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A conversation with author Sharon G. Flake about reading, writing, representation, and falling in love with great books.

It is essential that parents and teachers reach out and offer their help to children who experience difficulties learning to read so they can thrive. Here are four ways to do so:

From author and educator Kate Fussner, here are five things that teachers can do right now to improve the culture of reading in their classrooms.

Ruth Mathurin shares how 'The Skin I'm In' by Sharon G. Flake "was the first book I read in which the main character was not only a young woman of color, but one who was experiencing the same exact things I was experiencing. It was just beautiful seeing her find herself and watching her overcome all of the adversity she had faced."

"I wrote many versions of 'Chance and Little Star' but I never felt fully satisfied with them. At one point, I even thought of giving up. Then one day this particular version flashed in front of me very quickly and I scrambled to write it all down. It was interweaving love, hope, respect, and resilience – all things that helped me get through my formative years. Hopefully kids in middle and high school years would be able to relate to it and find meaning as well."

"I have been writing for as long as I can remember. With many activities, you aren't able to make something new, like in writing. I can make up stories as I please, or share my perspective with the world. This is what appealed to me about writing and inspired me to put my thoughts to paper."

When Lisa immigrated to the United States in sixth grade, she turned to the fantasy world of books for comfort and companionship. Reading so many different authors' engrossing and inspiring stories encouraged her to begin her own exploration with writing. When she entered high school, she started taking writing more seriously, crafting fictional short stories based on aspects of her childhood development.

Javeria Kausar, author of Erin and the Indian Bride, is a Muslim writer from Andhra Pradesh, India, who wants to use her words for good causes. She wants to raise awareness, shatter stereotypes, inspire reflection, and effect positive change.

Pius' experience as a writer started almost eight years ago. He's always been an avid reader, and he developed his passion for writing in senior secondary school. Now, he has decided to turn his passion into a career.