Not letting kids read books that capture their interest has huge consequences.
I grew up in a mostly very strict family but our parents somehow gave us this huge pocket of laissez-faire freedom when it came to checking out library books. It’s almost as if they thought it would benefit us to read any kind of ideas and we would develop critical thinking skills!!
There were important things that the adults in my life didn’t necessarily feel comfortable talking with me about. Or have the tools to do so. But since I could find out the information I needed from Books & Magazines, I ended up being able to navigate the world.
PS. You know what’s super enticing and makes people want to read? Especially teenagers I imagine. Declaring some book “forbidden”!