New-York tribune., 1903-01-02
BOYS AND GIRLS AND BOOKS.
Stories the Birthright of Young People

Many thoughtful people. conscious of the strong
formative influence of books, have been trying OF
late to find out what boys and girls are reading
Librarians have been asked for statistics ana scoo
superintendents have been piled with questions
In view of this public interest word OF personal
observation may not be untimely, writes school
teacher.
We cannot form any reasonable conclusion about
their reading without taking into account the ease
with which books obtainable. 1t is an unols-
puted fact that fifty years ago young chiIuren
almost invariably read Pilgrims Progress The
reason is not far TO seek. The child was in search
of his birthright-a story Although children
books were scarcely to be found he demanded hle'
real imaginary which lay outside his own nm
tied personal experience. He did not bother the
slIegory and the aflegory, with equal good breed
ing forbore to bother him. To-day real fairy
books may be had almost for the asking and as
result the nineyear-old child who of his own free
will has chosen read Pilgrims Progress IS al
most a curiosity
upon the pupils choice is the effect of the outward
dress of the volume. Boys and girls have been
taught to like attractvely bound and printed DOCKS
They like better read the books ABOUT "hich
everybody is talking. -Four or five years ago Ruo-
yard Kipling's short stories were scarcely more
popular among adults than among boys ano girls
Just now they reading historical romances-
How far the older person may in wisdom inter-
fere with the youths independent exercise OF Juos
naent is a matter worthy of consideration, 1t Is
questionable whether the free wanderlngs through
libraries highly spoken of for our grandfathers @
would be of equal advantage TO our own poys anu
girls Our libraries contain wide list OF gooo
books, many weak books and, unluck1ly certain
really perncious books. DR.. @. Stanley HAN says;
Every young person should before leaving school
have experienced the charm OF Ireely & PdVsltiS WIS
through library OF solid, substantial BOOKS. When
our libraries all solid and substantlal We may
trust our bows and girls to range through them.
Until such time it is the general view that the
best results are obtained by means of m0derate
amount Of supervision. In accordance with fhs De,
lief most Of high schools have compiled III IN
recent years supplementary lists OF books Tor the
home use of the pupil, wnen desirable
1--WE frequently make the mistake OF expecting
too mature interest in books. The young student
prefers life to geperalizations; for this reason ne
seldom enjoys to the full the essays on ne wniSa @
are the delight of his elders. We-can put INTO tne
hands of our boys and girls books that are really
literature great thoughts which they Will never
feel in fter years that they wasted time in reading
Let their books, like their pictures be OF the sort
that they will outgrow We can learn, Iurther-
more to be patient with them if they reject the
stories that they pleased to call dull and for
several years choose read and possess tales OF
adventure and knightly doings Let US remember
that they living in the age of romance, garner
ing up stores of brave deeds and loyal thoughts
that may be an inspiration through the years 10
come"