Fifteen-year-old Clara sits in the back row of her French literature class, scrolling through Instagram under her desk. When her teacher pulls out a worn copy of a classic novel, Clara’s eyes glaze over. Sound familiar? This scene plays out in classrooms across France every day, where getting teenagers to read has become one of education’s biggest challenges.
But there’s hope. Marie-Hélène Lafon, one of France’s most respected contemporary authors, believes she has found the key to unlocking young people’s love for literature. Her solution isn’t an app, a gimmick, or a trendy marketing campaign. It’s something much simpler and more powerful: shared joy.
“To get young people reading, I have no other way than shared pleasure,” says Marie-Hélène Lafon, who serves as patron of the Nuits de la lecture, France’s nationwide reading festival. Her approach has already begun transforming how libraries and schools think about connecting teenagers with books.
A Teacher Who Understands Both Worlds
Marie-Hélène Lafon’s unique perspective comes from living in two very different Frances. She grew up in rural Auvergne, where books were precious commodities that arrived like “messengers from faraway places.” The landscape of farms and endless winters shaped her understanding of how literature can bridge vast distances – both geographic and cultural.
Later, as a teacher in urban middle schools and high schools, Lafon worked daily with teenagers who had little connection to literary culture outside their classroom walls. This dual experience – rural childhood meets urban classroom – gives her insights that purely academic approaches often miss.
“I’ve seen kids who think literature is something that happens to other people, in other places,” Lafon explains. “My job was to show them that stories belong to everyone.”
Her own novels, including her recent work “Hors champ” published by Buchet-Chastel, reflect this philosophy. They’re short, accessible books that focus on ordinary lives and real voices. Lafon writes about people who rarely see themselves in literature – farmers, factory workers, quiet families living unremarkable but deeply meaningful lives.
What Makes Reading Contagious
Lafon’s methods for engaging young readers go far beyond traditional teaching techniques. Her approach centers on creating genuine emotional connections between teenagers and stories. Here’s what makes her strategy work:
- Reading aloud together: She emphasizes the power of hearing stories spoken, which connects to humanity’s oldest storytelling traditions
- Choosing relatable stories: Focus on books that reflect teenagers’ real experiences and concerns
- Creating safe spaces: Libraries and classrooms become places where it’s cool to get excited about a good story
- Sharing personal reactions: Adults model genuine enthusiasm and vulnerability when discussing books
- No judgment zones: Students can express honest opinions without fear of being “wrong” about literature
| Traditional Approach | Lafon’s Method |
|---|---|
| Analyze literary techniques | Share emotional responses |
| Focus on “important” classics | Start with engaging, accessible stories |
| Individual silent reading | Group reading experiences |
| Test comprehension | Discuss personal connections |
| Teacher as authority | Teacher as fellow reader |
During the Nuits de la lecture festival, Lafon witnesses this philosophy in action across hundreds of French libraries. “I see teenagers who thought they hated reading suddenly lean forward when someone reads a passage that speaks to them,” she says. “That moment – that’s where everything changes.”
The Real-World Impact on France’s Reading Crisis
France faces a genuine reading crisis among young people. Recent studies show that teenagers spend less time reading for pleasure than any previous generation. Social media, video games, and streaming services compete fiercely for their attention. Traditional educational methods aren’t working.
Lafon’s approach offers practical solutions that schools and libraries can implement immediately. Teachers report better engagement when they follow her model of shared reading experiences. Students who previously showed no interest in books start asking for recommendations.
“When you stop treating reading like medicine they have to swallow and start treating it like a conversation they want to join, everything changes,” notes one librarian who has worked with Lafon’s methods.
The festival she leads now reaches over 2 million participants annually. More importantly, many of these events specifically target teenagers and young adults who traditionally avoid literary activities. Libraries report increased youth engagement that continues long after the festival ends.
Marie-Hélène Lafon’s background as both novelist and educator gives her credibility with young people that pure academics often lack. She understands their world while also creating literature that speaks to universal human experiences.
Her novels themselves serve as examples of her philosophy. Rather than dense, intimidating literary works, they’re lean, powerful stories that teenagers can connect with immediately. “I want someone to read my book on a train and miss their stop because they’re so absorbed,” she explains.
The success of her approach suggests that France’s reading crisis isn’t insurmountable. When adults genuinely share their love of stories – rather than just assigning reading as homework – teenagers respond. Libraries following Lafon’s model report sustained increases in youth participation, not just during special events but throughout the year.
As she puts it, “Reading isn’t something you teach. It’s something you catch, like laughter or music. My job is just to make sure young people get exposed to it at its most contagious.”
FAQs
Who is Marie-Hélène Lafon?
She’s a celebrated French novelist and former teacher who now leads France’s national reading festival, focusing on engaging young readers through shared literary experiences.
What is her main approach to getting teenagers to read?
Lafon believes in “shared pleasure” – creating joyful, communal reading experiences rather than treating literature as academic work to be analyzed.
What is the Nuits de la lecture festival?
It’s France’s largest national reading festival, reaching over 2 million participants annually, with special focus on engaging young people who typically avoid literary activities.
How does her teaching background influence her approach?
Having taught teenagers in urban schools while growing up in rural France, Lafon understands both the challenges young people face and how literature can bridge different worlds.
What makes her novels different from traditional literature?
Her books are deliberately accessible, focusing on ordinary people and real voices rather than dense, intimidating literary styles that can put young readers off.
Are her methods actually working?
Yes – libraries using her approach report sustained increases in youth engagement, and teachers following her model see better student participation in reading activities.
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