Reader Profile Series: 'I Hate Reading'

This is the third in a series of interviews with Middle School readers. I took on this interview project because I wanted to showcase some of the different reader profiles that I encounter every day in the Middle School library. I will post a new interview in a blog post each week. Some of the interviewees will be self-identified "readers," but others will be non-readers. I won't identify the interviewees here by name. Instead, I'll offer a profile that describes them.

These interviews are intended to offer a small glimpse into the way that kids think about reading.

This week's interview is particularly interesting because it's a conversation with the first student in this profile series who has never identified as a reader. These type of students are the hardest for librarians and teachers to reach because we must find a way to get them to connect with books for the very first time.

Ironically enough, despite her insistence that she has always hated reading, this week's interviewee spends quite a bit of time in the library every day. (This begs all kinds of questions about the purpose of libraries, library services, the library as a place, and the social aspects of reading.)

And because every story should have a happy ending, I will also share that, 5 minutes after finishing her interview, the interviewee saw me putting stickers on a new book and begged me to let her see it. She was really excited because the book, an informational book about pirates for middle grade students, had all kinds of pictures and interactive features, like treasure maps and letters that could be opened. She spent the rest of the time until the bell rang looking at the book and opening up all the envelopes and pop-up features.

With graphic novels and visually engaging non-fiction becoming increasingly accessible for students and libraries, maybe there's hope that we'll make a reader out of her yet!

(This week's interview is included below.)

READER PROFILE:

GENDER: Female
GRADE LEVEL: 7
READER STATUS: Non-reader

Do you consider yourself to be a reader?

No. It’s boring.

Did you ever consider yourself to be a reader?

No.

What’s your first memory of hating reading?

I guess when I was little I never liked it. It’s so boring. I just don’t like sitting there and reading a book. I’d rather be doing more stuff.

How often do you read?

Only when I have to, like when we read books for school.

What is your favorite book?

I think I remember this book that I’ve always loved. I think it’s called Pals? I’m not sure. It was sweet, and it was about dogs and cats.

Where is your favorite place to read?

On the couch.

Paper, or e-reading?

Paper.

Image credit:
"Man Avatar Head Body Circle Sketch Drawing." Pixabay. Pixabay, n.d. Web. 24 Jan. 2013. <https://pixabay.com/en/man-avatar-head-body-circle-39087/>.