Category Archives: Book Reviews

These are the latest blog posts under the category Book Reviews

A Wonderful Advisory Resource

This book is an excellent resource for specific ideas & activities as well as the research that supports Advisory, says teacher educator Amanda Wall.

Research, Adventure & CCSS

Blend research into an adventure story? Kevin Hodgson says this intriguing book can help achieve standards for expository, informational & narrative writing.

Climbing Reading Ladders

Teacher Mark A. Domeier likes the concept behind Teri Lesesne’s reading ladders but says they'll have to be adapted to the realities of MS class size.

More Why To than How To

A book less about teaching comics & more about settings that let all students thrive by mixing conversation, art, storytelling & technology, says Kevin Hodgson.

Theory Rooted in Rich Research

The authors focus on an essential topic, says reviewer Fran Toomey: How do we activate, access & build background knowledge in learners?

The Educator’s Bible

This book "spectacularly delivers on its promise" to present a com- prehensive framework for great teaching, says Julie Dermody. "It's a career investment."

Building a Culture of Excellence

Reviewer Elisa Waingort finds Ron Berger’s 2003 book timeless and timely, with concrete suggestions for building a classroom culture of excellence.

Unpacking the Common Core

This teacher-friendly book helps us understand what the ELA CCSS really say & how to bring them to life in classes, writes reviewer Julie DeMicco.

Good Recipes for ELA Classrooms

Sarah Tantillo's banquet of tasty recipes for good literacy instruction are also a helpful ELA Common Core resource, says reviewer Linda Biondi.