I agree with markmorvenlodge’s concern about exciting books being “banned” for the sake of one or two words (“I know what’s inappropriate”, 1 March). As a secondary English teacher, I have yet to meet a child who has been disturbed by such trivial and fleeting use of profane language in a text.

I am often horrified by the subject matter of texts chosen in primary schools, however. In the past few months, I have learned of children studying Wonder in P4, and The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas in P5, both texts I would give serious thought to covering with an S2 class.

Children are entitled to read books that challenge and interest them, and this may mean exposing them to “grittier” subjects than we would have read about ourselves. It is important, however, to remember that they are still children, however advanced their reading skills.

Subjects such as the Holocaust deserve to be covered responsibly and thoroughly - but that respectful level of exploration is not appropriate for nine-year-olds.

Figra via the TES website.