Why is it so hard to read assigned books?

     So much time has been spent with kids over the last 20 years. One thing learned is that students, no matter what the age, put the brakes on when assigned reading. When given the opportunity to choose books and with the right guidance students are more motivated to read. Why do some teachers feel the need to assign the same books year after year? Reading Shiloh for instance isn't going to reach many readers in today's fast paced world. Yes, it will be a great read for some but doesn't that leave the rest of the kids starving for more and bored with reading? The students seem to have the same reaction to the old assigned books. They are out of touch with the times and don't speak to today's students.

     So why don't more teachers employ this idea. Honestly once the school year starts it is so difficult to find a balance between reading and correcting papers, making lesson plans, meetings, home life and the pesky little things that pop up on a daily basis. Teachers tend to stick with what they know and have little time to discover the newest authors, genres and stories. Imagine professional development where teachers had an opportunity to read and brush up on the latest and greatest in the literary world.

      With budget cuts this is just not a reality. One way teachers can keep up with the ever changing literary world is to join Twitter and connect with authors, librarians and teachers from around the country. They need to keep their thumb on the pulse of the latest literary trends to open conversations with students. To get started with this idea here are a few authors of today that students love: Kwame Alexander, Lynda Mullaly Hunt, Rick Riordan, Victoria Jamieson, Cece Bell, Dan Santat, Kazu Kabuishi and Jennifer Holm.