The Gift of Story: Exploring the Affective Side of the Reading Life

by John Schu

With the rise of teacher stressors, new and changing state standards, and high-stakes testing, it is more important than ever to remind literacy teachers and teacher-librarians about the reason that brought them to this profession: the love of story. 

The Gift of Story , by John Schu (affectionately known as "Mr. Schu" all over reading communities), invites readers to consider literacy beyond its academic benefits and explore how universal truths found in stories can change us, inspire us, connect us to others, answer our deepest questions, and even help us heal along the way. Using his experience as a teacher, librarian, book lover, and story ambassador, Mr. Schu asks readers to reflect on what it means to share their hearts through stories and how it can connect us to individuals and learning communities.

The Gift of Story  is presented through a study of five affective elements: Healer, Inspiration, Clarifier, Compassion, and Connector.  Along the way, readers will encounter insightful contributions from educators, children’s writers, and illustrators, as well as recommendations for sharing the gift of story with learning communities including: treasured book suggestions that stir reflection, engaging tips for celebrating literacy, and heart-growing applications to lift classroom and library practices.

Celebrate the way we define and imagine ourselves through literacy by using stories to connect to others, build and strengthen community, and honor the children we were called to teach. 

Genres: Nonfiction, Education, Adult, Books About Books, Teaching

184 pages, Paperback

Published May 10, 2022

About the author

John Schu is the creator of the popular blog Mr. Schu Reads (mrschureads.blogspot.com), was the Ambassador of School Libraries for Scholastic Book Fairs, a part-time lecturer at Rutgers University, and a former classroom teacher and school librarian. He has visited schools all over the world and has met with over 130,000 students, teachers, and administrators as he advocates for the people and things he cares about most: kids, books, schools, and the libraries — and librarians — that connect them. This Is a School is his picture book debut. John Schu lives in Naperville, Illinois. You can find him at JohnSchu.com and on social media at @MrSchuReads.

Reviews

[John · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the professional book of my heart. :)

[Bethe · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 stars. I have seen Mr. Schu speak on various occasions and every time he is bursting with love for books and readers. This book is like bouncing around a bookstore or library with him, finding all the books of our hearts. Favorite quote, especially in this time of overzealous book banners, page 5: “ when we create conditions where children are safe to experience life through the lens of characters and their struggles and successes books can be a bridge to connect and restore us.” Love the 5 affective elements. Need to go back and request the few recommended books I haven’t yet read. Thank you Mr. Schu for being a champion for books and reading!

[Kimber Tate · Rating 5 out of 5]

As my friends know, I seldom review titles on Goodreads because I’m too anxious to read the next book in my TBR pile. John Schu’s latest gift articulates all the ways that reading serves humanity. His voice is as passionate and genuine as when he gallops and “skips” around an auditorium as he gives away books with loving abandon. His book has become a book of my heart that will live dog-eared in my office so that I can return to find healing, inspiration, clarification, compassion and connection when I feel lost or alone as a reader and leader.

[Jon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lovely book for elementary educators. The energy Mr. Schu brings to his live presentations translates well to the page. The book was just the spark I needed to start thinking about going back to school and using story to build connections and community with my students.

[Shannon Bailey · Rating 3 out of 5]

Probably would have loved it if I had read it during the summer, but life has been hectic and that affected my mood.

[Dan · Rating 5 out of 5]

John Schu's book was a breath of fresh air when I think about all the reasons I love stories and the influence people and books can have on the human heart.

[Emily Wood · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book should replace my library mission statement. A must read for anyone who engages with learners.

[Christine · Rating 5 out of 5]

What is a story and how do authors share their stories with their readers? This book looks at the affective, or emotional, side of our reading lives using author interviews and a look at their respective works. Using five different elements, (inspiration, compassion, etc.) author Shu wants educators to look at a book beyond its academic benefits and more at how it can shape our emotions, helping to build empathy and community. Overall a good book and while I first wanted to give it a 4 due to so many interviews, I had to bump it up to a 5 due to the extensive and excellent back matter that Shu presented.

[Jennifer Eckert · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book 75 of 2023 - 5⭐️

Mr. Schu is one of my most favorite people to see speak. He is so passionate about sharing stories and how important books and stories are. He is coming to Northside’s eNgagement Academy next week (teachers and librarians - there’s still room to sign up for his sessions!!) to speak about this book. It’s a quick read full of concrete ways to use stories to help students connect, be inspired, and build compassion. Each chapter includes a list of books he recommends. Would be a great, fast, inspiring professional read for the beginning of the school year!

My favorite quote from this book comes at the end, and is a perfect encapsulation of what this book is about and how important stories are:

"This is what story does. It connects us. It gives us caln in the storms of life. It rejuvenates us. It helps us feel safe. Reading someone else's story can inspire us to tell our own stories and live our authentic life.
Stories contain the healing power to make our hearts calmer and more compassionate, comfortable, and roomy.”

[Jennifer Hottinger · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reading is an emotional experience. A connection to the book, characters and often the desire to share with fellow readers pulls us into the story within the pages! Makes sense that a reading teacher needs to connect with heart to her students when aiding in book selection. An excellent reminder of the importance of relationships within our classrooms! I loved all of the book suggestions for several big ideas. John Schu connects his heart with the reader throughout the book thus walking his talk. An awe-inspiring book before the start of the school year!! A must read!!

[Stephanie Affinito · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book lived up to its title. It was truly a gift. It’s a professional book written for educators to explore the affective side of the reading life. And that it did. I was mesmerized by every page. Schu gives us the research and rationale for this work along with countless book recommendations and inspiration from authors. My TBR stack is piled high and this is now required reading in the children’s literature course I teach at my University. If you love books and the power of reading, you must read this book.

[Margaret · Rating 5 out of 5]

With more than 30 markers sticking out from the page edges, it is safe to say this book is a gift. It sings its song to readers of all ages, binding us together as strongly as does story and our stories. In sharing stories we discover we are more alike than different, but in those differences our stories become larger and richer spreading like the proverbial ripples when a pebble is dropped in a pond. Words of wisdom permeate every page. Experiences by authors, illustrators, and educators inspire us. The "Mr. Schu Suggests" sections at the end of each chapter will have you reaching for every one of those books and trying to make the suggested connections with your readers. Not only is this book a gift, but so too is its author, John Schu.

[Nathalie · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Gift of Story not only shares the power of "Story" but also the impact of reading and reading to children. This book is a fantastic discussion and guide to reading for all school-aged children and beyond. Among the many stories suggested are also ideas about generating a reading culture in schools and even ideas for welcoming author visits. The QR codes and quotes from authors and educators make this an enjoyable and interactive book.

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

This spoke to me so much. As I am retiring I enjoyed reflecting on the importance of reading and stories. This is what our world needs now. I also am forced to think about the book banning that is running rampant right now. If everyone read this book and took it to heart then everyone would understand the damage that we are inflicting by banning books. I hope that some day soon people who feel the affective side of reading will be able to have their voices heard!

[SaraKat · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book after hearing that the author would be visiting the school district later in the year. It was a great book and a great author visit. Recommend it to anyone! The book is filled with ways to incorporate more sharing of stories in your classroom, school, or library program. I've got a lot of good ideas from the book and lots of good book recs as well.

[Laura Murray · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book as a text for my final class in my librarian graduate program. This book feels like a warm hug. It filled me with such hope and excitement as I begin my journey as an elementary school librarian. I think this is a must read for anyone who loves to read and loves to share the love of reading with others.

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely adore Mr. Schu and always look forward to seeing him at reading conferences! His enthusiasm for books and people is so endearing and inspiring and this wonderful book captures the joy that truly makes Mr. Schu so beloved by so many of us!

[Louise · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a school teacher-librarian, I read this book for a meeting I’m attending. It was fantastic! I loved all of the book recommendations and classroom applications to help students make deeper connections to their own lives from stories. It has great insights to help inspire students to become lifelong readers.
I’ve also heard John Schu speak at a conference and I love his positive energy and enthusiasm for stories!

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5

[Mariya Ortiz · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you've ever been blessed to see Mr. Schu in real life, you'll know how passionate he is about connecting readers with great books. However, this book is an exploration of why he is so passionate. By understanding the ways story serves to connect, inspire, clarify, etc., teachers, librarians, and other people who dedicate their lives to creating readers will leave this book re-energized to continue to fight the good fight. The Gift of Story is just that: a gift. This is a must-read for every educator.

[Katie Reilley · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Gift of Story by John Schu is truly a gift for all readers. While reading, I found myself nodding along, highlighting passages that spoke to my heart, and feeling the same hope and joy as when I attended #nerdcampmi. His heartfelt words are a must read for teacher-librarians, classroom teachers, and administrators. ❤️📚

[Mark · Rating 5 out of 5]

Phenomenal! Mr. Schu shares his heart in this book through sharing stories, connections, excerpts from authors, teachers, and other professionals, classroom applications, and book recommendations (as always).

Thank you for this book, lots of emotions while reading and thinking about how to use this in my classroom and connecting it to myself as well.

[Tara Ethridge · Rating 5 out of 5]

A professional book that doesn't read at all like a professional book; instead, it feels like sitting down with the author and chatting about the power of books over a coffee. And what a great reminder that carving out time for stories is what helps kids (and us) heal, gain empathy, and connect. Loved everything about this book, including the wealth of recommendations.

[Alicia · Rating 4 out of 5]

I can look at the book a few different ways-- as a professional text as a school librarian, as an instructional tool as a professor teaching literature, to more deeply engage as a reader, and last, as an avenue to explain access points for book the way Nancy Pearl explains reading portals, Shu explains the gifts of story as healer, inspiration, clarifier, compassion, and/or connector.

This brief and focused text walks through the books of his heart and thus how we make books books of our hearts. He sprinkles in book recommendations. And then he gives a chapter dedicated to explaining each of the stories as... complete with examples from practitioners (administrators, teacher-librarians, counselors, etc.) and quotes by authors. It's compact and neatly organized to be a reminder (like Lesesne and Miller's Joy of Reading and that ilk). Definitely had Post-it's to revisit inspirational/aspirational items suggested as well as reminders about connections with students always takes the cake.

[Becky · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a beautiful book, both physically and in the words between every page! THE GIFT OF STORY offers readers an opportunity to learn the affective benefits to reading. Educators and parents will learn how stories can heal hearts and minds, inspire change and growth, clarify perspectives, build compassion, and connect all readers together. John shared so many book recommendations and various author’s share their personal insights to what story is.

The layout and organization of this book is easy to navigate and very engaging. THE GIFT OF STORY is a very special celebration of literacy. Be sure to pre-order right away!

[Theresa Burgess · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is literally a gift! I now have a list of books that I want to read, gifts for me! Plus, I now have the perfect gift for all of my book loving friends, especially teachers, librarians, and parents. It's that good! John Schu has written a celebration of the books we treasure and a guide to sharing just the right book with children.

[Bonnie Grover · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have had the joy of hearing Mr. Schu speak on a couple of different occasions. I am so happy to see his enthusiasm for reading and books come to life in the pages of this book. It makes my heart happy. I feel like this book should be in the hands of all teachers, administrators and librarians. For me it was a reminder of how important stories are to our very existence. Throughout the book you will find quotes from authors on what a story is and research supporting the importance of literacy beyond the academic benefits. Stories bring us together.

Dr. Susan Tan writes, “Story is so important. Stories are how we communicate, how we get to know each other, how we practice empathy and compassion, and how we broaden our imaginations and senses of who we are and who we can be.”

Throughout this book, you fill find lists of books and summaries that match the five affective elements of stories: story as clarifier, story as healer, story as inspiration, story as compassion, and story as connector.

I hope you will consider adding this to your professional library, passing a copy on to a fellow teacher, and adding more stories to your own library. This book is truly a celebration of hearts and the stories they hold dear.

[Katie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I first heard of Mr. Schu about 4 years ago when I attended a BER presentation in my new role as an elementary school paralibrarian. Since then, I have thoroughly enjoyed getting to know more of his dedicated work and passions for reading and theater via social media and the internet.
I enjoyed this book also, and was glad to finally have time to read it. In some ways it's also sad for me because our school relies heavily on AR programming, ZPDs, book levels and quizzing - so I feel limited in how much I can apply his knowledge & suggestions. It feels good, however, to get a reminder of the real value behind what I do, a lovely motivating pick-me-up, plus some good ideas for new books that I will be ordering for our library. Thanks Mr. Schu!

[Lisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you are a person who reads for pleasure often, why do you read? We all have requirements of reading in the workplace or for functioning in society. But choosing to read often is different. In this book Dr. Schu takes you back to those books that have stayed with you for most of your life. Which book do you associate with childhood? Love? Schu shares several book selections that have had a positive powerful impact on readers. Further, Dr Schu breaks down the impact of these books into five main categories: books as healers, books as inspiration, books as clarifiers, books as compassion, and books as connectors. Of your treasures, what books have had a profound impact and influence on you?

[Betsy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I bought this at the AISLE conference in Tinley Park, IL after being inspired and rejuvenated in a session with John Schu. Although we only chatted for a few minutes, I could hear his voice as I read his book and felt the connection that he talks about over and over again throughout the book. Every teacher, librarian, and parent should read this book. I took so many notes and got so many ideas about how to connect students with books and how much impact we can have on how students relate to books. When I retire, this will be my gift to the librarian who takes my place.