

LONDON, June 4 (UPI) -- Author Philip Pullman is protesting plans to place age-related ratings on children's books in England.
The Daily Telegraph said that, starting this fall, book covers will state whether they are intended for readers ages 5+, 7+, 9+, 11+ or 13+/teen.
"I don't mind anybody having an opinion about my books," Pullman, the author of the "His Dark Materials" fantasy trilogy, told the newspaper. "I don't mind a bookseller deciding they are for this age group or that, or a teacher giving one of my books to a child because they think it is appropriate. But I don't want to see the book itself declaring officially, as if with my approval, that it is for readers of 11 and upwards or whatever. I write books for whoever is interested. When I write a book I don't have an age group in mind. ... The book should be suited to the individual child."
Introduced by some of England's top publishers, the guidelines have met with protest from a group of more than 80 authors, illustrators, librarians, teachers and booksellers, the Telegraph said.
An online petition at www.notoagebanding.org criticized the idea of rating books as "ill-conceived" and "damaging to the interests of young readers."
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Additional Entertainment News Stories | |
NEW YORK, May 26 (UPI) --
Actor Will Smith is nervous about his daughter, 11-year-old musician Willow, dating, he said at the New York City premiere of "Men in Black III."
|
WASHINGTON, May 26 (UPI) --
U.S. Rep. Lynn Jenkins, R-Kansas, Saturday urged the Democratic-controlled Senate to approved House-passed legislation she said would create jobs.
|
CHICAGO, May 26 (UPI) --
U.S. online deal-making firm Groupon said subscribers had until July 6 to file for refunds prompted by a class-action lawsuit.
|
NICE, France, May 26 (UPI) --
Couples getting married at town hall in Nice, in southern France, have been warned their ceremony will be postponed if they and their guests get too rowdy.
|
| Stories | Photos | People | Comments |
View Caption