"I never thought the day would come to me admitting that I enjoy reading. Before senior year I read maybe 5 books throughout my whole life, which I know is shocking. My senior year of high school, I have read around 20 books arleady. I read almonst an hour or two every night at home. Sometimes I forget to do my other school work because I will be way int the book" - Bethany, Grade 12

"When I read Living Dead Girl and Snitch is when I started picking reading over watching Netflix or playing on my phone. I couldn't put those two down. That's definitely what got me hooked." - Allie, Grade 12

"So far I've read eight books. Ball Don't Lie, We Were Here, The Living, Mexican Whiteboy, Homeboyz, Snitch, Street Pharm, and The Absolutely True Diary of a Part Time Indian. To be honest I've read more books this first semester than I've read in my last three years at this school. Every time I finish a book, I feel a sense of accomplishment. I'm actually starting like to read. Back in middle school and part of high school, I hated to read anything, especially reading for fun. By the end of the school year, I want to read at least 20 books" - Luis, Grade 12

"This semester was weird for me. For the first time in my life I actually enjoed reading. The Living by Matt de la Peña was by far the best book I have ever read. I would stay up all night reading because the book kept getting better with every page. The last night, I had 180 pages left. I went up to my bed to read at 8:00 pm. The look on my mom's face when I told her I was going upstairs to read was unforgettable. If It weren't for the book talk Mr. Wilkinson gave about The Living, I never would have wanted to read it." - Ethan, Grade 12

"I've learned that it's not all about how many pages that you read, or how fast you read, but what you take away from teh book and if you enjoy reading it"

"I've noticed that my mood changes when talking and discussing reading. I like it much more now and I'm becoming a very patient reader and a patient person. Before I could never sit and read for more than 20 minutes at a time, now I can read for an hour. I hope to push myself to read longer than that"

"I've learned that no matter how busy life gets, I can always spare at least 10 minutes to read"

"I've learned that reading isn't just about reading. It's also about thinking ... It's really easy to read a book actually, but it takes a growth mindset to think about it and understand it."

"After this class I will continue reading. Reading is good for the mind, and can calm people down. It will make me even more patient than I am now. Reading helps me write as well ... Now that I've been reading more, writing is not a problem for me."

"Mrs. Mashock's classroom library helped me a lot with finding books that respresented me. I've read so many books about people that didn't look like me, and in her library I was able to find and see myself in the books she had." - Ashley

"As her classroom library expanded so did my reading styles, it expanded my thoughts on the world and the way I approach different things in my life." - Kennedy

"I've actually really loved the whole independent reading thing. Before, I had never read a full book by myself. I despised reading. When I saw Matched by Ally Condie on the table and saw what it was about, it interested me. Reading the book was so fun. I love romance. It made me blush and squeal and giggle, It really connected to me. I even cried at the end of the book Ky was arrested. Then I started reading Delirium by Lauren Oliver and that book was amazing. I loved it from beginning to end. I just never would have thought I would love reading so much. Now I have five new books on my bookshelf I made my mom order for me. I will definitely continue reading. I just love the whole thought of it." - Melanie, Grade 11

" I really didn't like books or reading, but once I got into Ms. Kessler's classroom, and saw all the books, I got really interested. There are all kinds of books for me to choose from. I really like that." - Moe'Nai, Grade 11

"Having a large classroom library has been very helpful to me. First off, there is sucha  variety of good books to choose from, so really almost every book you choose is good. Another thing is that these books are relatively new, and not older books." - Layth, Grade 11

"Yes, I think I have grown as a reader. I read more and more everyday. At first I would read only in class; now I read everywhere. I read faster than when I started the trimester. I have expanded my vocabulary and now I think I am more prepared for the ACT." - Malik, Grade 11