There is no excuse NOT to have books that kids are passionate about, a topic they are willing to do anything for so they will learn and become better readers. They don't care if it's a challenging read (just as they don't care if the video game is challenging) — in fact, the challenge is part of the fun of learning. It's what real readers do.
Let's put the right books in their hands. They don't want to read biographies about dead white men, they want to read about Brad Pitt, or Hannah Montana, or Serena Williams.
Their practice in books should be something they want to read.
Find books – let them find books – that are fascinating reads. Think about what fascinates you. Or people you know. We are talking about real world reading to prepare real world readers, right?
Instead of just a story on murders, how about a book on forensic science? Instead of a book on football, how about a book on how a football team uses strategy and practice to prepare for a game or season?
Here's the truth (and you know it well): When a student is not passionate about what they are reading, they end up "fake reading" or just turning the pages and picking out the bold keywords and phrases (because that's what will probably be on the test). Do we want to train fake reading or passionate reading?
So as you prepare for the year, do you know what books you will make accessible? Do you know where to find them?
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