From the Library
Why Peer Recommendations Matter
Choosing a new book can feel overwhelming for many teenagers. One of the strongest influences on adolescent motivation is their peer group. Research consistently shows that peers act as important social agents, shaping how young people understand the world, what they value, and what feels worth engaging with. During the teen and young adult years in particular, peer influence plays a key role in motivation and decision making, including reading choices.
Our secondary students are contributing to this positive cycle by writing and sharing reviews of the books they read. These recommendations offer authentic perspectives and make reading feel relevant and socially connected. For students who are reluctant readers or unsure of their preferences, a recommendation from a friend can be the spark that encourages them to give a book a try.
This approach aligns closely with guidance from Australia Reads, which emphasises that reading does not have to be a solitary activity. Young people benefit from positive social reading experiences where they can recommend, discuss and share books with both peers and adults in ways that feel personally meaningful and enjoyable. These interactions enrich individual reading habits while also strengthening social connections around texts.
Values inspire behaviour. Powerful books help young people reflect on who they are and how they see the world. When boys are reading meaningful texts and actively recommending them to their friends, they are not only building a reading culture but also modelling a shift in peer values. That peer‑led enthusiasm is powerful in itself and shows how reading can influence identity, relationships and perspective.
We encourage parents and caregivers to support this social approach to reading by talking with their young people about books their friends have enjoyed and encouraging them to try a peer‑recommended title. Sharing a response to a book, whether through conversation or informal discussion, reinforces the idea that reading is both a personal and a social experience, one that connects students to each other and to a wider community of readers.
MS TRISHA TEMPLETON
Assistant Head of Innovation - Literacies
References
Benish-Weisman, M., Oreg, S., & Berson, Y. (2022). The contribution of peer values to children’s values and behavior. Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, 48(6), 844–864. https://doi.org/10.1177/01461672211020193