Description
Helping striving readers discover books they want to read is one of the most powerful ways to grow confidence, stamina, and engagement.
This resource introduces students to a curated group of funny, compelling, and thoughtful authors whose stories invite curiosity and connection—key ingredients for motivating reluctant or hesitant readers.
Inside this resource, you’ll find flexible author posters and printable cards that spotlight high-interest writers along with their notable books, awards, and quick facts. These materials are designed to make author discovery visible and accessible, encouraging students to explore new titles and develop personal reading preferences. The featured authors represent the voices students frequently request and the writers teachers most often recommend in reading support settings.
Featured authors:
- Kwame Alexander
- Laurie Halse Anderson
- Jerry Craft
- Kate DiCamillo
- Sharon Draper
- Stuart Gibbs
- Chris Grabenstein
- Alan Gratz
- Margaret Peterson Haddix
- Erin Entrada Kelly
- Gordon Korman
- James Patterson
- Gary Paulsen
- Jason Reynolds
- Rick Riordan
- Jerry Spinelli
- Raina Telgemeier
- Kelly Yang
By highlighting authors who write humor, adventure, real-life stories, and meaningful themes, this resource helps students see that reading can be entertaining, relatable, and worth their time. When students recognize themselves in stories—or simply enjoy them—they are far more likely to pick up the next book, strengthening both reading volume and identity as readers.
Why this resource matters for striving readers
- Builds motivation: Engaging authors spark curiosity and lower resistance to reading
- Supports book choice: Students discover genres and topics that match their interests
- Encourages reading identity: Exposure to diverse voices helps students see themselves as readers
- Promotes meaningful conversations: Author facts and quotes create natural entry points for discussion
What’s Included
- 18 detailed author posters in both full color and grayscale
- Flexible printing options so you can create:
- Full-size posters
- Printable author cards
- Mini-posters for small spaces or student notebooks
- Blank author study templates for students to research and showcase additional authors
- Suggested rubric for assessing student author study posters
- Presentation ideas to extend student author studies through speaking or multimedia projects
Classroom possibilities
Use these materials to spark book talks, create an author wall, support library browsing, or launch mini-author studies.
The flexible formats make it easy to integrate into reading workshops, intervention classes, or literacy centers.
If you’re looking for a way to help students connect reading with enjoyment, curiosity, and personal relevance, these author resources make discovering great books simple—and motivating!
