“I think reading books - of the child’s own choosing - is a better way to spend school nights.”
Reading is the best education, but not always books of the child’s own choosing. Many a 9th grader would be reading “Green Eggs and Ham” if it were up to them.
Then again, you could become a senator from Texas.
I say let the child read. They will eventually gravitate to more challenging fare on their own.
When I was growing up, I spent a lot of time with comic books, MAD magazines, and dime-store novels. Of course adults around me frowned and said I was wasting my time. But I developed a love for reading that never went away.
Being an avid reader lends itself to learning in all subject areas. Everything starts to fall together. It also makes you an excellent writer.