The art of reading refers to the act of representing and interpreting text through oral dramatic reading. To the dismay of many teachers, reading is becoming a "lost art." Students are expected to apply specific literacy techniques rather than use their imagination to learn to enact text. Based on a study of the reading perceptions of natural oral dramatic readers, this article explores the use of oral interpretation to transform reading into an aesthetic experience which promotes personal engagement, and create a learning atmosphere where comprehension is natural and relevant to the reader. If we indeed desire to "leave no child behind," we must acknowledge the uniqueness of each child and provide all students with a means to express that uniqueness during literacy learning. The use of dramatic interpretation as part of the reading process validates the experience of the reader by demonstrating through performance the various associations, generalizations, assumptions, histories, and applications of what each student brings to the classroom. (Contains 2 figures.)