A study of why students scored high on an international reading test taken by 32 countries was written up in the January, 2008 issue of The Journal of Adolescent and Adult Literacy The authors were more interested in what was unique about the reading lives and habits of some students that enabled them to score high

"But I'm not a reading teacher I teach literature

When I support a school district with improving reading and motivating middle school students to read, I always interview dozens of students from each grade during my first two visits I find that middle school students are candid, and these interviews often spotlight students' needs and provide me with the data I need to work with administrators and teachers

Not too long ago, on a visit to two sixth-grade classrooms, I saw very clearly the challenge teachers have before them when they try to differentiate reading In both classrooms, 11-year-olds who read like fourth graders shared tables with classmates who read like the average ninth grader - a five-year span

Once a month I invite students to choose a book they read and present a short, 2 to 3 minute book talk From the start of the school year, it's helpful for you to model the book talking process by giving short talks on new additions to your classroom library or on favorite books, magazines, or graphic novels you want to spotlight