Commercialism In Classroom: Publisher Defends Non-book Products as Way to Spark Interest In Reading

I think that even though they are "non-book items" it is also very true that it is getting harder and harder to keep kids interests. In today's world children are constantly bombarded with advertisements for clothes, toys, candy, and many other things. And they're taking it all in. So, of course to get a kids attention, your going to have to use something that appeals to them.

I don't see anything unethical about it. They are trying to appeal to kids using what will attract their attention in an attempt to get them to actually sit down and enjoy a book. Something that will help them in the future.

If I we're a parent this would not bother me. I would be glad that they are making an effort to interest my child in something as important and necessary to education as reading.

If I were Scholastic I would see the results these items are having. If they are having a positive result and are getting kids to read, then I would keep doing the same thing in order to appeal to children in an effort to get them to read and better themselves.