The love of reading

Every part of the educational process plays an important role in the development of young minds, but unless a student can read, he or she is likely to lag behind or fail in all those other learning experiences. Students who are avid readers -- who not only read a lot but enjoy it -- are likely to be the best students.

There are plenty of youth-oriented activities these days, many of them plugged in or powered by batteries, that compete with reading. And the fact that too many high school graduates cannot read coincides with dropout rates and the failures of so many young adults.

Librarians at Central Middle School in Cape Girardeau, like their counterparts elsewhere, are trying to make reading an option of choice for youngsters rather than pushing reading as a school assignment.

This effort is taking a different approach with the hope that students excited about reading will inspire others to become readers.

A love of books is a definite advantage for anyone at any age. Getting young students to see the world through books is a challenge that is certainly worth the effort.

Schools, public libraries and parents who foster a love of reading are doing a great favor not just for the students whom they reach, but a great favor for society. The more readers there are, the more achievers there will be. And the more successful students are, thanks to their reading skills and interests, the more productive they will be throughout the rest of their lives.

Confucius said, "No matter how busy you may think you are, you must find time for reading, or surrender yourself to self-chosen ignorance." The centuries since he said that have proven him right.