Professor Jason Witt

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There's nothing better for you-- not broccoli, not an apple a day, not aerobic exercise. In terms of the whole rest of your life, in terms of making you smart in all ways, there's nothing better. Top-ranking scientists are people who read a lot. Top- ranking historians and researchers are people who read a lot. It's like money in the bank in terms of the rest of your life, but it also helps you escape from the rest of your life and live experiencesyou can only dream of. Most important, along with writing, it's the best way I know to find out who you are, what you care about, and what kind of person you want to become. ~ Nancie Atwell, 1998                            

 

My conclusions are simple. When children read for pleasure, when they get hooked on books, they acquire, involuntarily and without conscious effort, nearly all the so-called language skills many people are so concerned about: they will become adequate readers, acquire a large vocabulary, develop a good writing style, and become good (but not necessarily perfect) spellers. Although free voluntary reading alone will not ensure attainment of the highest levels of literacy, it will at least ensure an acceptable level. Without it, I suspect that children simply do not have a chance. -Steven Krashen 1993