While teachers often encourage students to pick up a book, many kids at our school say reading just isn’t fun, and they’d rather scroll on their phones than sit down and read.
Our school offers numerous opportunities for students to read, including a library stocked with new titles, classroom reading time, and book clubs. Still, many admit they’re not interested. Instead of picking up a novel, they often turn to their phones, sports, or other activities, leaving books untouched.
Librarian Stephanie Hatley has noticed the trend.
“Students would rather play games or watch videos online about things they’re interested in than read books,” Hatley said. “However, I still see kids reading books. If you want to read, you just need to make the time.”
Some students agree with Hatley’s insight. Freshman Avi Govshteyn agrees that technology consumes most of students’ time, but he views books as a valuable respite.
“I enjoy reading for pleasure and for school,” Govshteyn said. “I always seem to find myself using the internet or my computer for school, and reading is a way for me to get a break from it all.”
But Govshteyn’s perspective isn’t universal. Junior Lev Sherman said reading feels more like work than fun.
“I don’t enjoy reading because it feels like a chore,” Sherman said. “Reading for class is boring because it feels like I’m being forced to read, and I don’t read at home because I would rather scroll on TikTok. It’s just easier.”
English teacher Brody Lipton, who teaches juniors and seniors, says he once felt the same way.
“When I was in high school, I hated reading,” Lipton said. “I wasn’t connecting with the books I was given, and I certainly didn’t like being compelled to read.”
That changed in graduate school when he read The Catcher in the Rye in one sitting.
“The whole reading experience just opened up to me,” he said. Now, he sees books as both “mirrors” that reflect our own lives and “windows” into others.
“Everyone enjoys reading,” Lipton said. “They just need to find the book that sets their mind on fire.”
