Category: Book Reviews

Young, Gifted & Accelerated

College @13: Young, gifted, and purposeful, the story of 14 extremely gifted teenage girls who enter a Virginia early college program, is a valuable read for teachers, parents & other gifted teens, says reviewer Linda Rummell.

Getting Past the Textbook

Overcoming Textbook Fatigue: 21st Century Tools to Revitalize Teaching and Learning benefits teachers who feel an urgency to abandon textbook dependency and create more relevant and engaging lessons, says reviewer Susan Shaver.

Literacy Strategies that Work

Randy Bomer’s passion for literacy for all students is evident throughout Building Adolescent Literacy in Today‘s English Classroom. Reviewer Linda Biondi suggests close reading of this research & experience based book.

Better Teaching through Practice

Many teachers do not see skills development as an ongoing part of their job. Doug Lemov’s book, Practice Perfect: 42 Rules for Getting Better at Getting Better, offers a framework for better teaching through deliberate practice, says reviewer Renee Masterson.

Language Arts Fireworks!

In an era when imaginative exploration of language is missing from many ELA classrooms, Ralph Fletcher’s wonderful book, Pyrotechnics on the Page: Playful Craft that Sparks Writing, celebrates playful writing, says reviewer Kevin Hodgson.

Better Than Book Reports

Teachers will find creative alternatives to the traditional book report that tap into student interests and creative writing in Ban the Book Report: Promoting Frequent and Enthusiastic Reading, says reviewer Nicole Warchol.

How to Build Lifelong Readers

Reading Without Limits: Teaching Strategies to Build Independent Reading for Life, a practical guide to developing and sustaining lifelong readers, “almost brought me out of retirement,” says veteran middle grades teacher Beverly Maddox.

Teach Vocabulary Effectively

Vocabulary Strategies That Work: Do This – Not That! is an excellent book for all teachers who want to strengthen students’ grasp of the vocabulary associated with their subject, says ELA teacher Brooke Schultz.

Empowering Self-Driven Learners

In her review of Larry Ferlazzo’s Self-Driven Learning: Teaching Strategies for Student Motivation, Julie Dermody says, “Educators who read this book will become more effective teachers…better equipped to deal with daily challenges of motivating our students.”