Unpacking what recent national data tells us about student reading habits, how we unintentionally created a culture of "readicide" in our schools, and most importantly, how small, deliberate shifts—like bringing back dedicated choice reading time and protecting school libraries—can completely turn the tide

Links:

Follow me on social to stay connected, share ideas, and ask questions!

Facebook: @emilyg143

Twitter: @EmilyGolightly3

Instagram: @sorryimallbookedwithemilyg or @egolightlyLinktree

References:

Gallagher, K., & Allington, R. L. (2023). Readicide: How schools are killing reading and what you can do about it. Routledge.

Miller, D., & Anderson, J. (2013). The book whisperer: Awakening the inner reader in every child. Jossey-Bass.

Miller, D., Kelley, S., & Lesesne, T. S. (2014). Reading in the wild: The book whisperer’s keys to cultivating lifelong reading habits. Jossey-Bass.

Mowreader, A. (2026, June 10). Reading for pleasure sharply down among Schoolkids, Education Department report shows. NBCNews.com. https://www.nbcnews.com/data-graphics/kids-reading-less-lower-levels-department-education-study-rcna348987

National Center for Education Statistics. (n.d.). NAEP long-term trend assessment results:reading and mathematics. The Nation’s Report Card. https://www.nationsreportcard.gov/ltt/2025/

Today’s episode is all about celebrating Banned Books Week.  I will also review one of my latest reads, and then we’ll get a little sneak peak into a future episode. Happy listening!

Links:

Twitter/X: ⁠@EmilyGolightly3⁠

Instagram: ⁠@sorryimallbookedwithemilyg⁠ or ⁠@egolightly⁠⁠Linktree⁠

Follow the American Library Association here:

Website: https://www.ala.org/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AmericanLibraryAssociation

Twitter/X: @ALALibrary

Instagram: @americanlibraryassociation

Information on Banned Books Week (from the ALA website):

Levar Burton will headline a live virtual conversation with Banned Books Week Youth Honorary Chair Da’Taeveyon Daniels about censorship and advocacy at 8:00 p.m. ET on Wednesday, October 4. The event will stream live on Instagram (@banned_books_week). Visit BannedBooksWeek.org for more details.

Saturday, October 7, will mark Let Freedom Read Day, a day of action against censorship. From calling decision-makers to checking out or buying banned books to writing letters and more, everyone is encouraged to do at least one thing to defend the right to read and to speak on behalf of those who ensure access to information. For information about ways to participate and resources, visit bannedbooksweek.org/let-freedom-read-day/.

Book Ban Data

The Library Bill of Rights

We Need Diverse Books

For more info:

Betsy Gomez

Coordinator

Banned Books Week Coalition

[email protected]

If you would like to help support the podcast and the creation of future episodes, you can ⁠click here⁠! Thanks for your support!

Today’s episode is all about the read aloud, and I will be chatting with a special guest, Lauren Simmons, about ways to engage our littlest learners.  I will also review one of my latest reads, and then we’ll get a little sneak peak into a future episode. Happy listening!

Links:

Follow Lauren on Instagram: @beachgirlfarmworld

Follow Author/Speaker Lester Laminack on Twitter for more great read aloud recommendations: @lester_laminack

Check out these resources for making your read alouds more interactive:

If you would like to help support the podcast and the creation of future episodes, you can click here! Thanks for your support!

Today’s episode is all about gifts for bookworms, both adults and kids alike.  I will also review one of my latest reads, and then we’ll get a little sneak peak into a future episode. Happy listening!

Links:

Article:

Ideal Bookshelf

In this episode, I interview Julie Stivers as we discuss equity, book fairs, and ways to make book fairs more equitable through her idea of having a #TrueBookFair where students receive books for FREE. I really enjoyed this interview, and I hope you'll check it out!

Links:

Follow Julie Stivers at @BespokeLib on Twitter and @mvlibraryreads on IG

Children’s Rights to Read www.rightstoread.org

Article About Julie Stivers: https://sils.unc.edu/news/Stivers-Award-2022

Article About #TrueBookFairs: https://americanlibrariesmagazine.org/blogs/the-scoop/116407/ Dankowski, T. (Ed.). (2020, June 24). Ridding schools of reading trauma. American Libraries Magazine. Retrieved December 7, 2022, from https://americanlibrariesmagazine.org/blogs/the-scoop/116407/

Link to purchase Julie's book from the American Library Association

What is Julie reading that she recommends?

The Life and Crimes of Hoodie Rosen by Isaac Blum

Fame: Bad Bunny by Eric Esquivel and Amanda del Cid Lugo (graphic novel)

In this episode, I’m going to be talking about what educators can learn from bookstores and public libraries about creating a welcoming space for their students or patrons.  I’m going to review a book I just read that I’m really excited about, and we will answer a listener question about readers' advisory tools. The links below are all related to show content that I hope you will find helpful.

**Apologies in advance for the playback speed in the intro and outro--I'm still working out the kinks and appreciate your understanding!**

Links:

Library of Congress

Kid Citizen

BookPeople Website

Bookmarks Website

The Salt Lake City Public Library System

Salt Lake City Public Library’s Creative Lab

OBA–Amsterdam Public Library

OBA’s Instagram Page

House of All Languages (part of Amsterdam Public Library)

De Achtsprong (School)

Information about Donna Barbra Higuera:

Donna’s Author Site

Article About Donna Winning the Newbery and Pura Belpre Award for The Last Cuentista

Book Ordering Information

Readers’ Advisory Tools:

Goodreads

What Should I Read Next?

Amazon

Library Thing

Literature Map

The Book Wrangler’s Read-Alike “What Should I Read Next” menus

Instagram, TikTok, Twitter (using hashtags such as #BookTok or #bookstagram

In this episode, I will chat with Stacy Hersey, the NC School Library Media Association's Director of Book Programs, including the elementary, middle, and high school Battle of the Books.

If you have questions or ideas for future episodes, please email me or send me a message on Twitter.

[email protected]

Twitter: @EmilyGolightly3

linktr.ee/golightlyinthelibrary

Instagram: @sorryimallbookedwithemilyg

Links to Topics Discussed in This Podcast: NC School Library Media Association

Stacy Hersey (Twitter/Email)

battlequestions.com

mybobteam.com

NCSLMA BOB Presentation Slides and YouTube Video Preesentation

In this episode, we'll chat about the conference I recently attended. I will review several books I've read recently, The Light Pirate by Lily Brooks-Dalton (publish date: December 6, 2022) and Your School is the Best! by Maggie Hutchings and Felicita Sala, and I will address listener questions.

If you have questions or ideas for future episodes, please email me or send me a message on Twitter.

[email protected]

Twitter: @EmilyGolightly3

linktr.ee/golightlyinthelibrary

Instagram: @sorryimallbookedwithemilyg

Links to Topics Discussed in This Podcast: NC School Library Media Association

Beanstack

Donalyn Miller's 40-Book Challenge

Colby Sharp and the Nerdy Book Club

I'm Emily Golightly, a librarian, avid reader, and advocate for diverse books for diverse kids. Our first episode is a bit of a roadmap for the podcast, setting the tone for what is to come.