Bestselling author Lee Child has argued that UK schools should include thrillers in the curriculum to encourage reading, warning that an overemphasis on literary 'masterpieces' is putting children off. The writer of the Jack Reacher series, which has sold over 100 million copies worldwide, said that while English teachers may want to introduce major works, this approach is 'too much for kids', especially in an era of fragmented attention due to social media.
Child made the comments during a visit to HMP Doncaster, where he has been running literacy sessions with inmates. He hopes the programme will expand nationally, noting that many prisoners were put off reading at school. The sessions involve inmates writing about themselves, with Child offering feedback. He said the goal is to make prison life calmer and reduce reoffending rates, describing the initiative as 'a thoroughly practical thing'.
Child hatched the plan with Labour MP Paul Davies, and together they pitched it to prisons minister James Timpson. So far, they have visited five prisons, with plans to reach 20 and establish a regional model. Justice minister Jake Richards, who joined a session, acknowledged the challenge of ensuring inmates leave prison with skills and confidence to avoid returning to crime.
