Although I enjoy digging through the library to help students find books, my aim is to help them develop self-confidence in choosing books for themselves.

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.

By believing that only some of our students will ever develop a love of books and reading, we ignore those who do not fall into books and reading on their own. We renege on our responsibility to teach students how to become self-actualized readers. We are selling our students short by believing that reading is a talent and that lifelong reading behaviors cannot be taught.

I realized that every lesson, conference, response, and assignment I taught must lead students away from me and toward their autonomy as literate people.

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.

When we meet and I discover that we have read and loved the same books, we are instant friends.

Students need to make their own choices about reading material and writing topics.