10 Easy Ways to Encourage Student Book Recommendations in Your Classroom [Ep. 61] Artwork

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Middle School Café – Strategies & Support for Middle School ELA Teachers

10 Easy Ways to Encourage Student Book Recommendations in Your Classroom [Ep. 61]

September 16, 2025 • Carolyn Wahl - Middle School ELA • Episode 61

Peer recommendations are one of the most effective ways to spark interest in reading. Students are much more likely to pick up a book when a classmate suggests it. In this episode, I share ten practical ways you can bring student voices into your classroom and help create a living TBR list that students will actually use. These ideas make reading feel less like an assignment and more like a community experience.

You don’t need to try all ten ideas at once, just choose one or two that fit your style and your classroom. Whether it’s building a recommendation wall, spotlighting student picks, or weaving in seasonal themes, these strategies will help you strengthen your classroom reading culture and keep students motivated to read all year long.