What role does reading play in maycomb?

Reading is valued very differently between Atticus's household and much of Maycomb. Books are everywhere in The Finch household. Both Jem and Scout learn to read at a very early age. Consequently when Scout enters the first grade, she is far advanced than any of the other kids. Most of the kids in her class come from poor uneducated family backgrounds. Reading was not on the list of priorities for these families. Even the young teacher Miss, Caroline is surprised by Scout's reading ability. Unfortunately she feels that because Scout did not learn the through the "proper" methods she must undo the damage Atticus has wrought in teaching her to read and write, and forbids Atticus from teaching her further. This of course is a satirical look at reading and the education system at the time. Furthermore much of what Miss. Caroline read to the kids has little relevance to their lives. Animals speaking and doing human things are laughable to these country children who live on farms.