Still another class of reading not denominated literature is contained in the so-called “useful” books which are purely informative and educational in character. Shortly before the “teen age,” when he is interested in experimentation and construction, he seeks books giving information about gardening, handicrafts, mechanics, physics, magic, and manual training, the latter usually accompanied by plans and diagrams for making such things as sleds, boats, model aëroplanes, and electrical apparatus. The boy whose reading has been properly directed graduates from tales of adventure into the better forms of literature, including standard fiction, imaginative narration, history, historical novels, essays, and poetry. Few children, unaided, develop a taste for good literature; it must be cultivated by judicious direction. The best literature is as potent in its influence for good as trashy reading is for evil. The boy’s love for the thrilling, exciting story of adventure beyond the realms of his own experience leads him to devour the so-called “nickel library” and “dime novel,” which may be easily procured from certain news-stands and provides his private reading of which the parent knows nothing. These paper-back pamphlets are usually brilliantly illuminated in colors to attract the eye and exhibit a thrilling picture illustrating some incident in the story. A few of the titles of these “yellow” books afford ample evidence of their contents and influence. I recall through the aid of boyhood recollection such titles as “Hobo Harry, the Boy Tramp”; “Reckless Rob, the Red Ranger of the Rockies”; “Dare Devil Dick, the Boy Bandit”; “The Jesse James Weekly,” devoted to the exploits of that outlaw gang; “Slippery Sam, the Boy Detective,” and others of that ilk. The widespread demand for such stories is shown by their circulation which now exceeds a million copies annually. In all these lurid tales, the detective, outlaw, vagabond, adventurer, bandit, or tramp is made the hero. Their pernicious effect on the boy’s character results from idealizing the reputed virtues of the criminal or semi-criminal hero until the lad’s moral sense is debased; and this is quite apart from the vitiating effect on the boy’s literary taste which is the inevitable result of feeding on these potboilers and penny-a-liners. Such reading matter may be instantly recognized by the parent from its outward dress and should be as promptly banished.