The author suggests that it is impossible to motivate students. He said that in fact, it's not really possible to motivate anyone, except perhaps oneself. What a teacher "can" do--"all" a teacher can do--is work with students to create a classroom culture, a climate, a curriculum that will nourish and sustain the fundamental inclinations that…

Describes how Gary Paulsen's novels for young adults transformed the author's teaching, and caused her eighth-grade reluctant readers to read as if inspired. Relates how Paulsen's stories about his adventures and misadventures in education and in life stirred students to become active participants in the reading process. Offers a select…