Entering Dangerous Waters:

The statistics are alarming:

• Nearly 1 in 3 middle schoolers in the United States no longer read for pleasure.
• Over 40% of high school seniors haven’t read a single book for fun in the past year.
•  Early enthusiasm for reading is fading, even among younger elementary students.
• Literature reading (including novels, poetry, and drama) has dropped from 45.2% in 2012 to 37.6% in 2022, an all-time low!

Video games provide colorful, fast-paced content that’s easy for kids to digest.

Social media offers instant feedback and dynamic ways to communicate, unlike

traditional books.

Classical literature, such as Romeo and Juliet or King Lear, no longer resonates with

many students—they struggle to relate to outdated themes and language.

Busy parents often lack time to read with their children, focusing on careers and

personal wellness.

The rise of AI has made its way into classrooms—undermining students’ writing and

critical thinking skills.