[zzzeek]

> At some point, you need to watch out for cynical/nasty series. In fact, all of the books we purchase are ranked against peers they have read in the past, or those we know to actively avoid buying due to cynicism, sarcasm, or open disdain towards adults (Wimpy Kid).

yeah how do you "know" this? our kid is obsessed with wimpy kid and a few other similar series and "cynicism" nails it perfectly, is there a list? of what's known to be "cynical" and what's not?

[ndriscoll]

Funnily enough, I was using ChatGPT for the same purpose a week or so ago. You can ask something like:

> I'd like recommendations for book series that avoid self-pity, misanthropy, nihilism, and over-indulgence in self-identity analysis. Lessons on character building and virtue can be present but ideally without overt moralizing. Characters should simply inspire through their actions. Starting from Curious George, and working toward things like LotR. Background themes should lay the groundwork for stoic and transcendental philosophy later.

If you then ask for series to avoid, at least in my session Wimpy Kid is explicitly named. Or more succinctly it basically told me I want pre-1970s children's literature and adventure fiction and stay away from contemporary school-market YA.

[IG_Semmelweiss]

Earlier poster nailed it. LLMs are a godsend here.

There are tons of parents that have traveled this road before you and I. LLMs leverage this data. Its just a matter of writing a decent prompt, and recycling it.

Cynicism, Disrespect, Bullying, Violence, Sarcasm.

Wimpy Kid is a valid gateway drug if your kids refuse to pick up any books. But in my opinion, its a break-the-glass situation.

Its the book you buy only because nothing else will stick (options have been tried and failed).