Considering teens' progressive reading decline and disinterest, this mixed methods quasi-experimental study investigated the impact of providing high school students freedom to choose books in English class on their reading volume and reading identities. In a rural Midwestern school, the control group followed a traditional English curriculum with teacher-selected texts and limited time to engage in Silent Sustained Reading (SSR) of choice books. The experimental group participated in a reader's workshop including full student choice. Participants recorded and compared the semester's reading volume to that of their past in addition to reflecting on what influenced changes. Subjects completed the "Adolescent Motivation to Read Profile" (AMRP) survey in August and December to demonstrate whether choice impacted their self-concepts as readers and value they placed on reading. In September, participants reflected on their evolutions as readers up to that point. In December, students presented their reading experiences throughout the study, indicating their reading interest level and how they perceived themselves as readers. The results of the self-reported reading volume, online surveys, pre- and post-AMRP surveys, and pre- and post-presentations were compared between the two groups. The study's results showed that student choice--in the control and experimental groups--positively impacted students' reading volume and reading identities, and greater choice yielded higher volume increases and more dramatic improvements in reading identities. Further longitudinal research is recommended. This study suggests that high school educators prioritize developing students' positive reading identities by offering teens much opportunity to choose what they read in high school English classes. [The dissertation citations contained here are published with the permission of ProQuest LLC. Further reproduction is prohibited without permission. Copies of dissertations may be obtained by Telephone (800) 1-800-521-0600. Web page: http://www.proquest.com/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml.]