Open a World of Possible

by Lois Bridges (editor)

An anthology of true-life stories by some of America's leading literacy advocates, authors, and poets that celebrates the joy of reading. Informed by the great pleasure that they derive from their own reading, these innovative thinkers are dedicated to helping young people discover and create their own rich lives as readers.

Genres: Nonfiction, Education, Adult

256 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2014

Reviews

[Donalyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this anthology when it was first released. I rediscovered it while cleaning out some old books and read it again. Powerful and inspiring stories. I am honored to contribute my own story to it.

[Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a retired teacher and an avid reader, I can appreciate these essays about how reading impacted the lives of the various authors in this collection. Many are educators and/or contributors to the field of literacy. I am certain that this book is in the collection of many school libraries or teacher resource rooms.

[Kelly Kenny]

2015 Reading Challenge: A book of short stories

Check!

I did not assign "stars" to this book because I don't feel like I can rate other people's sharing of personal stories. I used this as a "palette cleanser" throughout 2015, reading a few essays in between other books.

I enjoyed adding a few more titles to my "to-read" list along the way. But I was most taken, and in a way reassured, by the collection of people who feel so passionately about reading and inspiring that love in others. It gives me hope to know that so many people are working so hard to keep books (real books!) in the hands of children, and I am now excited to make some donations to some of the organizations I learned about in this collection.

I felt in good company while reading this book!

[Joan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Celebrate the love of reading with literacy advocates, poets, and authors in an anthology of true stories that celebrate books and reading as they address the power and joy of stories. More than one hundred personal commentaries and essays illuminate a strong passion for the written word, gathered here to help instill a love of reading in children. Readers are sure to find these inspiring stories will touch their hearts, even if they are already staunch fans of the written word.

Highly recommended.

[Jody Kyburz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Almost a five. This is a collection of 118 short essays by famous authors, literacy specialists, etc. about when and how and why they have become readers, why reading is important, and otherwise ALL THINGS READING. Perhaps 118 was a few essays too many, but I did read every word, including the "about the author" section, in teeny, tiny print, at the end of each essay.

Boy. I'm a nobody compared to all of the degrees and awards and foundations these people have earned, won, and created. The message however is powerful. Reading is life. It was a great book.

I think I'll be writing my own little essay on my blog soon about how I came into reading. Mimicry is flattery, right? Hope I spelled that correctly!

[Aruna Kumar Gadepalli · Rating 4 out of 5]

This anthology is a collection of 118 people from various backgrounds, professions who shared their views on reading. The title "Open a World of possible: Real Stories About the Joy and Power of Reading" itself provides clue about the book. The book is under the following categories -
Joy
Transformation
Illumination
Communion
Imagination
Inspiration
Advocacy

Good book that will motivate the readers.

[MrsK Books · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a perfect read for every educator and librarian. Author's discussing their favorite reads. Author's supporting reading environments at home. Author's recalling their cherished moments with book titles that all of us have experienced or will experience right away.

This is a book to pick up when you are just browsing to pass the time in line, in a office waiting room, on a night when you just can't sleep. It is a book to own, because you will not have enough yellow stickies for all of the great titles, yes, you will need to write in the margins and star those titles that you want to experience for the first time or be so touched by their recall you want to revisit an old friend.

With all the books on your "keep" shelves... You should invest in this delightful find!
MrsK

[Monzenn · Rating 4 out of 5]

High four stars. I always have a hard time rating these Chicken Soup for the Soul type books, or basically those collections of one to three page stories by multiple contributors. On the one hand, the stories are good. On the other hand, it's quite difficult to think of them as a coherent whole given the different stories and narrative choices. For this one, though, the advocacy section was the one that brought the book home for me. Stories of diversity and author stories are expected, but a story on censorship is not what I expected at all - a pleasant surprise. So I guess in the end I was swayed a bit by the stories of the first library visit, or the campaign to spread literacy around the world.

[Naomi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such an encouraging collection of essays on the power of reading and telling stories. I thoroughly enjoyed reading how so many influential teachers and authors came to love reading and the power it has had in their lives. This encourages me to pick empowering and engaging books with stories that make the world bigger and more accessible for my own students.

[JLS10 · Rating 4 out of 5]

As someone who works in a school library, it was heartening to read within the anthology about librarians who made all the difference and turned lives around by placing the right book in a child’s hands at the right time. I read this one little by little but felt inspired after each time I picked it up.

[Keven Dickerman · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading a variety of peoples stories of the impact of reading on their lives. Some stories encouraged me, some broke my heart, and others made me wish that I could sit and ask the author questions. I recommend reading one a day for 112 days, rather than reading it all in one sitting.

[Sarah Evans · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great collection of brief essays that come from a variety of perspectives and personal experiences with literacy. Perfect for use in the classroom.

[Joseph · Rating 3 out of 5]

Inspiring at times and very heavy handed in other parts.

[Mary Keck · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book has little one page information of how reading impacted author, writer, etc., some were famous people. There were a couple I thought were good.
* Know yourself as a reader. Write down 100 things about yourself as a reader. Ex. I like to read a long book and then a short book next. I get carsick it I read in the car. If I see the movie I don't go back and read the book. etc.

* One guy compared reading to the book, The Carrot Seed. If you hope and believe it will happen.
* The book reminded me how important it is to read and keep reading.

[Curt Bobbitt · Rating 3 out of 5]

This anthology of 117 personal reflections about reading offers several inspiring experiences. The notes about each author reveal the enormous professional success of each one. The varied styles presented many shared experiences, even particular authors such as Dr. Seuss, Louisa May Alcott, and Tolkien. I found the essays by Christopher Lehman, Kwame Alexander, and Farin Houk most delightful.

[Roxanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is about the joy and power of reading. She says reading opens up a world of possible. We can gain insights, deeper understanding and empathy and grasp ideas. I have read since I was a child because reading brings me joy. I also learn new things I want to more about. reading makes us smarter. It can be calming and relaxing. I am always so happy when I can find great books to read.

[Hannah · Rating 2 out of 5]

I liked the different peoples stories, but after like ten one pagers, I found them all quite the same. So, I didn't finish but still appreciate the idea. Reading really does change lives at a young age.

[Katie Zebrowski · Rating 5 out of 5]

Includes personal reading reflections by so many of the authors, illustrators, and professionals that I adore. Love it!

[Susanne Davison · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Most Excellent Book! Great Read for Educators and/or Parents! Anyone who loves a child, should read these essay's!

[Kim · Rating 4 out of 5]

Stories about reading and its power by literacy professionals, poets, etc.

[The Reading Countess · Rating 2 out of 5]

Comprehensive and eclectic collection of authors' essays on their journey to literacy. Some are inspirational, others are patronizing, but most are preachy.

[Ann · Rating 3 out of 5]

A few really inspiring stories. Tends to be redundant after awhile.

[Dan Rogers]

Not captivating enough to keep me reading.

[MrsReganReads · Rating 4 out of 5]

Using some of the stories for my classroom... some wonderful inspirational stories that make you want to remember your first book and when you first found a love of reading.

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

IT is always interesting to read about what got people reading. And how that influenced their careers.

[Mike Neal · Rating 5 out of 5]

These stories of reading and how these educators came to love literature was so inspiring. I was extremely moved and could not put this book down.

[Shirley Wagand · Rating 4 out of 5]

Motivational stories about reading with many great resources!