Why Johnny Can’t Read—and Why It Matters More Than Ever

by Alexander Tidd

Once upon a time, kids devoured books like candy. Libraries were after-school sanctuaries, and summer reading challenges sparked fierce sibling rivalries (or maybe that was just in my house). But somewhere along the way—between screen time and standardized testing, social media and the short attention spans it breeds—reading took a backseat. And now, we’ve got a problem.

A big one.

Children today are struggling with reading and reading comprehension across the board. We're not just talking about confusing a b for a d—we’re talking about kids who can’t follow the plot of a short story, don’t know how to infer meaning, and give up when a paragraph gets “too long.” And no, it's not because kids suddenly got lazy or less capable. It's because our current environment doesn’t exactly encourage quiet contemplation and deep thinking.

Let’s dive into why this is happening, why it matters more than ever, and what we can do to help the next generation fall in love with reading again—not just because it’s good for them, but because it’s awesome.

The Alarming State of Reading Today

Let’s start with the not-so-fun facts. In the latest assessments from organizations like NAEP (the National Assessment of Educational Progress), reading scores have declined significantly across multiple grade levels. And the pandemic didn’t help—remote learning was a major disruptor, especially for early readers who missed out on foundational phonics, fluency practice, and those magical “aha!” moments when a jumble of letters becomes a meaningful word.

Worse still, middle and high school students are showing signs of what some educators call "surface reading." They can decode the words, sure, but when you ask, “What was the main idea?” or “Why do you think the character did that?”—you’re met with blank stares or, “I dunno. It was boring.”

Reading isn’t just about decoding text. It’s about understanding nuance, drawing conclusions, and developing empathy. And when those skills erode, it’s not just a school issue—it becomes a life issue.

Here’s where we get serious for a minute: reading comprehension is one of the most critical skills a human can develop. Why? Because it’s the foundation of critical thinking.

When kids read a story and try to figure out why the villain turned evil, or whether the hero made the right choice, they’re analyzing behavior, weighing motives, making connections. That’s not just useful in English class—that’s useful when navigating the workplace, voting in elections, deciding whether to trust information online, or choosing friends.

Reading also expands vocabulary, improves writing, and strengthens the imagination. It builds attention span. It helps kids understand people who don’t look like them or live like them. It’s empathy, in paperback form.

In short: kids who can read well, think well.

Let’s not blame the kids here. They’re growing up in a digital world that delivers constant dopamine hits every 15 seconds. Why slog through 300 pages when TikTok has a recap in 60 seconds?

There’s also the issue of over-scheduled lives. Between sports, homework, and extracurriculars, reading for fun often gets pushed to the back burner. And let’s not ignore how often schools turn reading into a chore, with color-coded reading levels and comprehension worksheets that feel more like punishment than pleasure.

Then there’s the content problem. If a kid only ever gets assigned books written a century ago about horses and dusty orphans (no shade to Black Beauty), they might not realize that books can be hilarious, magical, spooky, or full of dragons, spaceships, or talking waffles.

Solutions: How We Get Kids Hooked on Books Again

So how do we fix this? How do we bring back the joy of reading—not as an obligation, but as something kids actually want to do?

Here are a few ideas, some tested, some inspired by sheer desperation and bookworm passion.

1. Let Them Choose

This cannot be overstated. Kids are way more likely to read if they get to pick the book. Graphic novels? Yes. Audiobooks? Sure. Books about Minecraft? Go for it. Once reading becomes a pleasure instead of a prescription, it transforms. A reluctant reader might devour a whole series if it’s about something they love. That counts. It all counts.

2. Model the Behavior

Kids emulate what they see. If the adults in their lives are scrolling TikTok at every stoplight, reading won’t seem like a normal thing. But if they see parents and teachers curled up with a novel, chuckling over a comic, or reading the newspaper on Sundays? That makes a mark.

Reading shouldn’t be treated like spinach. It should be like pizza. Something we all enjoy together.

3. Make It Social

Book clubs aren’t just for wine moms and Oprah. Create kid-friendly book clubs where the goal isn’t analysis, but connection. Think: themed snacks, goofy games, costume days based on characters. If reading comes with friendship and fun, kids will line up for the next chapter.

Also: reading aloud never goes out of style. Kids of all ages—even teens—still enjoy being read to. Try a family read-aloud night. Pop popcorn. Do the voices.

4. Redefine “Reading”

We need to broaden our definition of what counts. Graphic novels, comics, magazines, fanfiction, blogs—if a kid is engaged, comprehending, and coming back for more, that’s reading.

There’s no trophy for finishing Moby Dick in sixth grade. There is tremendous benefit in loving what you read.

5. Equip Teachers and Librarians

Support for school libraries is critical. A well-funded library with a passionate librarian can change a kid’s life. So can teachers who get creative with how they assign reading—not just asking kids to dissect a novel, but to respond to it, recreate it, write their own endings.

If the goal is to foster love and curiosity, then the assignments need to feel alive.

The Happy Ending? It's Possible.

The reading crisis isn’t unsolvable. In fact, it’s one of the few modern crises that comes with an incredibly fun solution: stories. The more we surround kids with great books, the more likely they are to dive in. The more we talk to them about what they’re reading, the more they connect. And the more we celebrate reading as a joyful, human thing—not a test score—the more they’ll grow into thoughtful, curious, empathetic adults.

So let’s build a culture where books are cool again. Where kids brag about how many chapters they’ve read, not how many likes they got. Where bedtime stories, library trips, and “just one more chapter” are everyday magic.

Because in a world full of noise, stories help kids find their voice. And if we can give them that? We’ve already given them the world.