Its exposure which develops growth. I found it interesting at the time because it implied (or stated I can't remember) that it is different from math - maybe the people with math driven kids can speak to this - with math they can spontaneously learn and develop understanding without new input. Essentially that the input comes from their own working on problems. But reading depends on new inputs. Might also be why so many of us find them voraciously reading so often. So then if we keep them only reading the K books or whatever level, how could they ever learn more and appreciate more!!! And how many more Harry Potter stories were reported of kids who tried it - older and younger than "appropriate" and then continued reading because of it!
I too had one of those librarian stories - at 10 I was reading Harlequin romances!! The librarian refused to let me have them on my junior card - so my dad took them out for me and told her there is nothing she can't read if she wants to - I was so pleased with his defense - until he said - it may be crap but if she wants to read it she can!! LOL. Its so funny now to realize that my dad didn't care that the material might be inappropriate - but it did bug him that he considered it drivel!!! I liked the happy endings, which was funny because I wasn't into princess or anything like that!
DeHe
