Book Tasting
Set up tables around the room like a restaurant. Each table has 4-5 books, a "menu" describing the genre and reading level, and a "tasting card" where students rate each book. Students rotate tables every 5-7 minutes, sampling a few pages of each book before moving on. At the end, they "order" the one they want to read.
This solves the biggest problem in independent reading: choosing a book. Most kids stall at the shelf because the options are overwhelming. A book tasting gives them structured sampling time and the confidence of having tried something before committing.
Gear for This
Books for This
A wide mix of genres, formats, and reading levels. Include at least one graphic novel, one nonfiction, one mystery, one funny book, and one book with a great cover. The diversity of options is the point.

