Can Battle of the Books instil a love of reading among K12 students?

Several studies suggest that the number of children who read for pleasure is on the decline.While gadgets such as tablets and smartphones are highly popular in households worldwide, this has not necessarily translated to more reading time. In fact, research suggests the opposite to be true – the more devices a child had access to, the less they read in general.It’s worrying, especially when there are myriad benefits associated with reading.“There is strong evidence that reading for pleasure can increase empathy, improve relationships with others, reduce the symptoms of depression and improve wellbeing throughout life,” said The Reading Agency.“There is already strong evidence to show that reading for pleasure plays a vital role in improving educational outcomes. However, in the UK, most children do not read on a daily basis and almost a third of adults don’t read for pleasure.” So, how can parents and teachers encourage children to read for pleasure? Could an activity like Battle of the Books spark or rekindle a joy for reading?