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Book Whisperer Awakens the Inner Reader in Children

The Book Whisperer: Awakening the Inner Reader in Every Child written by Donalyn Miller, has been enthusiastically received and reviewed by teachers and bloggers. Below is a review from Library Journal (March, 15, 2009) by Mark Bay of the University of Cumberlands Library in Williamsburg, KY:

Miller, a sixth-grade language arts and social studies teacher and blogger, as enabled students of many different backgrounds to enjoy reading and to be good at it; her students regularly score high on the Texas standardized tests. Her approach is simple yet provocative: affirm the reader in every student, allow students to choose their own books, carve out extra reading time, model authentic reading behaviors, discard timeworn reading assignments such as book reports and comprehension worksheets, and develop a classroom library filled with high-interest books. Her students regularly read more than 40 books in a school year and leave her classroom with an appreciation and love of books and reading. Miller provides many tips for teachers and parents and includes a useful list of ultimate reading suggestions picked by her students. This outstanding contribution to the literature is highly recommended for teachers, parents, and others serving young students.

A good friend, Wendy Melzer, sent me a link to a video of an interview with Donalyn that was posted on the National Writing Project site. It is titled, “Book Whisperer” Awakens the Inner Reader in Children" and is from the show "The View from the Bay." The following summary is provided: Donalyn Miller, teacher-consultant with the North Star of Texas Writing Project and widely-read literacy expert, appears on television to discuss her book, The Book Whisperer, and offers tips on how to inspire children to read.





There are also links to questions about teaching reading and book recommendations. Enjoy!


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