Having always been in the G/T program, my daughter was excited about all the things the new school's G/T program offered. Part of this program was Battle of the Books. Students were required to read a certain number of books for this program (in addition to the reading requirement for their reading class). Here lies the problem. Students were being required to read books they were not interested in. At the end of the first nine weeks, my daughter made the choice to drop out of the G/T program because she was being forced to read books that did not interest her.
When students, especially at a younger age, are forced to read books they are not interested in, they begin to loose interest in reading. They begin to see reading as a chore or homework instead of reading for pleasure. When students are given a choice in what to read they will read more, they will enjoy reading, and they will read just because! They will begin seeking out books to read instead of waiting for book assignments.
Students should be allowed to dislike a book. They should be allowed to abandon a book if they choose to do so. And they should not be made to feel guilty about it.
It's disappointing when a student misses out on a wonderful opportunity because they are being forced to read books they are not interested in. Once you turn a child away from reading it is hard to reel them back in.
Give them choices, lots of choices!
"Becoming a Classroom of Readers"
http://www.ascd.org/publications/educational-leadership/mar10/vol67/num06/Becoming-a-Classroom-of-Readers.aspx
"Top 5 Reasons To Let Kids Choose Their Own Books"
https://nerdybookclub.wordpress.com/2012/04/21/top-5-reasons-to-let-kids-choose-their-own-books-2/
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