Rights of the Reader Book

This witty, refreshing treatise from a celebrated author and seasoned teacher is a passionate defense of reading — just for the joy of it.

First published in 1992 and even more relevant now, Daniel Pennac's quirky ode to reading has sold more than a million copies in his native France. Drawing on his experiences as a child, a parent, and an inner-city teacher in Paris, the author reflects on the power of story and reminds us of our right to read anything, anywhere, anytime, so long as we are enjoying ourselves. In a new translation with a foreword and illustrations by Quentin Blake, here is a guide to reading unlike any other: fresh,
sympathetic, and never didactic, it is a work of literature in its own right.

Children's Literature

Originally published in France in 1992 as Comme un Roman, this book length essay should be required reading for all who read for pleasure and particularly for everyone in the education profession. Pennac was a teacher in Paris for many years and he draws on his experiences in the classroom getting students of all ages to enjoy reading. He reminds the reader of the power of story and how to avoid the pitfalls that get in the way of the story. Books that are called "classics" achieve that label, not by being educational or by being nourishing, but by being great stories. He reminds us that books are primarily entertainment, partnerships between storytellers and readers. He gives readers the right to skip passages, not to finish a book that is not interesting, and to re-read books or passages. The illustrations are characteristic of Quentin Blake's work, whimsical and sketchy, providing just the right tone. If this book does not make you stand up a little straighter when caught standing at the breakfast counter with your current book in hand, you have missed the message—read it again! Reviewer: Ellen Welty