The Book Whisperer

Still full stars after getting through it a second time.

I loved this book and found it very inspirational. I hope someday Miller writes an article or book about how librarians can implement this at the public library. The fact that the book made me think deeply about how I perceived reading in school and my own love of books, is proof that it is a good one. Plus, it was wonderful to read a book written by someone who clearly loves to read as much as I do. That was joyful.

This is an excellent and inspiring book for reading teachers. It was fun and easy to read and had some very usable ideas I plan to apply in my own classroom. The appendices will be very useful to me, especially the book list from the students because while I think I know what students want to read, I could be getting it very wrong.I disagree, however, with the stance on whole-class books. I think it's important for all students to read some classic books regardless of personal taste. Yes, it is hard to find books that are suitable for every child in class but it can be done with a bit of creativity. There is no harm, in my opinion, in teaching a whole-class book during part of the class and then allowing time for personal choice reading for the rest of the time. This is the model described in [b:Readicide: How Schools Are Killing Reading and What You Can Do about It 6012327 Readicide How Schools Are Killing Reading and What You Can Do about It Kelly Gallagher http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1255634725s/6012327.jpg 6187541] and it made a lot of sense to me.

I should have read this book back when I was going through my MA in Reading and Literacy. EVERY reading teacher should read this book. But really, it's simple advice the book whisperer gives....for kids to be life long readers that can do it well and enjoy reading they must READ READ READ! Doesn't get any more simpler than that. Triple loved this book and even found how I could help my reading teachers as a librarian! Teachers, get this book, read it then LIVE it!

How to get my children to be readers, paraphrased, in random order:

Let them pick what they like to read (check).
Let them abandon a book if they don't like it (check).
Let them read for the fun of it instead of making them do exhaustive literary activities (check).
Give them time to read (check).
Keep recommending different books that you think they might like until you find something they want to read (check).
Keep a lot of books around (check).
Expect them to read– a lot (check).
Let them see you read a lot (yeah, that too).

I guess that's why my children are readers. ;)