Binge Reading

THE BIRTH OF A READER:  Our book talk today started like this:  "My name is _____, and I'm a 'binge-reader'."  (Insert about about a minute of laughter here.)  

In order to completely understand the rest of this story, you must understand this self-admitted reluctant reader whom I will call, 'Mary'.  Even her friends chuckle, "What page of the novel are you on now?"  

Mary's answer: "Two."  

PEER PRESSURE:  Society always talks about the negativity of peer pressure, but in some cases, it can be good!  

Case in point:  This summer, the incoming college prep students were asked to read Veronica Roth's Divergent and participate in a reading event; for those who could not attend, they could select a reading of their choice and complete a project-based assignment of their choice.  

Choosing to avoid an event where reading was the focus, Mary selected to do the project-based assignment.  
    Thank Heaven for Diana Mitchell's "Fifty Alternatives to the Book Report!  
    If you haven't used it with your kids, it's a MUST!

Our reluctant reader...glowing
 because our classroom library 
has the next book in the series.

For the first two months of class, we would listen as Mary talked about her frustration of feeling left out when others gushed over books they read, loved, and lived.  When the class headed to the library for a book to read over Thanksgiving break, Mary caved. After hearing her friends gush on about the series and the movies, she finally chose to give Divergent a try.  

"Mary!" the kids encouraged when they saw her with the novel, "Are you finally deciding to join us?" 

Mary's reluctant smile said it all.  "I'm certainly going to try!"

After break, when the kids asked what page she was on, Mary proudly replied, "I'm on chapter twenty-three!" (Insert about a minute of clapping at this point.)

Today during our book talk/project presentation, four weeks from the date she checked out Divergent, Mary confessed to her new secret obsession:  Reading.  

After admitting to binge-reading so she could find out what happened next, she giggled,"I wish I would have found books earlier!  This is great!"  And then, with a sheepish grin, she asked, "Do you have the next book, Insurgent?"  

I thought her head might explode when I told her that I not only had Insurgent -- I have Allegiant ... AND Four!  ...and her smile stretched from ear to ear.

Mission accomplished.  

Bibiophile created.