Monday, May 26, 2008

Reading the Classics

Thanks to Melanie B. over at The Wine-Dark Sea for this link. "Nancy Drew and the Wine-Dark Sea" explains the value of classical literature--and the inanity of most children's literature. A good motivation to continue your brave fight for truth, goodness, and beauty!

3 comments:

Modest Mama said...

This is a very interesting topic because I recently spoke with someone who was concerned that James was reading classics like Hardy Boys and Bobbsey Twins. Her concern was that these books may contain a lot of prejudice and were rather "dated." Have any thoughts on this?

Christine said...

I wish there had been a Mrs. Leonard in my life when I was that age! I had terrible taste in literature -- really, terrible. I wasted my time and brain cells reading every vapid, trashy teen novel there was and only as an adult did I realize what I had been missing as far as classics go.

Still, I wouldn't want to limit kids to *only* classics. There's good contemporary literature out there, too...you just have to take the time to sort through the chaff to find the wheat. ..

Erika Ahern said...

Jessica, the Hardy Boys and Bobsy Twins are certainly "dated," if your friend means they are set and written in a language from an earlier era. I'm not sure about the "prejudice" problem--were the Hardy Boys racist? I don't remember, actually... I think it's fine for kids to read them as long as any possible "prejudices" they encounter are not tolerated in their homes.

I remember Madeleine L'Engle books having inappropriate content, but I didn't imitate the characters' behaviors because my parents taught me so clearly at home that it was wrong. I guess what I'm saying is--whether or not the Hardy Boys/BT's are squeaky clean--what you tell James is right and true makes the Bigger Difference.