Educators worldwide are always searching for innovative ways they can make reading more engaging for students. By keeping students interested and motivated, they can more effectively nurture academic growth.
You might ask yourself, “How can I get my students to enjoy reading, not just skim or read summaries?” The struggle continues. Educators know that reading engagement levels decline as students age. Research from the Scholastic Kids & Family Reading Report shows this decline is a significant challenge, often making reading feel like a chore as students advance in grade.
Educators already know that finding ways to make real-life connections to classwork is the game-changer. What kills motivation is the lack of time or resources to consistently deliver the connection and relevance that students desire.
3 Ways Author Talks Drive Reading Engagement
Is there an educational tool that would help?
This leads us to answering the big question: How can educators make reading more engaging for students?
The answer is simple. BookBreak is the tool that efficiently and consistently delivers the necessary engagement, motivation, and inspiration to students.
1. Author talks are fun and engaging
Humans are wired to crave novelty. Our virtual author talks tap directly into this fundamental drive. Because the talks are unique, event-based experiences, they capture and boost student attention immediately, releasing feel-good chemicals that spark excitement and make learning feel vibrant. The authors introduce a new, respected perspective that is distinct from that of teachers and parents. This fresh experience is a welcomed break from traditional reading assignments.
2. Author talks bring meaningful representation in the classroom
Connecting with students is key. Author talks are one of the most powerful ways to connect, especially when students see someone who looks just like them or has grown up just like them. This makes the content of the author and the book incredibly relevant to your students.
Whether they share their background, struggle, or perspective, this organic connection boosts interest in a way that forcing a link to a book with no relevance simply can’t achieve. Interest is not just a feeling – it’s a prerequisite for critical thinking skills, standardized test score improvements, and higher graduation rates.
Representation is critical to learning. According to research by the Education Trust, student exposure to diverse representational material in the classroom correlates with increased engagement. This enhanced engagement, in turn, is linked to higher metrics in course completion, school attendance, and graduation rates. The report also indicates that these students who experienced diversity of representation in classwork show improved self-esteem, overall well-being, and appreciation for cultural diversity (Education Trust, 2023).
3. Author talks increase student reading engagement with backstories
Students love the idea of being an insider. They get the exclusive, behind-the-scenes details they wouldn’t otherwise know. This direct connection with the author builds a stronger relationship with the book, whether you’re introducing the text or concluding the reading unit.
Hearing about the author’s process, research, challenges, and inspiration helps students see how ideas plus hard work become something extraordinary. It shifts the focus from “What is the answer” to a far more interesting question, “How was this made? Why was this made?”.
This promotes curiosity, fostering long-term reading interest, which leads to productive reading habits that are sustainable. Personal connections are critical to help students enjoy reading and writing more. And who knows? Maybe one of your students will be so inspired that they choose a career in writing!
The Difference of BookBreak
What educational tools can deliver engagement, motivation, and inspiration?
BookBreak is the tool that efficiently and consistently delivers engagement, motivation, and inspiration. We provide a path to help make students genuinely interested in reading, not just doing the homework.
We stack up to traditional classroom activities by offering an inspiring, engaging, and personal connection to the story. We stand out because our program is curated by educators for educators, providing unique access to bestselling authors who highlight the impact of connecting with readers and writers at a young age. With author talks from kindergarten through 12th grade, our BookBreak team integrates individual talks into grade-level pacing guides that complement the themes/units taught in the ELA and other curriculums.
See first-hand some BookBreak author talks and see how we inspire students to become genuinely interested in reading and writing here.
Stay Tuned…