Literacy is the foundation of learning. Studies show that successful students read the most. The more students read, the better their comprehension and vocabulary, as well as their knowledge of the world. Reading also provides social-emotional benefits, helps in building identity and empathy, inspiring discovery, finding wonder in the world, and preparing for the future. A challenge educators face is supporting struggling readers progress from striving to thriving readers. At Scholastic, we believe it is not enough to just provide access to good books. Offering scaffolded support and modeling of good reading practices are also important. Through this talk, we intend to share globally acknowledged research- and evidence-based best practices in reading. We will delve into the dynamic interplay between reading engagement and achievement, highlighting how motivated students persist until they accomplish their reading goals. Together, we can nurture a community of lifelong learners.