JK opposes age banding

According to the Scotsman newspaper – JK Rowling has weighed into the age banding debate and has added her name to the petition over on notoagebanding.org. The Scotsman seem to think that it is the end of line for age banding if JK opposes – I’m not sure one writer wields THAT much power?

Interestingly the Scotsman does include a round up of how the main UK children’s book publishers are currently standing on the issue.

Children’s publishers now fall into three camps. Walker Books, which was opposed to the move from the outset, has been joined by JK Rowling’s publisher, Bloomsbury, and about eight other major publishers. Against them are Random House, Scholastic and Egmont.

There is a also a quote from recent visitor to Dublin, Keith Gray about his opinion on age banding

Would those queues for Harry Potter have been so long if the books had had a ‘Teens’ sticker?” he asks. “Younger readers wouldn’t have bothered with it and neither would most of the grown-ups.

“The whole age-banding thing is a nonsense, and I’m very pleased JK Rowling is supporting the campaign against it.”

Ostrich Boys and Creatures of the Night

Kate Thompson and Keith Gray were fascinating on Monday evening in the National Library. There was a couple of key issues that stood out for me….

What is this notion of young adult fiction or writing for teenagers? I think both writers felt that books about teenagers and books for teenagers where distinguished from each other by intent – whether the author was writing reflectively around the teenage years in the former or writing about the teenage experience in the latter – it was a point I would have liked to talk more about – in fact I could have talked about it all evening…..

The other element that struck me was the differences between Kate and Keith in their writing style, their focus and their outlooks. Really interesting stuff.

On a final note – was delighted Keith supplied a collective noun for interesting ideas and pertinent points – apparently henceforth it will be called a “Dunbar” in honour of Robert Dunbar our fantastic chair for the evening.

Kate Thompson

Niall MacMonagle gave Kate Thompson a very favourable review in the book section of Saturday’s Irish Times. It really is a terrific read which showcases Kate’s great skill in blending the fantastical with ordinary family life. David Maybury has an interesting review  also

For those who are interested in hearing more about Creature of the Night, CBI will present Kate in conversation with Robert Dunbar and Scottish author Keith Gray, in the National Library on Monday June 30th from 6.30pm

Tickets are free but should be booked in advance by contacting CBI – 01 8727475/info@childrensbooksireland.ie

Ps Kate Thompson for Aosdana anyone?