Booking It
Discover the most loved young adult books
By Sienna Eshleman and Kayla Ferguson
I had the honor of interviewing our librarian, Mr. Goerner, in order to get his perspective on teen literature and the importance of reading in this day of age.
“What is the importance of reading at this age?”
“I think it builds the skills and the foundation to be a lifelong reader. If you can find a text that you really enjoy and like, it sets the seas for having that yearning that carries beyond high school. It builds vocabulary, helps with prediction, brings experiences outside of what they normally might be exposed to. Maybe the biggest thing is that it broadens your perspective and viewpoint, and that is really huge. I think we all have our bias, and reading can really help keep us open for more broad situations.”
“How has reading inspired you?”
“Books are really critical in helping me think ‘okay, I’m just this old white man” and what am I doing in my place of life. So, for me, I get a book and it changes me. When I read a book like The Hate You Give it really gives me a view into how race is perceived and how it may affect the everyday lives of the people around us, it is such a moving text.”
“What advice do you have for teens that are interested in becoming involved in reading?”
“Read a lot. I always felt that if you could find the right book, then you can unravel a love for reading. Just finding something you’re really passionate about and being able to talk to someone about it and tell the story of it. Also, the brain is like a muscle, you can get out of practice. So, once you get hooked, continue to read as much as you can.”