If you don't read, I don't know how to communicate with you...I can never express who I am in my own words as powerfully as my books can.

The purpose of schools should not be to prepare students for more school. We should be seeking to have fully engaged students now

Our children shouldn't have to wait for adulthood to become wild readers. For many, it will be too late.

I never tell students they cannot read a book they pick up, but I do guide them toward books that I think would be a good fit for them. I think of myself as a reading mentor-a reader who can help them find books they might like.

A classroom atmosphere that promotes reading does not come from the furniture and its placement as much as it comes from the teacher's expectation that students will read.

Failing to graduate a populace that values reading has long-term consequences for everyone.

Failure is not an option, so why talk about it?