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

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.

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

Books are love letters (or apologies) passed between us, adding a layer of conversation beyond our spoken words.

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.

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

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.