Did you know that in ’04 reading is cool?  You might be saying, “yeah, whatever.”  Really, if you think reading’s not cool, then you’re not with it.  Teens all over the country just rated reading as the most important skill a person needs to be successful in life.  Knowing math and being a good writer came in second and third, but reading topped the list of what’s going to put you ahead of the game.  If you’ve always hated reading, or never felt real comfortable picking up a book, give it another try.  Instead of reading things you know everything about and getting bored, try picking up a book on a topic you know nothing about.  You may find that the guy, who made it to the top of one of the cruelest mountains, buried his friend along the way, or Lady Guenivere’s love affairs with the Knights of the Round Table, will keep you turning pages far into the night.

Find a favorite reading spot.  It could be your front porch, the stuffed chair in the hallway, or your bed late at night.  The more you read there, the more it’ll feel like a retreat.  It will be a great place to escape from things like brothers, sisters, parents, and even friends you need a break from.  Once you get comfortable reading, it’ll take you places you never imagined.  Not only can it land you at the top of a mountain and in the forests of Nottingham, it can land you in a good college and in your future job. Knowledge is power!