From Reluctant Reader to Lifelong Learner: Sutairra’s Journey of Transformation
In middle school, Sutairra was an exceptional athlete, excelling in almost every sport.
But when it came to reading, she wasn’t having it.
As an 8th-grade student, she was determined to avoid books, despite her intelligence and hard work in every subject.
She was adamant: reading wasn’t for her.
When she came to me for help, I knew this would be a challenge—one that would require creativity and persistence.
The Turning Point
We started with the basics.
I kept an extensive classroom library and took my students on weekly trips to the school library.
For Sutairra, the goal was simple: find her book.
I introduced her to a variety of books—especially series that I thought might capture her attention.
We had read-alouds, and other students gave book talks, sharing their excitement about their favorite reads.
It took time, but then it happened. Sutairra discovered dystopian fiction.
The Maze Runner series by James Dashner hooked her like nothing else had.
Soon, she was carrying a book everywhere she went, and I knew we’d cracked the code.
From Reluctant Reader to Avid Book Lover
Sutairra’s reading habits transformed overnight.
Other teachers noticed she always had a book with her, and she even got into a bit of trouble for reading during class.
But the true moment of transformation came at our middle school’s Fall Ball.
Sutairra, who absolutely loved dancing, surprised us all when she brought a book with her to the dance.
Yes, the same student who was once so resistant to reading spent most of the night sitting on a bench, devouring her book under the stars.
She danced a bit, but the pull of her book was just too strong.
At that moment I knew this: Sutairra was going to be a lifelong reader.
Sutairra’s Reflection
Sutairra’s journey from reluctant reader to avid book lover didn’t just stop there.
She recently shared her thoughts on how discovering books shaped her life:
"Throughout middle school, I was a reluctant reader. The thought of picking up a book felt like a chore. That all changed when I stumbled upon a fantasy novel that captured my imagination. Suddenly, reading wasn’t just a task; it was an escape. Once I discovered my niche genre, I couldn’t get enough. This pivotal moment turned me from a skeptic into a first-time author, and now as an artist, I carry that creativity with me every day."
Where is She Now?
Today, Sutairra is a talented visual artist.
She continues to read and write as part of her creative process, using those skills to update her social media and promote her artwork.
In just three months, she will be installing her first studio, where she’ll showcase and sell her art.
Sutairra is truly living her dream—a dream that started with discovering the right book.
Final Thoughts
Sutairra’s journey didn’t stop with a newfound love for reading.
In fact, her passion for books sparked something even greater—a love for writing.
By the end of her 8th-grade year, she had already written her first manuscript, inspired by the worlds she’d discovered between the pages.
But that’s a story for next week...
In my next post, we’ll dive into how reading widely and often can transform students into budding writers, just like Sutairra.
Stay tuned to learn how the stories we read can inspire the stories we write!
