Donalyn Miller says she has yet to meet a child she couldn't turn into a reader. No matter how far behind Miller's students might be when they reac...
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Sep 20, 2008
Donalyn
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OK, I only added this one to my list, so all of my GoodReads friends could see it!I could not believe that the book was already added to the GoodReads site...
The book will be published in March of 2009. I am currently doing the copy edits and the final tweaks on the production design. Still surreal to think that I wrote an entire book.
I think it is pretty good, but I am a bit biased. My husband teased me saying that it only deserved four stars out of five because he prefe More...
The book will be published in March of 2009. I am currently doing the copy edits and the final tweaks on the production design. Still surreal to think that I wrote an entire book.
I think it is pretty good, but I am a bit biased. My husband teased me saying that it only deserved four stars out of five because he prefe More...
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Mar 30, 2009
Kyra
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I am giving it five stars even though I haven't read it yet because, I know it is going to be wonderful.
I LOVE YOU MRS.MILLER!!!!!
I LOVE YOU MRS.MILLER!!!!!
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Sep 19, 2010
Jody
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Almost gave it a five...this woman is my kindred spirit. I love how she talks about how pointless book reports are. Every year, sometime in mid to late September, my students start wondering if we're going to do book reports. Then, we have our parent teacher conferences in early October and the parents ask me about book reports. I'm a little less dramatic with the parents (who are SO relieved to hear the news), but this is what I do for the students. I become silent. I stare at the whole c
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Aug 04, 2011
This is the best professional book that I have read in quite some time. It is so important to help children find the book that will turn them into lifelong readers. I reflected heavily on my own education and upbringing and came to the conclusion that I am an avid reader because of my mom and a few teachers that really kept me excited about reading. I was able to recall a high school math teacher (I really had a rough time in math) that approached me in the library (that’s what they called it
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Mar 01, 2009
Kate
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Donalyn Miller gets it. She understands perfectly why many of our kids don't like reading any more, and she has the answer. You'd think Congress would be knocking down her door by now. Let's hope it happens soon.
In the mean time, anyone who considers himself or herself a teacher needs to read THE BOOK WHISPERER. It's a book that gets right to the heart of what makes us readers and how to instill that love of words and stories in our kids. Miller goes right after so-called "tried More...
In the mean time, anyone who considers himself or herself a teacher needs to read THE BOOK WHISPERER. It's a book that gets right to the heart of what makes us readers and how to instill that love of words and stories in our kids. Miller goes right after so-called "tried More...
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Feb 13, 2012
Barb
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Miller is a 6th grade language arts teacher who requires her students to read 40 books a year. She creates a culture of reading by training students to read every day. Much of the book centers around why this is important in education and how teachers can fail to create a community of readers. It doesn’t go into great detail on how she sets up her classroom on a daily basis.
I found some of the information helpful. I am going to try the, Reading Interest-A-Lyzer by Sally Reis, that ca More...
I found some of the information helpful. I am going to try the, Reading Interest-A-Lyzer by Sally Reis, that ca More...
Oct 03, 2011
Tracey
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This is meant as a call to teachers to join the revolution of freedom of choice reading for our children, allowing them to awaken their inner reader. As a parent of a 3rd grader who is only reading because he has to, this caught my interest of how i can perhaps help to awaken his desire for reading, if it can't be done at school. I truly feel reading opens up a whole new world to us in all genres. I'm not a college educated parent, and I want more for my son, that I know you can only get from
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Aug 21, 2011
Lynner
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Meet Donalyn Miller, author of The Book Whisperer, a self proclaimed book lover, and sixth grade teacher. Donalyn is the type of reader who stays up late at night to finish a novel she just can’t put down. She is passionate about books, keeping piles of books she wants to read and lovingly names the book pile Miller Mountain. Her classroom and home are filled with books that she has read or wants to read. Now meet Donalyn’s students who probably have a book currently in their hand. They ma
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Aug 08, 2011
Amy
rated it:
“It is the culture of teacher-centered instruction and standardized testing hysteria. The culture makes me question myself, and I know that is the reason why many teachers resist altering their practice (p.169).”
I remember last year how torn I was in teaching the mandated curriculum and then thinking of ways to teach the curriculum I wanted at the same time. I knew that in the end the MCAS scores did not matter, especially with my school slated to close at the end of the year anyway More...
I remember last year how torn I was in teaching the mandated curriculum and then thinking of ways to teach the curriculum I wanted at the same time. I knew that in the end the MCAS scores did not matter, especially with my school slated to close at the end of the year anyway More...
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Aug 05, 2011
Sabrina
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I first read this book in the spring of 2011, as I frantically tried to finish up my own graduate studies that semester AND finish a wonderful year of teaching full time. I couldn't put this book down and blasted through it in a few days.
I adore Donalyn Miller and I want to be her when I grow up...that is, if I ever do. ;)
In all seriousness I loves her book. It was inspirational and I enjoyed the narrative woven throughout the text. I agree with letting students choose their own book More...
I adore Donalyn Miller and I want to be her when I grow up...that is, if I ever do. ;)
In all seriousness I loves her book. It was inspirational and I enjoyed the narrative woven throughout the text. I agree with letting students choose their own book More...
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Jul 22, 2011
NTE
rated it:
Reading this book reminded me of a couple of things:
1) I really miss teaching, and need to get back to it
2) If a teacher knows what she's doing, kids can achieve pretty much anything
3) Nobody understands teaching reading like an avid reader. (I don't think you can do it any other way)
And Miller is, for sure, a reader. Anybody who requires her class to read 40 books over the course of the school year, builds an extensive lending library in her classroom (and shows them More...
1) I really miss teaching, and need to get back to it
2) If a teacher knows what she's doing, kids can achieve pretty much anything
3) Nobody understands teaching reading like an avid reader. (I don't think you can do it any other way)
And Miller is, for sure, a reader. Anybody who requires her class to read 40 books over the course of the school year, builds an extensive lending library in her classroom (and shows them More...
Jul 12, 2011
AnnaMay
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A fantastic epiphany book! This was very easy and enjoyable to read and I love how she described what happened to her students as they were set free to choose their own books. 40 books in a school year for each student!? Bravo. This book wouldn't have held much value if Miller simply bragged how great her 7th graders were (she's a language arts and social studies teacher at a Middle School.) Instead of going that route, she teaches how we can each apply her approach with our own readers (wh
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Jun 24, 2011
Jason
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I heard Donalyn Miller speak at the NWP Annual Meeting in November 2010. Her book is a love story to free reading in the classroom, and it's hard not to be swept up in her passion. Even though I teach 10th grade, I still found strategies I could use in my own classroom. Donalyn is practical in her use of reader's notebooks and in the design of her massive classroom library. I will borrow both of these ideas in the fall. I would like to hear another voice on the topic of student choice--one geare
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Jun 23, 2011
Joni
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Loved this book! I'm inspired and empowered to make a difference! I'm a mom (and not much of a reader - yet). I read this book because I wanted to find ways to inspire my child who is a developing reader. My biggest take away is "MY role" needs to change from telling her to read to becoming a reading role model. We will be more diligent about dedicating daily time "together" as a shared experience instead of sending her off alone to read. She will read independently, or
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Apr 18, 2011
Eileen
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Donalyn Miller is a 6th grade Language Arts teacher who advocates an unconventional approach to teaching in her book, The Book Whisperer. An avid reader herself, Miller shares practical ideas for awakening the inner reader in her students and ultimately developing life-long readers. Miller began her teaching career by following the traditional approach to teaching reading skills, which included developing units around a novel the entire class would read and then following through with comprehe
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Apr 03, 2011
Chris
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Though I’ve had online conversations via Twitter with Donalyn Miller for well over a year now, I shamefacedly admit that I’d never read her book until this weekend, and I wouldn’t have if my husband hadn’t been teaching himself some programming at Barnes and Noble where we met after work. It’s not that I haven’t picked it up a dozen times or that I wasn’t curious. But I didn’t want to add yet another book to my pile of professional books to be read. At this point, that stack alone could serve as
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Oct 18, 2010
Terri
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Wow! I wish I had written this book! It is my philosophy on reading and education exactly. And Donalyn Miller manages to capture all of that in a readable, easy format. I read it in one day (and I am not a non-fiction reader generally). Fantastic! I want to buy a copy for all of my teacher friends.
The book is solidly based on all of the research I have read, but doesn't present the information in a "holier-than- thou" way. It is enthusiastic and sincere while offering good, p More...
The book is solidly based on all of the research I have read, but doesn't present the information in a "holier-than- thou" way. It is enthusiastic and sincere while offering good, p More...
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Aug 26, 2010
Bonnie
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Finished and inspired!
I am back Twittering with an National Writing Project community created in the month of July during annual Summer Institutes and at an NWP retreat in Austin, Texas.
As I was twittering around last week, I came to a conversation about The Book Whisperer by Donalyn Miller. I clicked around for a few reviews and downloaded it to my iPad library and started reading last week on my gym’s Ellipse. Once I began, I couldn’t stop thinking about how I supported More...
I am back Twittering with an National Writing Project community created in the month of July during annual Summer Institutes and at an NWP retreat in Austin, Texas.
As I was twittering around last week, I came to a conversation about The Book Whisperer by Donalyn Miller. I clicked around for a few reviews and downloaded it to my iPad library and started reading last week on my gym’s Ellipse. Once I began, I couldn’t stop thinking about how I supported More...
Jul 14, 2010
Sarah
rated it:
I am incredibly jealous of any student that has Donalyn Miller for a teacher. I would have thought I was in heaven...a teacher that gives hours of independent reading time in class and gives recommendations!!
I love her philosophy and agree with everything she says. In order for anyone to be a good reader he or she must have time to read and the opportunity to read what he or she wants to read. AR, tests, reports...these are not motivation for students. A desire to read, loving More...
I love her philosophy and agree with everything she says. In order for anyone to be a good reader he or she must have time to read and the opportunity to read what he or she wants to read. AR, tests, reports...these are not motivation for students. A desire to read, loving More...
Jul 07, 2010
Andrew
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This is a book I wish I could rate a couple of different ways. Because in some ways it is a 5 star book, and others it deserves a 2. Let me explain.
First why is it so great? I would highly suggest this for any reading/English teacher in America. There is nothing really complex about this book, but it certainly proposes a culture shift in reading education. The basic premise is that the way we are teaching reading is actually what is destroying the love of reading in America. American More...
First why is it so great? I would highly suggest this for any reading/English teacher in America. There is nothing really complex about this book, but it certainly proposes a culture shift in reading education. The basic premise is that the way we are teaching reading is actually what is destroying the love of reading in America. American More...
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Jun 28, 2010
Vivian
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Donalyn Miller's strategy to create readers is to allow them free choice in reading and challenge them to read, read, read. What a concept! She works with sixth graders in Texas and consistently produces high scores on the TAKS (Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills). She shares her journey from status quo teaching to her 'novel' approach (my pun, sorry) of creating life-long readers by allowing free choice, time to read in class, requiring forty books a year in various genres, switching t
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Jun 22, 2010
Tenille
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This book will probably be the one professional development resource I hang onto for a lifetime. Donalyn Miller wasn’t preaching a new message, but it sure fell fresh on ears that needed to hear it! As I read this book, images of my 3rd grade teacher, Mrs. Barnes, flashed through my head continually. She lived and breathed authentic reading in her classroom, and she is the reason I am a voracious reader today. The author explains that teachers should always have a book in their hand and a recomm
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May 24, 2010
Lbsantini
rated it:
True story. I woke up one morning and said to my husband, "I had a dream where I found a book that answered all my questions about teaching reading. Of course, it was only a dream. No such book exists." Flash forward several weeks to a layover between two parties. For me and my husband, the obvious place to kill time was Barnes and Nobles. That is when I found Miller's book. I started by scribbling ideas from the text on an ATM receipt. When it was filled, I decided to spring for the b
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May 06, 2010
Janessa
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This book was recommended to me by the librarian at my children's elementary school. She is a remarkable person whose advice always leaves me feeling a little more grounded, so I was inclined to like this book before I'd even opened the cover.
Miller, the author, is a teacher who writes from the point of view of an avid, passionate reader whose sole purpose in teaching literature to her middle grade students is to turn them into avid, passionate readers, too. She talks about her cla More...
Miller, the author, is a teacher who writes from the point of view of an avid, passionate reader whose sole purpose in teaching literature to her middle grade students is to turn them into avid, passionate readers, too. She talks about her cla More...
Apr 22, 2010
Aaron
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I picked up this book after getting a number of recommendations from various people, including my great teaching partner (Hi, Melody!) and a number of my students. Donalyn is a middle school language arts and social studies teacher at a school in Texas. She has a very innovative way of looking at providing reader support for our burgeoning young students: let our kids choose what they will read, and they will find success. The fact that her students regularly score high on the standardized tests
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Jan 05, 2010
Janet
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Ms. Miller's methods shouldn't be though of as unconventional -- it should be standard operating procedure for a reading curriculum! Her students are expected to read 40 books a year. For some, that's perhaps 38 more than they might have read the previous year. Yet her methods work and the majority of her sixth grade students achieve "commended" scores on their state standardized tests. Although written mostly for teachers, parents (and grandparents) of school-age kids will get a lot o
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Oct 05, 2009
Kate
rated it: 
Akin to Nancie Atwell's In the Middle about reading workshop, Miller's book talks about creating a community of readers and encouraging students to read by giving them time in school to read. She points out that her students score well on their standardized tests, and she attributes this to her expectation that each student will read 40 books during their school year. I think she's right.
My only irritation with this book is that, as a school librarian, I find classroom libraries to More...
My only irritation with this book is that, as a school librarian, I find classroom libraries to More...
Sep 26, 2009
Jessica
rated it:
Loved it! It is for those of us who know that to love reading you have to read--anything!
Graham's sixth grade teacher told his class about this book. He mentioned it everyday as he was reading 45 pages a day of: The Last Apprentice. He was excited about reading! He kept saying 40 books, different genres, etc. He said I had to get it--The Book Whisperer. I had no clue what it was, but for Graham to get excited? I went to Amazon and bought it, Readicide and Notebook Connections. More...
Graham's sixth grade teacher told his class about this book. He mentioned it everyday as he was reading 45 pages a day of: The Last Apprentice. He was excited about reading! He kept saying 40 books, different genres, etc. He said I had to get it--The Book Whisperer. I had no clue what it was, but for Graham to get excited? I went to Amazon and bought it, Readicide and Notebook Connections. More...
Sep 17, 2009
Ginger
rated it:
I got this book from a review here on Goodreads.
Miller is a teacher in Texas that has had great success with her students. She has not had one student fail the state assessment test in four years and an average of 85 percent of her students score in the 90th percentile. She has accomplished this by creating an atmosphere that promotes reading and inspired her students to read.
I have always contended that the way to help our children pass these tests is not to teach to the t More...
Miller is a teacher in Texas that has had great success with her students. She has not had one student fail the state assessment test in four years and an average of 85 percent of her students score in the 90th percentile. She has accomplished this by creating an atmosphere that promotes reading and inspired her students to read.
I have always contended that the way to help our children pass these tests is not to teach to the t More...
Aug 14, 2009
Nika
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As far as books about teaching go, this one stands apart. I was skeptical, I won't lie ... because I do not like the title. Sorry. So sorry. I do not like titles that piggy-back on other successful books. HOWEVER, all I had to do was to listen to Donalyn Miller speak at a district training for English teachers to know that her passion is real and her heart is inviting. I HAD to read this book. (Really, I think she should record it as an audiobook, even though teaching resources are rarely
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