...oops, posted that too soon. Meant to add that I do see the value of "at least their reading" -- to a point. I have kids who read nothing but Gossip Girls, and it does get them into the library, which means sometimes I can say, "Have you read X? It's awesome; give it a try." And sometimes it flops, but when it takes off? They're choosing quality, in a way they would never have if they hadn't got in the reading habit in the first place.

Of course, it can be too easy to get in a rut of comfort books. I did that when I was a kid with the Baby-sitters Club, and I see my kids doing it now with stuff they loved in 4th grade. So they have to be reminded to stretch themselves. But I do still say, "at least they're reading!" (Bear in mind that I'm talking about middle schoolers here. The answer is probably somewhat different for older kids.)