Reading in the Wild: the Book Whisperer's Keys to Cultivating Lifelong Reading Habits Donalyn Miller
See a Trouble?
Thanks for telling us about the problem.
Friend Reviews
Reader Q&A
Community Reviews
It's piece of cake to skid into this kind of language. Isn't information technology? My friend. Donalyn Miller. Put the comma in and you qualify that your friend is, in fact, Donalyn Miller.
And then the pronouns come up knocking.
Donalyn Miller is my friend. Your friend. Our friend.
It'southward like shooting fish in a barrel. And for fans of THE Book WHISPERER, through which so many of usa were commencement acquainted with this dynamic reader/teacher, READING IN THE WI
That I get to review this book is 1 of the pleasures of having a friendship with Donalyn Miller.It'due south easy to slip into this kind of language. Isn't it? My friend. Donalyn Miller. Put the comma in and you qualify that your friend is, in fact, Donalyn Miller.
So the pronouns come knocking.
Donalyn Miller is my friend. Your friend. Our friend.
Information technology'southward like shooting fish in a barrel. And for fans of THE Book WHISPERER, through which then many of u.s.a. were first acquainted with this dynamic reader/instructor, READING IN THE WILD, is probably 1 of the most anticipated professional books fix to release in 2013. And this is a bold statement, I realize, but this is THE BOOK WHISPERER we are talking about here folks.
I have been in a crowded exhibition hall with Donalyn only to witness Kelly Gallagher come up up and playfully invite Donalyn to "whisper to him." I have sabbatum in the seat side by side to Donalyn equally Doug Fischer gave a playful nod to her during a keynote accost.
People know Donalyn Miller. I know Donalyn Miller. You know Donalyn Miller. Okay. . .let's just run them all out. . .Nosotros know Donalyn Miller.
And we know her through her willingness to share her philosophy and approach to reading that has worked for her in measurable and maybe immeasurable (the whole apple and seed matter) means. Her writing style is poised to be instructional but reads like information technology were e'er purposely invitational.
So, a book by Donalyn Miller, THE Book WHISPERER, is similar responding to that subtle invitation to expect inside the procedure. Donalyn Miller is all at one professionally personal and personally professional. It's a mix about of us would similar to aspire to, but perhaps nosotros are afraid of being mobbed in the halls of some annual convention. I think Donalyn welcomes this with her leadership in The Nerdy Book Order and her summer season #bookaday at Twitter, and her monthly chat, #TitleTalk that she co-hosts with super teacher Colby Sharp.
This is our friend. Donalyn Miller. She knows the power of inclusion as much as she appreciates the ability of entourage. Notice Donalyn Miller in whatsoever conference and y'all will find her with her people. Readers. Readers who had been looking for an adequate word to depict what they knew to be true of themselves when it came to books and reading.
That sense of being WILD. READERS IN THE WILD.
So, all of this to say, that I have read READING IN THE WILD. And I promised Donalyn that I would not quote any material from the book merely however. So I won't. And so, while this may read like a fan letter. . .okay. . .it's a kind a fan letter. I am a friend. And I am a fan.
When Donalyn asked if I would read an early copy of the book, how else could I accept responded. As a teacher in the field, I might have thought, "Yes. This is the book to which we have all been looking forward." But, equally a friend, I thought, "I get to interact with Donalyn through her writing. . .through her ideas."
And this is what makes READING IN THE WILD so very special. Those who know Donalyn know that she puts into practice what she offers from the pulpit. It's about readers. It's virtually books. It's as Teri Lesesne (@ProfessorNana) writes in the forward to the new book, "It'south near connection." And information technology's about approach. Information technology's nearly commemoration. And it's nearly honoring pick. It'due south about recognizing that at the end of the day, when all of the dust clears, information technology's going to be about a reader and a volume.
If this is what you need to know about READING IN THE WILD that will prompt y'all to pre-order your copy, then I offering this to you with my reputation for recommending practiced titles. Expert reads. Just I don't need to do this for Donalyn. Donalyn'southward name on a book or on a blog brings its own brownie as much equally it brings its own celebrity.
In the new volume, Donalyn non simply coins the term WILD READERS, she codifies the language that all of us will be using and sharing with our readers into the new school twelvemonth. Donalyn's use of Classroom Not-Negotiables demonstrates the serious nature of the business of book whispering while still maintaining a sense of community in the classroom.
With language culled from an extended customs of readers from across the Usa, Miller anchors her work with the voices of those who notice themselves in the state of "wild reading."
Donalyn brings the research into the new work, but only equally if to say, "These are the people I have read. This is what they have had to say. I want to share information technology with yous. In example you lot had not seen it." Donalyn has a fashion of bringing cited material to her work without pretense. It's her practice. And the Whisperer is actually bringing that exercise to the folio in her second offering to the professional person reading community.
On a personal annotation (as if this hasn't gone around the personal curve aleady), I dearest having the power and the standing invitation to call Donalyn to talk about. . .whatever. Unremarkably, it'due south books. We have a certain mode in which nosotros talk nigh books. I like to call it a Book Rush. We talk over each other. Around each other. Trying to get that new title or trying to all-time one another in some kind of connection. It'south like playing Words with A Friend. And I love it. But when my own children were on the receiving end of what nosotros might call "The Book Whisperer Gone Bad " (Teresa Bunner and Donalyn Miller), it was my friend Donalyn who was on the phone as both of united states were preparing to go into our separate classrooms. One in Texas. 1 in Indiana.
And we talked. Because with Donalyn, this piece of work is so very personal. I don't know that she would be perfectly comfy with my sharing the particulars of that chat, only I got to hear inside the eye of the whisperer on that very morning time. For anyone who has not had the opportunity to accept met Donalyn at the professional level, let lonely the personal, I will tell you lot. . .that heart is true. That center whispers. And it has something to say to y'all that is so important to what you do with your readers in your classroom, that I would implore you lot. . .if yous have not read THE BOOK WHISPERER, permit it be your introduction to my friend, Donalyn Miller.
...more
My 7 year quondam is quite an advanced reader for his age however I've noticed that that initial excitement that he had for reading has dulled a wee bit in recent months.
I had requested this book from my library quite some fourth dimension ago, and my plow finally cropped up; and then I've had to drib nigh of my other reading in order to read this before its due to keep on to the next requester. In all fairness though, the timing was perfect and I was happy to driblet my other books to concentrate on this one.My 7 year old is quite an advanced reader for his age all the same I've noticed that that initial excitement that he had for reading has dulled a wee bit in recent months. I still have to get to the bottom of that, to brand sure in that location are not any other underlying factors – simply I'yard really thinking that it's a case of the "new, shininess" of reading has worn off somewhat and it'due south no longer a novelty that he can read exciting books and that lately he's been more interested in Lego and dragons.
In any case, this volume came along at a dandy time. You may think my review of this authors first book titled Book Whisperer: https://world wide web.goodreads.com/review/bear witness...
At that place was soooo much I loved nearly this book:
The numerous, practical suggestions for instilling this idea into children that they are readers and lilliputian tips on how they might organize their reading life as such. Fifty-fifty such elementary things equally trying to plant the seed in their minds that readers always behave books to read during spare moments throughout the twenty-four hours. This may seem obvious – but kids don't necessarily have the skill set yet to organize their days and it is probably an aha moment for them when they realize that packing their book into a pocketbook when they become out might somewhen become as ingrained as brushing their teeth. And its these little tips that contribute towards helping a child to view himself as a READER! Brilliant! We want our kids to see themselves as people who are serious readers!
I LOVED her ideas on curating a classroom library – many of which were transferable to dwelling house-libraries.
I LOVED her chapter on edifice a personal canon (even though it was way also short).
Some things I didn't beloved about the book:
I don't desire to negate the wonderful rapport and trust she'south built with her students. This is truly priceless. I do still find myself wondering why she stops short of trying to inspire her students to read more classical works; of trying to inspire her students to develop an appetite for works that are more richly layered. I'one thousand non sure if it'southward considering she doesn't see the value in them or if it's because she doesn't want to compromise the trust that she's earned in recommending the "cool" books that she knows her students will like.
In a like vein, I found myself getting bellyaching at the emphasis of "quantity" over "quality"… I'm non sure if the writer is aware of how much she emphasizes this or whether it is an intentional part of her programme to get kids reading. She talks virtually reading a book a mean solar day during the summertime and as much as I'thousand a pretty prolific reader – I shuddered when I heard this. It reminded me of someone binging on television receiver, sitting mindlessly in forepart of a television receiver and passively taking in the information but doing nada with it. For me an integral role of reading is the marinating period – when one must take time to reflect and respond to what I've but read. If you are intent on coming together some kind of volume-a-mean solar day quota, I Take to believe that it's at the expense of a marinating period. But then again, I take to wonder if the books that she reads Require a steeping menstruation. I recollect what it boils down to is that the author'southward reason for reading differs greatly from my ain reasons for reading.
And in case this sounds negative, I have to reiterate once more that I am and then thankful that in that location are reading mentors out at that place who are passionate about passing along a love of reading to the next generation. Children are blessed to have such a mentor.
I just wish this mentor would have the next (for me) logical step towards inspiring her mentees to include some classical works in their to-read lists or at least to institute the seed that this would exist an inspired "next stride" for them to reach towards.
...more
Donalyn's philosophy is uncomplicated: if you desire kids to be good readers, let them read. That'south actually all it is. Teachers need to provide plenty of independent reading fourth dimension for students at school.
I firmly believe in the power of independent reading. Even when I was pedagogy kickoff class, I allow the students pick which volume
Every teacher everywhere should read Donalyn Miller's books. I admittedly love and agree with everything she says. Her books justify everything I believe near reading instruction.Donalyn's philosophy is simple: if you want kids to exist good readers, let them read. That's really all it is. Teachers need to provide plenty of contained reading fourth dimension for students at school.
I firmly believe in the ability of contained reading. Even when I was educational activity first form, I let the students selection which books they wanted to read and it worked perfectly. The yr I stopped focusing on crazy lesson plans and focused more on the business concern of reading, was also, incidentally, the year their cease of year test scores significantly increased.
What's interesting, is that Donalyn's method is so unproblematic, that teachers doubt it. The fact is, how tin students learn to love reading if they don't actually go to read?
To back up contained reading, students need to have a large pick of books bachelor. Classroom libraries should be large and diverse. They should be total of modernistic reading materials. Books students dearest, should be the books that make full the shelves.
For teachers to be good reading mentors, they should exist familiar with popular children's novels. How can teachers back up blossoming readers, if they aren't readers themselves?
Reading is my life. I read when I'm happy, when I'm sad, when I need a suspension, when I want to learn - I read for every reason. I love helping children notice joy in books. I dear all of Donalyn's suggestions, and I will definitely exist implementing a few more ideas with my fourth graders.
...more than
We have to rethink our office every bit reading passenger vehicle, interventionist, teacher, facilitator, etc., and assume the mantel of sensei. I use the Japanese word for instructor, mentor, or master as we traditionally associate it equally
Quite literally, this volume led me to Goodreads.com! Donalyn Miller is truly an inspired educator who has so much to offer veteran and novice teachers in regards to our role in the reading development of our students! If I was a main, information technology would be required reading for my teachers.We accept to rethink our role every bit reading coach, interventionist, teacher, facilitator, etc., and assume the mantel of sensei. I use the Japanese discussion for teacher, mentor, or master as nosotros traditionally associate it as Americans with martial arts. Pedagogy reading is also an art, one that requires constant dedication and discipline if nosotros are to become leaders of reading. A change in thinking is required to inspire the modern reader.
This is simply one of the finest books I have read as a teacher and has had a nifty impact on who I am as an educator today!
...more
And the book is eve
Boy! Looking at all the wonderful reviews written already, what's left to say? And the amazing thing is that the book hasn't even been released however! I got an ARC every bit a gift from Donalyn at the New England Reading Association where I was receiving a special recognition award. I was virtually as excited most getting this souvenir equally I was about the award. In fact, for weeks later, whenever someone said, "Let me see your accolade,". I'd show it to them and then say, "Look what else I got!"And the book is everything I hoped information technology would be. I wasn't more than a chapter in before I was sending an electronic mail out to teachers in my SU, inviting them to bring together me in a volume study once the book is released.
As expected, this book is an easy read. Donalyn has a wonderfully engaging voice equally a writer (gee, I wonder if she picked that up from reading so many books), and she speaks mutual sense that often gets disregarded in our "gotta prepare them to exercise well on standardized tests" nation. Permit'south face it folks! We've got to get them to that betoken of no return- that place where nothing can plough off their zeal for reading by getting books they will exist interested in reading in their hands and giving them time to read. Hmmmm....I think Donalyn has a proper noun for that....oh aye .....Reading in the Wild!
So, accept a twenty-four hour period or two, put your feet up, have a pencil and pad of paper, highlighters, or IPAD available for notation taking, and enjoy! You won't exist distressing!
...more
I devoured Miller'southward first book "The Book Whisperer" and couldn't wait to read this i. While the Volume Whisperer was more inspirational reading than a how-to, I still felt like I gained a lot of insight in to a classroom that celebrates reading. I bought "Reading in the Wild" because I liked the premise of instilling lifelong reading habits in children.
There's a lot of information in this volume to support points and a lot of wonderful strategies to
I really want to requite this book 3.five stars but oh well.I devoured Miller's first book "The Book Whisperer" and couldn't await to read this one. While the Book Whisperer was more than inspirational reading than a how-to, I however felt similar I gained a lot of insight in to a classroom that celebrates reading. I bought "Reading in the Wild" because I liked the premise of instilling lifelong reading habits in children.
At that place'southward a lot of data in this book to support points and a lot of wonderful strategies to attempt, simply I felt similar something was missing. It could be considering I'1000 coming from an simple position while Miller's suggestions seemed to geared more towards heart school students merely I felt like most of the tips could be boiled downward to "get the kids to read. If they don't want to read, keep handing them books until they desire to read."
However I practise plan on taking some of Miller'southward suggestions in to my own classroom to promote a reading environs, especially things like the book commercials and the book lotteries, which I retrieve would be great in edifice excitement for younger kids. Information technology'due south a not bad read, peculiarly if you lot've read Book Whisperer!
...more
In improver, I retrieve the instructor focus of this book can be useful for parents. I believe I
Disclaimer: I did non read her commencement volume, and I am not a teacher. I debated whether to purchase this book considering information technology is obviously written for teachers. Simply I call back nigh of the volume is incredibly relevant to parents every bit well. I dearest the idea of scaffolding while allowing my children to cull books they enjoy. Mrs. Miller'southward book really got me excited to go my kids reading, and to explore their volume preferences.In addition, I think the instructor focus of this book can be useful for parents. I believe I am more empowered to speak to my kids' teachers about language arts curriculum. I feel better equipped to evaluate what is going on in my kids' classrooms. These things are very of import to me.
I would love to see a future book or article focused on what and how parents can support their kids reading habits. This book is chock-full of bully information and I volition be referencing it in the years to come. And I completely chronicle to Mrs. Miller about the V.C. Andrews books in the closet!
...more
Miller's enthusiasm for reading is infectious and wonderful. I applaud her for that. She also deserves recognition for sparking conversations, and more specifically to me, sparking me to re-call back how I approach my teaching entering my 25th year. For that solitary, I recommend reading this volume.
I am a critical
This is the follow-up to The Book Whisperer: Awakening the Inner Reader in Every ChildThe Book Whisperer. I saw some teachers on a FB grouping I am a member of speaking of the merits of this book.Miller'due south enthusiasm for reading is infectious and wonderful. I applaud her for that. She besides deserves recognition for sparking conversations, and more specifically to me, sparking me to re-remember how I approach my teaching entering my 25th yr. For that lonely, I recommend reading this book.
I am a critical reader and Miller provides fodder. She paints straw human being arguments to support her claims. "Some teachers mandate students read only on their lexile level." And because of that, leveling a library on lexiles is a no-go according to her. Entering my 25th twelvemonth, I merely finished leveling on lexile (sub-genre) because I recognize my students demand guidance to select books that they are able to read.
Miller touts To-Read lists. And while I am not confronting encouraging students to do so, her reasoning includes all lifelong readers do this. She couples this with "groaning bookshelves" and other depictions of hoarding books. As someone who has recovered from those two items, I tin can attest that shunning the To-Read listing and altruistic the books provides freedom dissimilar I could ever imagine. I just finished her volume and there is zero I "accept to" read because of the "groaning bookshelves". I now go to determine what the next book volition be. Love it!
So, there were opportunities to quibble with this panacean arroyo to the classroom. Overall, she provided a lot of things to recall about incorporating. I suspect I have more Kindle Notes on this volume than whatever other I have read (Just checked: 115 notes).
One matter that was not addressed well that needs to exist considered by all teachers who leave this volume pumped and ready to go at it is: where do the grades come from?
We alive in a earth where nosotros form our students and demand to document those grades. And yeah, the holistic reading Miller espouses talks about documenting how Johnny reads. But the masses need guidance on how to convert that into a grade that represents the students' reading abilities on their written report cards. That is the discussion I next want to have.
Proficient book. I doubtable I will refer to information technology oftentimes.
...more than
Reading in the Wild is targeted at teachers, but whatever wild reader or parent should notice something useful hither, fifty-fifty if it's just understanding the importance of reading - there are a number of interesting facts and statistics given - or her 5 characteristics of wild readers
Confession: I am a wild reader, at least by Miller's definition. I always carry a volume (in some form) along with my keys, wallet and phone. (I may forget my lunch, but not my volume!) Reading is equally natural to me as animate.Reading in the Wild is targeted at teachers, but any wild reader or parent should notice something useful here, even if it'south merely understanding the importance of reading - at that place are a number of interesting facts and statistics given - or her 5 characteristics of wild readers:
1) They dedicate fourth dimension for reading. (In my example, that's audiobooks for the commute, reading at lunch, earlier bed, while waiting in line, and any other time I go 3+ minutes.)
2) They choose their own books, using personal interest, genre, and recommendations to do so.
3) They share books, recommendation and discuss reading with other readers. (As you're on GR, that'due south a nifty start!)
4) They plan to continue reading, with to-read lists/stacks.
5) They take preferences for authors, genres, subjects or styles.
Through this volume, Miller discusses each i of these characteristics and how to encourage children to go on going, to surmount obstacles and to become truly wild readers, not merely those who only read because y'all asked them to. She discusses her processes and methods for inspiring them and recording their reading progress, and includes the forms at the back of the volume. (In fact, that's my merely criticism: that the last 5th of the volume was the appendices and forms!)
If you're a wild reader, or someone trying to raise one, you'll notwithstanding become enough out of this book, especially if you're trying to notice good books for center-schoolers, as their favorite books in each genre are listed at the back.
...more
I am also thankful for the enquiry and information I can laissez passer on to my admin. We don't always run across middle to heart A must have for English/Language Arts teachers and school administrators. This companion to The Book Whisperer will help you help your students to become lifelong "wild" readers. I have been following Donalyn Miller'due south blogs and on Twitter and she knows what works. I have get much meliorate at recommending titles since I started reading more YA books and investing in my classroom library.
I am likewise thankful for the research and information I can pass on to my admin. We don't always see eye to eye on the value of independent reading time without a product or "proof" of reading. Thank you for echoing that wild readers don't want to practise a diorama, write a book study, write diary entries equally characters, or write theme essays later nosotros read books for pleasance. Sharing/discussing books-that is achievable!
I can't wait to use the info from the book when I go back to my classroom in January!! ...more
"Reading changes your life. Reading unlocks worlds unknown or forgotten, taking travelers effectually the world and through time. Reading helps you escape the confines of schoolhouse and pursue your own instruction. Through characters - the saints and the sinners, real or imagined - reading shows yous how to be a amend human being existence."
I fabricated then many notes reading this book I practically wrote my ain! There are so many practical ideas to take straight into classroom or library practise.
Reading in the Wild"Reading changes your life. Reading unlocks worlds unknown or forgotten, taking travelers around the world and through time. Reading helps you escape the confines of school and pursue your ain pedagogy. Through characters - the saints and the sinners, real or imagined - reading shows yous how to exist a better man being."
I fabricated and so many notes reading this volume I practically wrote my own! At that place are so many practical ideas to have directly into classroom or library practice. And then there's the ideas to think near and adapt to your ain cultural and ecology settings.
Recommended for ALL teachers. Not just principal. And not just English. ALL.
...more
News & Interviews
Welcome back. Just a moment while we sign yous in to your Goodreads account.
Source: https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/17196305
0 Response to "Reading in the Wild: the Book Whisperer's Keys to Cultivating Lifelong Reading Habits Donalyn Miller"
Post a Comment