Engaging Middle School Students with Reading

Looking for inspiration? It is a pleasure to welcome back Michelle Davies, librarian at The Hutchins School, with new ideas and strategies to engage middle school students in reading for pleasure. 

Middle school can be a tricky time. Students are growing, changing, and often navigating a whirlwind of emotions and interests. During all that, how do we get them excited about reading?  It’s not only possible it can be fun! Here’s how we work to engage middle schoolers in reading for pleasure.

Structured Wide Reading Sessions 

We have found success in engagement follows a clear, engaging routine to maximise student interest and reading exploration. Typically, our program is structured as follows:

An interactive activity that connects students with books and sparks curiosity. Such as “Mystery Book” 

This fun guessing activity gets students listening closely and thinking critically. Five book covers are displayed on a digital screen, all from the same genre, each numbered one through five. The librarian holds up a physical copy of one of the books but keeps the cover hidden. Then, they read a chapter or short excerpt aloud. As students listen, they try to match the chapter to one of the covers. When the reading ends, each student writes down the number of the book they think it came from. Once all guesses are in, the librarian reveals the correct book. Students who guessed correctly go into a draw to win a sticker for their laptop or water bottle.

It’s simple, engaging, and a great way to introduce new books while building listening and inferencing skills whilst wrapped in a little mystery and fun. 

Or a character exploration exercise such as “Whose Shoes are these?”

This begins with a read-aloud of a carefully chosen book excerpt, one that introduces a character both physically and emotionally. After a brief discussion, students talk about how the character looks, feels, and what the text reveals about them.

Next, in pairs, students are each given a picture of a different pair of shoes, glittery boots, hiking boots, colourful sneakers. From their shoes, they create a character: Who might wear them? Physical appearance How do they feel? Where are they going? Students then share their characters and imagined settings with the group. It’s a fun, creative way to connect physical detail to emotional depth and bring characters to life.

Next, New and recommended books are promoted to keep the reading options fresh and exciting. This could be a book talk, a promotion of new titles, focus on a particular genre, or student-led recommendations. The goal is to introduce books that align with students’ interests and encourage them to pick up something new.

After that, students move into silent independent reading time. This quiet reading period allows them to dive into their chosen books, practice fluency, and build reading stamina. Providing this dedicated time in the schedule shows students that reading is a valued and enjoyable activity.

Finally, students log their reading progress on Beanstack, a digital platform that uses gamification to boost engagement and reward effort with badges and challenges. Readers can check their progress on the challenges and strive for the next award, building a sense of momentum and motivation. We also run a leaderboard competition between classes, where the class with the most reading logs at the end of the term wins a pizza lunch. It’s great to see the excitement build as students track their class’s standing and encourage each other to keep reading. The platform also gives us valuable insights into reading habits, preferences, and progress.

Insights and Observations 

We have found that middle schoolers still love being read aloud to, especially when it’s an engaging story with a dramatic narrator. 

They enjoy stories that reflect their own experiences. Books that feature relatable characters, real-life issues, and strong emotional journeys enabling them to see themselves and the world more clearly.

Choice is powerful. When students are allowed to choose their own books, they’re far more likely to read. We create opportunities for student-led book selection and encourage them to explore different genres until they find what clicks. 

There’s nothing more rewarding than creating space for choice, connection, and celebration, and witnessing the impact as students walk through the door with books in hand.

Michelle Davies

Librarian  (Middle/Senior School)

The Hutchins School

Editor’s note: Take the time to search for 'teaching strategies' on the blog (top left search box) for a range of literature inspired ideas from Michelle and other contributors.

The Power of Science Storybooks: Nurturing Curiosity Through Storytelling

Join Bronwyn, from The Hobart Bookshop, for this week’s post on the power of storytelling to convey scientific information. There is such a wonderful range of narrative non-fiction available as this genre is flourishing with many recent publications.

The art of teaching through gentle storytelling has long been a cherished approach to introducing new ideas to young children. When it comes to complex subjects like science, storybooks offer an especially valuable tool. They provide an imaginative and accessible gateway into topics that might otherwise feel abstract or overwhelming. In recent years, science storybooks have flourished in both quality and quantity, offering a powerful way to nurture children’s natural curiosity about the world around them.

Science storybooks combine factual content with narrative storytelling to help children engage emotionally as well as intellectually. Rather than presenting information in a dry or didactic way, these books weave scientific ideas into captivating stories—inviting young readers to explore, wonder, and ask questions. By doing so, they help to lay the foundation for critical thinking, observation, and a lifelong love of learning.

At the heart of these books are authors who skilfully transform rigorous research and scientific detail into vivid, memorable tales. These storytellers act as interpreters between the world of science and the imaginations of children, distilling complex ideas into stories that are not only informative but also deeply engaging.

One of our favourite authors in this genre is Claire Saxby, a master of combining lyrical language with rich scientific detail. Passionate about fostering curiosity and wonder, Saxby’s books are a celebration of the natural world. Her titles—including Wedge-tailed Eagle, Tree, and Tasmanian Devil—bring Australian ecosystems to life with sensitivity and precision. Her newest title, Volcano illustrated by Jess Racklyeft and published by Allen & Unwin), reveals the surprising fact that more volcanoes erupt beneath the ocean’s surface than on land. It’s a brilliant example of how narrative can make lesser-known scientific facts both accessible and fascinating.

Another beautiful addition to the genre is Hatch (published by CSIRO) by Heidi Cooper Smith, a book that explores the hidden lives of egg-laying animals. With vibrant illustrations and a clear, inviting narrative, Hatch introduces children to the diversity of life and the intricacies of various animal habitats. Cooper Smith’s deep love for animals shines through every page, encouraging young readers to observe, appreciate, and protect the creatures they share the world with.

Lucky’s Star (published by CSIRO), the newest book by award-winning author Mark Greenwood, offers a wonderful blend of science and history. It tells the true story of the Murchison meteorite, which fell from the sky over Victoria in 1969, scattering fragments of space rock across the landscape. This story invites young minds to look up to the stars and wonder what mysteries the universe holds—while grounding the wonder in real, tangible evidence from right here on Earth.

We’re lucky in Tasmania to have our own rich pool of talented science storytellers. Authors such as Christina Booth, Anne Morgan, Fiona Levings, and Johanna Bell (who now calls Tasmania home) continue to explore the connections between our natural environment and the stories we tell about it. Bell’s most recent book, Searching for Treasure (illustrated by Emma Long and published by Allen & Unwin), is a gentle meditation on discovery and delight—celebrating the magic of beachcombing and the hidden treasures left by the tide. It's a perfect example of how everyday experiences can be a doorway to scientific exploration.

Tasmanian authors and illustrators excel in this genre.
These are recent additions from Christina Booth, Fiona Levings and Anne Morgan.

Science storybooks don’t just teach facts—they build a sense of wonder. They help children see that science is not confined to laboratories or textbooks but is all around them. By blending storytelling with scientific exploration, these books empower children to see themselves as part of a living, dynamic world—and to ask, always, what else there is to discover.

 

Bronwyn Chalke 

The Hobart Bookshop 

W: https://www.hobartbookshop.com.au/

FB: https://www.facebook.com/HobartBookshop/ 

X: https://twitter.com/HobartBookshop 

Meet the Gorgeous Giselle

Tasmanian illustrator and artist, Ben Clifford, shares the delights of his latest ventures - from illustrating the lavish and adorable Giselle to his foray into working with children to share his talents and love of a good story.

Richard Turner's Giselle Giraffe, published by Starfish Bay Publishing, tells the story of the long-necked, long-legged and somewhat gangly Giselle. At first full of insecurities about her body image she not only becomes accepting of her size but also learns to recognise its valuable and unique benefits. 

This imaginative story was a delight to illustrate for my fifth picture book. I was given the manuscript with no guidance, allowing freedom to dance with ideas. The illustrations took me over 2 years to complete with my upmost thanks to all staff at Starfish Bay Publishing and author Richard Turner for giving me the time needed. As I progressed with the art work, I came up with treasure hunts and activities to include so there are things to find within the illustrations and a guiding list to help readers investigate the images more closely. I love layers within a story! In creating the setting I gave it a timeless look choosing technology and architecture from no later than early 20th century.

The story finds Giselle entering a chic boutique clothing shop, hoping to cover up her insecurities of body image. 

Failing, she returns to the wilds where she finds her answers elsewhere; shining proudly for what she is by using her unique body parts to help others. 

It has been great fun to start sharing my work with young people. To kick off my school appearances I worked with young families at Sorell Library recently. Giselle Giraffe became the finale of the presentation. Displayed on  a big screen, our overbooked group read through the story with one of many treasure hunts included on each page. It was a delight witnessing families bond over the work, and objecting to turning the page until the treasure hunt item was found! 

We also read through The Wildlife Winter Games - a book that demands that the reader chooses from various creatures to decide who would win when competing in the different Winter Games events. The day included large displays of the illustrations and takeaways I had created. Many thanks to Libraries Tasmania staff for one of the best experiences of my life, and the food! You can view photos of the day.

 

Ben Clifford

Ben was born, raised and works in Tasmania. He began illustrating after living in a nice place with  cuckoos and sparrows in England. Ben was first published in 2017 for Elliott's Rainbow Heart with more titles to follow. When he’s not drawing or writing stories, he likes to help others if they’re sad or happy, scaly, fluffy, furry or feathery.

 

W: www.benclifford.com.au

FB: https://www.facebook.com/ben.clifford.art/ 

I: https://www.instagram.com/bencliffordart/ 

 

Further Suggestions for Book an Adventure

Following on from Felicity’s great blog last week, where she wrote about some of the books she has recently read which fit the 2025 CBCA theme, Maureen Mann follows up with some of her own preferences.

The following titles all contain adventures of some sort. My choices are not limited to the short list or even the notables, but they come from my recent reads. They all fit the theme of Book an Adventure

Turtle Moon by Hannah Gold

Silver Trevelon’s father is offered a job as an artist at a turtle rescue centre in Costa Rica. Silver is really excited, but Mum unwillingly accompanies them, even though her qualifications as a vet will be useful. The reader learns that Silver’s parents are stressed by fertility issues; Silver believes she, as a person, is not enough to satisfy them. But the jungle and the volunteers at the rescue centre weave their magic. Silver and her new friend Rafi (and his sloth) have great adventures including watching a leatherback turtle lay her eggs and chasing turtle pirates. This is a great adventure, but the book offers much more.

Birdy by Sharon Kernot

This verse-novel, shortlisted for the CBCA Book of the Year Older Readers, was better than I expected. It’s a subtle mental adventure, rather than a physical one.  Maddy is a situational mute, traumatised by a bad decision which was publicised on social media. She and her family of Mum and younger brother Charlie move to a small country town where Levi helps her learn to trust people again, and in turn Maddy’s friendship with Alice brings the latter out of reclusiveness and depression. Friendship and nature create a wonderful healing environment. 

Millie Fleur’s Poison Garden by Christy Mandin 

This is a picture book but not necessarily for the youngest readers. Millie Fleur creates a new garden when she and her mother move to Garden Glen which has strict rules for what is grown and how each garden looks, even though their house doesn’t have the same fit. The adventure in this book comes from Christy Mandin’s weirdly created flora and the slow change in the community, a move away from conformity to acceptance of the unexpected and different, that Millie Fleur eventually brings to Garden Glen. 

Cobweb by Michael Morpurgo 

This book is a historical adventure from the perspective of Cobweb, a Welsh Corgi, during the Napoleonic war. Cobweb is taken from his beloved Bethan on the farm, to become a drover’s dog, taught by Goodlad the older droving dog, guiding cattle and sheep to market in London. Once the animals are sold, Cobweb and Goodlad are sent to find their own way home, and end up accompanied by a French drummer boy escaping from the dramas of war. 

To Stir with Love by Kate Mildenhall and Jess Racklyeft

What a simple Monday adventure in the kitchen with Grandma and the narrator. There are many touches of naivety from the young narrator who is not named, but the strength of their loving relationship is never in doubt. The process of making Grandma’s everything cake (complete with recipe at the end) is detailed. I loved the comparisons. Grandma is older than computers! The repeated refrain is My little hand and Grandma’s old hand, wrinkled and sure. Racklyeft’s watercolour illustrations bring the simple but lyrical text alive. It is listed in the CBCA Notable Children’s Books 2025 but didn’t make the shortlist. 

Do you have other titles you’d recommend for Book an Adventure?

Maureen Mann

Retired teacher librarian and avid reader