Category: Author Visits
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How to Implement a Culture of Reading in Your School: A Step-by-Step Guide
You’ve decided this is the year to implement a Culture of Reading because you know why reading for pleasure matters. You’ve seen the research, you’ve felt the urgency, and you’ve probably had the conversation about declining reading scores more times than you can count. But knowing why your school needs to implement a Culture of…
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K-12 Virtual Author Talk Line Up for Fall 2026
Welcome back to another exciting school year! BookBreak’s virtual author talk program is back this fall with an exciting lineup of authors who will empower and engage your students. And that is not all! We are also launching our Culture of Reading platform. It has everything you’ll need to make the shift needed to become…
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How Do Live Author Events Improve Student Writing Skills?
When it comes to improving student writing, conversations often center on grammar drills and five-paragraph essay templates. But the 2024 Nation’s Report Card shows a third of eighth graders are not even reading at the NAEP Basic level, a decline tied closely to broader literacy struggles nationwide. A 2019 National Literacy Trust study found something…
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What Reading Programs Show Measurable Impact on Student Engagement?
PISA and PIRLS data consistently show that students who enjoy reading outperform those who do not, across every country measured. Yet a 2024 review in Language and Education found that only 29% of students in England reported liking reading, against an international median of 46%, and the number of students reading for enjoyment has declined…
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What Are the Best Tools for a School-Wide Reading Challenge?
A school-wide reading challenge is one of the highest-impact things a librarian or principal can put on the calendar. According to Joyful Reading’s own engagement data, challenges with two to six reward benchmarks generate 51% average reader participation and 21 minutes of daily reading logged. And John Hattie’s Visible Learning meta-analysis (2023) identifies engaging, community-driven…
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How Can I Help Elementary Students Talk About Books?
Building reading stamina and comprehension in elementary school is deeply rooted in motivation. Research from the reading engagement model explains that when students set goals, value reading, and believe in themselves as readers, they more willingly engage in reading activities. Simply tracking minutes is rarely enough. To help students truly engage, educators should focus on…
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Behind the Scenes: How We Build an Engaging Virtual Author Visit
BookBreak may look effortless, but there is a lot going on behind the scenes of every virtual author visit. Our hosts make each session feel like a natural conversation, and students often experience it as a simple, engaging exchange with an author. However, that ease comes from thoughtful planning, intentional design, and a deep commitment…
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How Can I Support Reading Engagement for High Schoolers?
High school marks a critical juncture where academic demands intensify while recreational reading often declines. Research indicates that students who engage in regular reading are significantly more likely to graduate on time. The ALA highlights that robust school library programs do more than house books; they are proven engines for academic success. Research shows students…
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What Helps High School Students Fall in Love with Reading?
Reigniting a passion for literacy in high school students requires moving beyond basic decoding toward sustained engagement with complex texts. This shift is more urgent than ever: NAEP’s 2024 Grade 12 Reading results show a significant decline in performance, with only 35% of seniors reaching reading levels associated with college readiness. When students are not…
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What Helps Middle School Students Fall in Love with Reading?
The transition from learning to read to reading to learn is a critical juncture for middle schoolers. Research from the National Center for Education Statistics indicates that students who read for fun daily score significantly higher on standardized tests than those who do not. However, engagement often dips during the middle school years. According to…