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alidottie's review
5.0
I thoroughly enjoyed this book that is filled with ideas for teachers of young readers to help them become lifetime readers. What a great endeavor to spend your life on!
megangraff's review against another edition
4.0
Better in hardcopy than on my Kindle - too tricky to flip back and forth.
hnbb's review
5.0
This book was suggested for me to read as a new elementary librarian. I am coming out of a classroom where a lot of what was addressed in this book frustrated me. I am so glad I read it. I have several ideas I would like to implement into my library time. I would love for an updated version of this to be published. (Hard to believe it can be out of date in some ways already.) I think all educators should read this.
sarahbaileyreads's review
4.0
I loved the philosophy behind this book— just let your kids read! I loved her inventories and the expectations for each student. I’ve incorporated the 40 Book Challenge in my classroom as a challenge as opposed to a requirement and many students love going after it. I’ve also seen the excitement of students reading books I’ve recommended or read during class first hand— it’s contagious. This book is a refreshing reset for those wanting to rethink their language arts classroom. Less leads to more books!
cindyjac's review
5.0
This was a reread; I wanted to inspire myself to increase the amount of self-selected reading in my classroom for next year. I'll never be Donalyn Miller, but I can examine every task every day and make sure I am not wasting valuable time with anything that is not reading, writing, speaking, listening, and/or thinking! A quote to add to my pile of reminders: "Reading is not an add-on to class; it is a cornerstone. Reading is a daily habit." Goal: 2 hours minimum of independent reading a week! Doable.
ninakeller's review
4.0
There is no other activity that increases reading achievement and the fostering of life-long reading than engaging in consistent, sustained independent reading.
This book convinces me that it is imperative for schools to prioritize time for reading, supported by knowledgeable adults who can “whisper” books to students based on their profile, a community and culture of reading, and authentic opportunities for response and reflection on reading.
As an avid reader myself, I realized I don’t bring this identity into my teaching as much as I should. I find her approach (reading during any and all gaps in the day) to be a bit excessive, but nonetheless adaptable to my own personality and style. I want to read many more children’s books so that I can be a better book whisperer myself.
This book convinces me that it is imperative for schools to prioritize time for reading, supported by knowledgeable adults who can “whisper” books to students based on their profile, a community and culture of reading, and authentic opportunities for response and reflection on reading.
As an avid reader myself, I realized I don’t bring this identity into my teaching as much as I should. I find her approach (reading during any and all gaps in the day) to be a bit excessive, but nonetheless adaptable to my own personality and style. I want to read many more children’s books so that I can be a better book whisperer myself.
mlwilson1021's review
4.0
"'I can never express who I really am in my own words as powerfully as my books can. This is how I show my students that I love them-by putting books in their hands, by noticing what they are about, and finding books that tell them, "I know. I know how it is. I know who you are, and even though we may never speak of it, read this book, and know that I understand you.'" We speak in this language of books passing back and forth."
Reading this book caused me to take a long look at how I taught reading in the classroom, all of my hits and ALL of my misses. I definitely think that if I go back to a traditional classroom in the future (I am the school LMS now) I will make some changes based on what I have learned reading this book. I agree that students need time to read their selected books, but anyone in education knows that giving independent reading time in abundance is often frowned upon. Teachers who allow 15 minutes of reading time or more of independent reading daily are thought to be lazy by admin. Also, teachers have to read themselves. Many ELA teachers don't have authority with their students when it comes to reading because they don't read themselves. Teachers need to be reading and talking about books ALL OF THE TIME! Sharing books is the absolute best part of my job, and possibly the most important as well. The Book Whisperer validated that for me. Another take-away for me is the READING INTEREST-A-LYZER. I can use this tool in the library to help me pair students with books when they first enter the school.
There were definite times I connected with this book while reading it, but there were times I felt conflicted. The author, in my opinion, comes through as arrogant multiple times. Although she does reflect on her practices early in her career as ineffective, she blames it mostly on other teachers who mentored her. I would have loved this book more if the author hadn't laid blame at the feet of others, but discussed what worked in her room honestly and without a prideful spirit. She toots her own horn far too much.
Reading this book caused me to take a long look at how I taught reading in the classroom, all of my hits and ALL of my misses. I definitely think that if I go back to a traditional classroom in the future (I am the school LMS now) I will make some changes based on what I have learned reading this book. I agree that students need time to read their selected books, but anyone in education knows that giving independent reading time in abundance is often frowned upon. Teachers who allow 15 minutes of reading time or more of independent reading daily are thought to be lazy by admin. Also, teachers have to read themselves. Many ELA teachers don't have authority with their students when it comes to reading because they don't read themselves. Teachers need to be reading and talking about books ALL OF THE TIME! Sharing books is the absolute best part of my job, and possibly the most important as well. The Book Whisperer validated that for me. Another take-away for me is the READING INTEREST-A-LYZER. I can use this tool in the library to help me pair students with books when they first enter the school.
There were definite times I connected with this book while reading it, but there were times I felt conflicted. The author, in my opinion, comes through as arrogant multiple times. Although she does reflect on her practices early in her career as ineffective, she blames it mostly on other teachers who mentored her. I would have loved this book more if the author hadn't laid blame at the feet of others, but discussed what worked in her room honestly and without a prideful spirit. She toots her own horn far too much.
cassiethompson's review
4.0
This book is a must-read for all teachers. This book changed my classroom and the lives of so many students. It is really easy to get bogged down with all the extra stuff that teachers have to handle, but this book reminds us that creating lifelong readers and learners is the endgame.