I just finished reading The Book Whisperer, by Donalyn Miller (2009). Donalyn, a teacher, writes about her success hooking kids on reading. She does it by having a great in-class book collection, scheduling reading time every day, and expecting that everyone will read, every day.
The kids chose what they want to read and recommend books to each other, and she recommends books, based on what she knows about each child.
It was a delight to read about her enthusiasm for kids and reading and books, and to hear about her successes nurturing readers. And it gives me hope that a focus on reading for pleasure, and letting kids chose their own books, might reach other kids who are uncomfortable with reading.
Maureen