Books, books, books

Now this is more like it.

Collecting Max from school always instills in me a sense of trepidation. Is he going to run out, beaming and excited or is he going to stomp out, stroppy and in a foul mood? Rightly or wrongly, Max's moods often dictate the rest of our afternoon at home which is why today when he skipped out of the door, coat hanging down his back and lunchbag trailing across the playground, I breathed a sigh of relief. Today has been a good day.

And why had it been a good day? He was very quick to tell me. All the boys on his reading level had been snuck out of the classroom and taken to a special, secret location in which were hidden a basket of books. Books just for boys. No girls allowed.

Of course, this appeals to Max's "girls should not exist" nature (and yes, I am convinced this will change when the hormones begin to rage around his body, but for now it's really quite funny). Books that are only for boys? Books that girls cannot pollute? Books that cannot be contaminated by being in the vicinity of pink books about fairies and princesses? This is mightily impressive.

A big pat on the back for whoever thought up that idea. Boys, who so often struggle with reading and writing, will be hopefully motivated afresh to pick up one of those secret books and get reading.

It's not often I say this, but good job School.