By: Kloe Adams

Humor Editor

In kindergarten we were learning to read; first grade we were checking our first books out of the library, second grade we were reading Dr. Seuss, and third grade we opened our first chapter book. Right as we are getting introduced to the endless possibilities of fictional worlds, school compels literature on students which slowly puts a wedge between the books we wanted to read and us. 

Reading is supposed to be a fun, stress-free, and enjoyable activity for people of all ages. School, however, puts deadlines on finishing books and provides little to no choice in the books students get to read. The constant deadlines associated with reading gives it a negative connotation, which kids bring along with them throughout their schooling experience. The genres kids are expected to read can include heavy topics such as racism, sexism, and sexual assault. While I believe that these topics are important to expose to kids, as they can help educate and form children’s worldviews, having to constantly read about all these heavy topics can take a toll on kids. Both the deadlines and limited genres of assigned books contribute to the decline of kids’ love for reading. 

While the reading curriculum at school is important because it teaches about important topics, I think at least once a school year students should be exposed to books that expand past school curriculum. In elementary school, we had book fairs with sections for every type of book, whether it be fantasy, mystery, or nonfiction. To advertise for the event, elementary schools would distribute pamphlets with some of the featured books  and a little excerpt on what it was about. This got kids excited to read as they browsed and circled books that they found new and interesting. I am not sure why we stopped having book fairs, but I think high school is one of the most important times to have them because they provide an escape from the monotony that is school reading. 

As you start to take harder English classes such as AP Language and AP Literature, the reading lists grow and start to include a bigger variety of books that gives students more freedom in their reading curriculum. However, in regular English classes, while some books are taught, minimal book lists are shown to kids, limiting their exposure to different genres. So, while some English classes expand reading lists for students and introduce them to new types of books, they seem to only cater to advanced classes, leaving out kids in regular English classes. If all English classes were to start introducing more books of different genres and varieties to reading lists, I believe it would inspire more students to get back into reading or start reading more.