Finding Your Book
“Should Teenagers Get to Decide What They Read?” by Raegen B., 8th grade
Reading in 2026 isn’t the most common thing that you see teens doing. Some are out playing soccer or volleyball. Maybe even doom scrolling on TikTok. But reading? It’s like pulling teeth to get some teenagers to even pick up a Diary of Wimpy Kid book! But what about those few? The ones in the corner of the lunchroom with their nose always buried in a book who finish almost 150 books every year? The ones who fly through books like they’re just walking? Should they get to make the decision on what they can or cannot read?
Giving teenagers and kids the option to pick what they want to read gives them freedom to read about what interests them. Assigning kids books that don’t interest them, may not push as many kids to want to read as you want. The McLoyd, in 1979 study proves this big time. The study gave kids 10 books to choose from, and they got to rank it based on what they found interesting, and what they didn’t find interesting. Then, give half the kids their top choices, and the other half their lowest choice. And of course as a result, the kids who got their top choice read much longer than those who got their last choice. This proves the fact that kids and teenagers are more likely to read books if they’re about what interests them. I mean, who wants to read a boring book for fun? Isn’t reading supposed to be fun and indulging the reader? Pressuring, and forcing kids to read isn’t going to make them want to read; it’s going to make them not like it and maybe even start hating it. Controlling what kids read can come off as being too pushy, and controlling so giving them the freedom to read and choose what books they like is the better approach to take.
Now, giving kids the freedom to choose what they read doesn’t mean to let them read books WAY above their age and reading level. I mean, you’re not going to give a 12-year old Stephen King, right? But at the same time, you’re not going to give them books like Pete the Cat. The approach that teenagers and kids should take when they find a book that they want to read is to ask and talk to their parents about it first. Going to your school’s librarian is also a great option since they’ve probably read a good chunk of the books in your school’s library and have a plethora of recommendations across many different genres that are age appropriate. Librarians are one of the most trustworthy resources regarding books and any recommendations that they have will most likely be amazing! Now teenagers should not only get recommendations from their librarian, but they (being both the teenagers and parents) should do research on the book. Doing research will allow for parents to set clear boundaries to what they’re comfortable with their kids reading. Some parents may not be comfortable with their kids reading books with more mature themes like abuse, death, and more gory injuries. Now, there is the case that some parents may not care what their kids read, but they should at least be aware of the fact that their own kids may be reading books with much more mature and adult themes.
The limit to what kids and teenagers should and shouldn’t be able to read should be something right in the middle; The books should be at a level that is in range of their age and maturity level, but not to low where they’re reading 4th grade level books, but not too high where they’re reading adult books. Even if teenagers are reading books like manga and graphic novels, that’s OKAY! Either way, they’re reading! There is nothing wrong with wanting to read Dog Man, Big Nate, or The Babysitters Club! Some people want to pick up a book with pictures and color every once in a while since looking at a page full of just words can be overwhelming after a long day at school or work. Even audiobooks work; I LOVE listening to a good audiobook before I go to bed. Now, even though it may not be ideal, there is the case that some teenagers can, and have the ability to read above their age and maturity level and I’m not saying that this isn’t okay! This is great, considering they can read way beyond what society labels them as only being able to read. In fact, especially with younger kids, being able to read at a higher reading level promotes them to work independently more often, with higher knowledge and vocabulary.
So, should kids decide what they can and cannot read? It depends, but overall, YES. However, teenagers and parents should both do research on the kinds of books that teens may be interested in reading and should set clear boundaries and guidelines. Setting boundaries will allow for kids to read books appropriate for their age level and not more or less. Overall, boundaries are key!
Sources:
- https://www.readingrockets.org/blogs/shanahan-on-literacy/should-kids-pick-their-own-reading-texts#:~:text=according%20to%20a%20blog%20post%2c%20there%20is,reading%20motivation**%20*%20**reading%20achievement%20of%201.20
- https://www.shanahanonliteracy.com/blog/what-do-we-do-with-above-grade-readers#:~:text=An%20important%20thing%20to%20remember,additional%20planning%20time%2C%20however)
- And me 🙂
“Finding Love for Reading” by Palin S., 8th grade
How I personally got into reading
Most kids find reading boring and think that’s not going to help them in life. It’s actually the opposite, when you discover books you find interesting, it can become compelling. When you think of reading you may think of it as like a chore, something that schools make you do, for me finding that one genre that suits my interests made me feel like I’m watching a movie. I used to hate reading, then in early 7th grade my friend started talking to me about books that sounded interesting to me, it was similar to movies I watched or were inspired by movies I watched. I started reading graphic novels at first, then got into text-only books. Now I’m in a student literacy class and enjoy reading.
The uprise of books and why people are finding more interest in it
Have you ever seen “booktok”? There’s many posts that inspire people to read on tiktok, as long as you find kid-friendly books if you’re at a younger age than it also can be helpful. If you’re in your teenage years and you enjoy rom-coms and etc. they also have many recommendations. Social media has built a base that many book readers use to find books that suit them, even for people that aren’t so much into books can find many books that could interest them.
Books that guided me to actually enjoy books
Restart by Gordon Korman: this was one of the only books that interested me while I was in around 4 or 5th grade that my class read all together. It had so much climax and overall so much endorsement. Even though I didn’t read as much, I still remember that book being one of my favorites. To look at a viewpoint of having to restart your entire life, and remember how it was before he fell off the roof.
At 10 reading that book was like watching a movie.
New Kid by Jerry Craft: I read this book in 6th grade when the author, Jerry Craft, came to our school as an author visit. That was the best author visit I’ve ever seen at my middle school. He was inspiring, fun, and I love his books. His books had such good concepts to them and especially New kid, that is what started it all. I will say Class Act is also one of the best books I’ve ever read. I don’t move a lot so I don’t know so much about being a new kid in a school but I do remember the transition to middle school and now I’m about to make it to high school, knowing that’s another hard transition. This book helps very well with that and the other series do too with other concepts. I love the diversity and the way this book can inspire.
Now as I got older I wanted to get into books that i found interest in similar to movies or shows I watch, I personally like Rom-Coms so i found interest into similar books, i won’t go into full details and give exact books but I will say, finding books that feel like you would watch the movie or show version is how I really started loving books as I got older. It can be any genre as long as you love it!
Better Than the Movies by Lynn Painter : This a great starter book if you want to get into rom-coms, it was my second. I’m currently 14 and I read it in December. I recommend it if you’re around that age. I feel like in most rom-com books the main character always has a widowed parent or some situation at home and I feel like many people could relate to that. Many teenage girls want their life to be like the movies where you fall in love, in most cases scenarios it’s not like that and if there is it’s not that simple, i feel like this book along with other rom-coms give you that. A not so perfect love story. I’d love this book and hope to read many more from this author.
In conclusion, books are actually fun and interesting to read when you find the ones you like and suit your creative taste. You don’t want to be stuck reading a book you’re forced to read if you don’t actually like it. Many librarians in and out of school can help you find the one that you actually want to read. So don’t waste your time and actually enjoy reading.
Thank you so much to my student voices today and their look at finding the right book!
