Readers enjoy talking about books almost as much as they like reading.

Students will read if we give them the books, the time, and the enthusiastic encouragement to do so. If we make them wait for the one unit a year in which they are allowed to choose their own books and become readers, they may never read at all. To keep our students reading, we have to let them.

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.

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

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.

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

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