Removing the Joy from Reading

        I remember taking Jenna to the library and checking out books.  We would read together.  She would look at books on her own.  She looked forward to any reading contest or book clubs.  She enjoyed traveling through books and acquiring knowledge.  Reading was a positive thing. 

        Fast forward to the school years that required certain books to analyze in order to receive a good grade.  Reading was no longer fun.  We had to dissect each sentence and look for symbolic meaning.  Why can’t we just enjoy books for the sake of entertainment or learn about subjects that really do interest us instead of something that the educational system came up with? 

        Jenna’s frustration leads her to say, “ why do you suppose the author chose the word ‘the’?  What does that mean? What can we learn about the author illustrating the sky was blue rather than orange or gray?  What do these colors represent?”

        I understand her frustration.  I felt the same way, and we’re not alone.  Being forced to read To Kill a Mocking Bird would not have been so bad if being graded on the representation of every word and character had not “killed” the joy of reading.  At least Jenna will read and memorize script.  I find myself relying more on video or audio entertainment than reading.  I get tired reading. 

        I’ve never been an avid reader.  I am slow.  I would rather read on my own terms though I often wish it was at a faster pace.  I do enjoy learning – but I’d rather research what interests me and what is easiest for my mind to handle.