The Book Whisperer

The Book Whisperer: Awakening the Inner Reader in Every Child by Donalyn Miller is definitely geared toward elementary and even middle school teachers, but I found it very interesting.  Miller makes the case that children will turn into lifelong readers, by choosing what they read and by getting in the habit of reading everyday.

Miller teaches 6th grade in a public school in Texas and rather than providing the usual shared novel experience with her students, she allows them to pick their own books to read all year-long.  She expects them to read 40 books without an incentive program, daily take-home log, and the regular standardized testing prep usually done in schools today.  And her students respond by reading, enjoying it, and doing as well if not better on the state tests as their peers. 

This was such a fascinating book and really drove home how important it is to get kids reading and reading early and not only that, but finding books that kids enjoy.  There is no such thing as a non-reader, it’s just someone who hasn’t found the right book yet.

Title: The Book Whisperer: Awakening the Inner Reader in Every Child
Author: Donalyn Miller
Publisher: Jossey -Bass
Publication Date: 2009
Page Number: 227 pgs.