High school students need time and space to read for pleasure. Here’s why it matters.

A few years ago, on a visit to our shared campus library, a wonderful high school teacher we know was there with one of his classes. Asked what his students were doing in the library, he replied “Just reading.” 

Giving kids the time and space to read books of their choosing during the school day shouldn’t be a radical act. But it can feel like one. Teachers wonder: What if students aren’t reading? How do I grade reading? Would this time be better spent preparing them for an upcoming assessment?

Despite competing pressures, we — Lauren, a high school  English teacher, and Marie, a campus librarian — have created and are piloting a reading program, called “Just Read.” The simple premise behind this effort: All students should have the right to read books for enjoyment. The goals: Make reading a habit and increase reading stamina.

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