Hello runyJu, I believe that what is needed for your students is a connection to the text to make it more relevant to their lives. I would first review the text myself, and come up with comparisons that the characters, setting, or issue have with that of my students. In introducing the text, I would have a presentation created to highlight the connections between my students' lives and the text. By making the text relevant, the students will more readily engage with it on their own. Another suggestion I would have is come up with activities to link with the learning. Have the students create a visual highlighting the importance of the first five chapters. Another suggestion would be of course to have the students watch a film adaption of the book and complete an activity that compares and contrasts the book and the film.

I have found it very beneficial with providing students with reading response questions from the text. Students will need to have read the text in order to write a reflection or answer the specific questions. One former high school teacher of mine used to give pop quizzes over the readings. He would not give a pop quiz to every class on the same day. He would randomly draw a number for the class and on that day, a specific class would be given a pop quiz. This would help to keep students "on their toes" and keep up with the readings.

Have them fill out a reading log - What pages they read and a short summary of what they read about - no more then 3 sentences per chapter.

instead of making it a "Here's the book you have to read, go read" type of assignment, I would provide questions throughout the chapter that really makes them think about the text. Not something they can just search for in the book and not read but making the questions relate to their lives. Allowing them to compare and contrast the readings to their own lives might make it a little more interesting to them and forcing them to read the book.

I would have the students use "The Smart 7" Strategy on printed text. If this is used, they are required to read or they are unable to complete the assignment. This also helps them to better understand the text and answer questions.

I would recommend giving the students an outline that they need to fill in, in that case they know they will need to do it otherwise they will not get credit and it will effect their grade.

A lot of students will read the text if it is relatable. Have the students do engaging activities with the text. If the students are reading Shakespear maybe have them act out a play. They would have to read the text to know and understand their lines.

If I were you, I would give only a small portion to read each day, then give them a bigger portion. Remember, students in high school have a lot going on, sports, jobs and also may be taking care of others. If the students do not feel overwhelemd, they will have more fun reading if they know they can accomplish the reading.

I suggest that you have students keep a reading log or journal of what they read and that it is a graded assignment. Also, I would start creating tests on the books and include content that the students would only know if they read it. You can only do so much to get them to read. I have students that will not complete their work in or out of class in my internship at the moment, it is frustrating. I am not saying give up and do not care, just do not stress and try your best to find something that works.

High school is hard! I would find out from the students any motivations that might work? Party day? Extra credit? Let the students help you decide, the more ownership they take in it the better it will work

Assigned reading is a common homework and students should be held accountable for the readings. I would have the students complete the assigned reading during lunch detention, study hall or any other time that allows for free choice work.

Try to incorporate book talks in your classroom.

Assign chapters to read each night and present a short test the following day on the content presented in the chapters covered.

Use classroom assignments that require the book to have been read or at least looked at for them to answer.

I would give them some incentives for doing their reading. Maybe extra points on their classroom or homework assignments. You could even do a group incentive where the class gets to do something as a whole if you get 100% of everyone reading. They may just need a little encouragement.

High school is tough as it relates to reading. But, recording the reading and having students follow along to the recording may work. As well as preparing a really engaging assignment for students who complete the reading at home. I hope this helps.

Have them read in class and if that is not working maybe consider doing a flip classroom to allow more time for in class reading.