Thoughts From The Book In Question by Carol Jago

This book is an immediate call to action for all educators, not just English teachers. 

Let's begin with the problem:

"...too many students are choosing not to read. As a result they are less informed, less articulate, and I believe less understanding of others" (14).

I agree, and immediately connected this to the work of Rudine Sims Bishop. Please click the following link to a short video in which she discusses the importance of reading diverse books:

Rudine Sims Bishop on Mirrors, Windows, and Sliding Glass Doors

Additionally, you may want to check out We Need Diverse Books.

Jago explains, "Fictional characters are invaluable facilitators of dialogue concerning delicate topics" (115). She specifically mentions the importance of reading books like The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas. I would recommend exploring any or all of the books on the Project LIT Community reading list.

"...the importance of working toward the goal of ensuring every child grows up to be an able and avid reader cannot be overstated" (25).

At the end of the first quarter, I surveyed my students at length about their attitudes toward reading. Needless to say, they don't all love it. I'm constantly inundated with, "all these books are trash," or "there's nothing to read in here." Further conversations have revealed that many were not given time to read books that they chose in earlier grades. Reading was mostly done for the purpose of answering questions. Is it any wonder that many students see reading as a chore, or something just "for school"?

So educators, what are we going to DO to change these negative perceptions of reading?

"While a well-stocked classroom library and a passionate reader-teacher are critical ingredients of a vibrant reading program, they are not enough. You need to create a culture of reading within your classroom" (28).

I believe that the culture of reading needs to be present within the entire school. Our staff publicly posts what we are reading, and have been challenged by one of our Library Media Specialists to read 1000 books during the school year. Our wonderful art teacher has made a visual representation of our progress and placed it near the cafeteria for everyone to see. But I don't believe what we're doing is enough. We need to TALK about our reading with students. I came back from a doctor's appointment and told my students about the book I finished while I was in the waiting room. One student asked, "Wait, you mean you really read, like FOR REAL?" I enthusiastically replied, "YES!" Our kids need to understand that reading is a LIFE skill. 

As I continue to reflect on this book it may lead to further writing, but I'm going to end this post with what I consider to be my personal call to action.

"We should be concerned about the large number of students who don’t read every bit as much as we worry about those who can’t" (10).

Why Is Book Access Important To You?

This question was posed to the participants of the #ProjectLITChat on Sunday, November 4. It was suggested that we might benefit from having all of the fantastic responses in one blog post. I accepted the challenge! 😊
If I missed your response, I sincerely apologize. 

• Book access is important to me because students need to see for themselves there is more to reading than the books read in English classes. Access and choice build reading lives and validate what authentic reading really looks like. Students deserve access to that world. ~Christine Larsen
  
• Book access is crucial, but almost as important is teachers/librarians showcasing titles. Kids looking at stacks and stacks of books can be overwhelming. Finding a way to hook kids on a title is how we'll keep them coming back. ~Jonathon Myers
  
• Book access is important to me because it's an equalizer in our society. Everyone has the right to read and access information and ideas, not just the wealthy or privileged. ~Kelsey Collins
  
• Students need access to books to increase literacy. Believe it or not, students are pretty shocked when I tell them they can request and have any book shipped from within a library system for free. That's empowering. ~Sidney Thomas
  
• Book access is important because readers learn they're not alone in whatever struggle sets them apart. Characters and settings like themselves can be found between the lines of the stories recorded in books.
  ~Joy Barnes-Johnson, Ph.D.
  
• Book access important to me because poverty keeps people bound. Books, especially from classrooms and libraries in print and digital forms allow people to experience other worlds at the low, yet valuable cost of time. ~Joy Barnes-Johnson, Ph.D.
  
• Book access is crucial, as it can give students a representation of life/the world. The more diverse the library, the more accurate the representation. ~Basil E. Frankweiler
  
• I enjoy watching a young reader disappear into the work of the writer as both unite as one. Book access helps me sustain that enjoyment. The more books, the merrier. ~Manuel Garces, Jr.
  
• Your classroom library should reflect your current students, so book access is everything. You want your students to be reading material that represents them, intrigues them and makes them wonder. ~Monika Moorman
  
• Books save lives. Students silently deal with so much doubt, pressure, and trauma. Books are a reminder that they are not alone. Also, books just make us better humans, no? ~Isabel Morales
  
• Book access is just the beginning, then we need to give everyone time to read and time to talk about what they've read. Talk--not complete worksheets--but have conversations, book chats, book blessings, chat-chat-chat! ~Kris McGee
  
• When I think about book access, I think about my young readers, but I also think about my preservice teachers I teach. They need access to books too, just like our inservice teachers do. Readers become stronger by reading. ~Kris McGee
  
• As a librarian, book access is at the heart of what I do! I want my students to have access to all kinds of stories offering both windows and mirrors and find their passion for reading! ~Shannon DeSantis
  
• Book access means a chance to learn about one's self and the world. I also link it to freedom. ~Sarah Williams
  
• Books are powerful. Every student deserves access to the ticket that a book holds. This ticket can not only transport a reader into a magical world, but it can also teach empathy, and reiterate the idea that you are not alone. ~Tyler Sainato
  
• People need to be able to have books--not just any book, but relevant and interesting ones. Many times it's not the lack of desire to read, but the lack of resources which prevents reading. ~Tracy Mitchell
  
• Book access creates community, inspires wonder, and is foundational in the work for equity in education. ~Dan Dooher
  
• Book access is important because the stories young readers need are often restricted, or not available to them. ~Teresa Easterling, M.Ed.
  
• Students aren't always exposed to the subjects, people, professions, mentors, attitudes, optimism, and other traits they need to create a successful life for themselves. Having access to books and stories that guide them and help them cope can be lifesaving. ~Brandy Sue Alexander
  
• Book access is access to lives. ~Clint Whitten
  
• Book access is everything! The only way I know to create authentic readers is to provide books that speak to real teenagers. There is no universal book that fits everyone, so we must have access to MANY books. ~Lynn Hagen
  
• All kids should be flooded with great books, period. We know how impactful it is to have good books at your fingertips and so it should be a right for all; not just the lucky, the privileged, the wealthy, or the kids with "high enough test scores." ~Ashleigh Rose
  
• I truly believe that fiction books are crucial in building empathy and allowing readers to imagine themselves in worlds other than their own. Everyone deserves access to different perspectives. ~Miss Rachel CY
  
• Book access is central to literacy, which is fundamental to equity. ~90-Second Newbery
  
• If we want students to become expert learners we need to help them find all the ways to do so. Book access is at the top of my list. The more tools we can put in their hands the better learning and living can be. ~Kelley Culp
  
• We can't expect our students to read if we don't give them access to great books! ~Jennifer Green
  
• Providing students with access to books that are interesting to them gets them wanting to read. I don't know how many students have told me this it the first they're read a book in a long time. ~Saral Gillman
  
• Book access is important because it allows all students the opportunity to read, learn, and experience life. ~ELA with Urquhart
  
• Books have the power to change and save lives. And despite what MI courts may say, literacy IS a fundamental right for ALL people. ~Jessica Sherburn
  
• As a librarian, book access = the heart of our profession. If we're doing it right, book access means access to books--a flood of books--that reflect our students, their interests, and their lived experiences. Books save lives. Books save all of us. ~Julie Stivers
  
• I'm finding that my students are reading much more now that I have a constant supply of amazing books available that they want to read. Access makes kids readers because they are within reach when the desire strikes, and it's not an extra effort. ~Molly Castner
  
• The only way to foster a love of reading is to have access to books that interest students. ~Dr. C. Tennyson
  
• I believe limiting or eliminating access to books that are culturally sustaining is a deliberate move that affects lives and futures in ways that ultimately impacts society as a whole. ~Julia E. Torres
  
• Book access is important to me, because I believe that reading is transformative. Kids just need time to read and access to great books. ~Nicole Russell
  
• Book access is important because if we do not flood our students with text, if we do not make it easy, if we do not make it accessible, it is easier to just not read, and not have your life changed by wonderful stories. And that would be a shame. ~George Evans
  
• Reading is important. Period. We have to bring back the love of learning. Because of Project LIT book selections, I have been able to hook students into reading again. ~Sara Devine
  
• Book access leads to literacy and engagement, empathy and an opening of horizons, revealing what is possible, and creating conversations. Storytelling is universal. ~Derrick Schellenberg
  
• Book access should lead to book choice, with students empowered to inquire into current topics and author styles of interest to them. Kids should be subjected to a wide variety of types of texts and engage in reading levels that meet them where they are. ~Derrick Schellenberg
  
• Book access is important to me because ALL students deserve to be surrounded by quality books they can use as mirrors, windows, or doors. As a teacher, I can help make sure my students have access. ~Sarah Levy
  
• Book access to me means choice. The more books students have access to, they will more likely find that book that "speaks" to them, or the book that hooks the reluctant reader. It also opens students to worlds beyond their own. ~Dayan Shannon
  
• Book access is important to me because I know how much I use books as part of my own emotional story. Everyone deserves access to tools that help them feel all the feels. ~Mrs. Schimizzi, NBCT
  
• Book access is important because I want reading to compete with video games and sports as entertainment and not just something you do in English class. Build the knowledge and skills while being entertained and kids will do it. Make it hard, and they won't. ~Amanda Kremnitzer
  
• Acknowledging book access (or lack thereof) demystified the struggle my kids were having with reading confidence. Once I updated my library and provided MEANINGFUL texts for my kids, reading was no longer a battle. Kids will read a book if it matters to them. ~Zaz the Teacher
  
• Everyone needs to see himself/herself/themselves in books AND others need to learn about them. Then we all need safe spaces to talk about them. ~Veronica B Dougherty
  
• Book access is such a huge deal on so many levels: building empathy, bridging learning gaps with powerful reads, ensuring our students have an escape with reading, etc. Just always want to get those great reads in their hands! ~Mrs. Criswell
  
• (Book access is important) because my choice of learning is limitless. It has grown my vocabulary, my questioning, my beliefs, etc. ~Barbara Page, M.Ed