The five pillars
Pillar 1: Choice (they pick what they read)
Mandatory class novels are fine, but build in choice too. "You're reading a graphic novel, your mate's reading a fantasy epic, that kid's reading TikTok essays." Different genres, different formats, same respect. You can teach inference and theme with any well-written text.
Pillar 2: Time (regular, protected reading time in class)
15 minutes every Friday to read whatever you want. No phones, no hiding. Everyone's reading, including you. Model it. That normalizes reading as a thing adults do, not just kids.
Pillar 3: Talk (discussing books without interrogating)
Not "What happened on page 47?" but "What would you do in that situation?" "Which character annoyed you most?" "Did the ending work for you?" Genuine conversation, not comprehension checks.
Pillar 4: Visibility (books are everywhere)
Colourful posters about books you love. A "teacher TBR" (to-be-read) stack on your desk. Student recommendations written on a whiteboard. Make reading visible as a cultural thing your room does.
Pillar 5: Relevance (books about real stuff that matters)
Contemporary YA about identity, climate, justice. Graphic novels. True crime podcasts transcribed. Poetry about footy. Magazines about anime. Meet kids where they are. Reading culture means all kinds of reading, not just literary fiction.
