When Springfield High School Language Arts teacher Allison Sharpe asked her students to write a simple but powerful prompt — “Write a letter to reading” — she wasn’t expecting the flood of heartfelt, witty, and deeply personal responses that followed.

Students’ letters ranged from love notes to apologies, from rekindled friendships to cautious second chances. Together, they revealed the complicated, often evolving relationship young people have with books and literacy.

“Dear Reading, You taught me to take in life and appreciate it before you can’t,” wrote Bishop, while Jazmine reflected, “You opened my eyes to experiences and scenarios I have never considered and even taught me things that help me build my own character.”

Some letters brimmed with nostalgia:

• “The older I get, the more I seem to miss us.” – Kiernan
• “Now that I am older and a touch more mature, I realize that you are so valuable and fun… it almost feels nostalgic.” – Rogan

Others sounded like new beginnings:

• “Please accept this apology and let’s start new.” – Jordan
• “Maybe our relationship will grow, maybe it won’t, but I’m willing to give it a second chance.” – Keaona
• “I will find a way to come back to you.” – Vincent

And some read like poetry:

• “I listen to your audiobooks like a verse from the podium.” – MJ
• “You take effort. I was lazy. I’m ready for you now… A glimpse of light has shown through – a stitch gone loose. Be patient with me.” – Gregory

Sharpe said the exercise wasn’t just about creative writing — it was about inviting students to reflect on their personal connections with reading at a time when Springfield High is making literacy a schoolwide focus.

This year, the school’s literacy goal is clear: Students will demonstrate increased reading stamina across content areas with a goal of increasing test scores. With the new cell phone ban creating fewer distractions, teachers are reclaiming classroom space for reading. Many now encourage students to pick up a book after finishing assignments — giving them more time to read for pleasure and growth.

As one student wrote simply, “Dear Reading, Thank you for always being there for me.”

Sharpe sees exercises like this as a bridge to those bigger goals: “When students see reading as something personal and powerful — not just an assignment — that’s when literacy becomes real. That’s when growth happens.”

At Springfield High, reading is no longer just a skill. It’s a relationship worth nurturing.