Teacher despairs over student disinterest in BOOKS

[ " None of this would surprise modern classroom teachers, who can attest that the ubiquitous presence of cellphones and other devices in the lives of students is a zeitgeist-defining development that has fundamentally altered the American classroom. Students are perpetually, almost manically, distracted in class and at home. The ability to focus on a single task -- studying, taking notes and, yes, reading a book -- has largely been lost. " ] [ For almost two decades I loved recommending books to students depending on their particular interests or the problems they shared with me. Experiencing teenage angst? Read Viktor Frankl's "Man's Search for Meaning." Having trouble figuring out what to do with your life? Read Tolstoy's "The Death of Ivan Ilych." Does life feel debilitatingly unfair? Read early 6th century philosopher Boethius' "The Consolation of Philosophy." ] Opinion: Why my high school students don't read any more DETROITNEWS.COM Opinion: Why my high school students don't read any more "The belief that reading both enlarges and enlivens life itself has largely vanished from the lives of my young students."