Summer means longer days, bare feet, barbeques, suntan lotion, and great books to read. Without papers to grade and lessons to plan, we can finally kick up our feet and at long last dig into that stack of books piled up by our beds!

p: ruminatrix via photopin cc

It is important for us as educators to read—to experience firsthand not only the reading strategies we teach our students, but most importantly the joy of lifelong reading for pleasure. Donalyn Miller, sixth grade teacher and popular author of THE BOOK WHISPERER: AWAKENING THE INNER READER IN EVERY CHILD (Jossey-Bass, 2009), suggests the power of sharing your reading life with your students by explaining what you find interesting, appealing, or challenging in the books you are reading. She says it is important for students to trust us not only as their teacher but as a fellow reader.

Are you a true reader? What does it mean to “be a reader”? This past school year I decided to come clean and admit I’ve not always been a reader. Usually the students or teachers I am in front of quietly stare at me in disbelief. Then I explain that I read in school but didn’t learn to LOVE reading until, at 26 years old, I married into a reading family where books made their way into dinner table discussions. Heads nod and once in awhile a teacher will pull me aside to privately admit that he or she still doesn’t really love to read but is working on it.

Researchers point to evidence that as a group, teachers may not be reading much for enjoyment (Lesley, Watson, & Elliott, 2007). One may argue that the demands of teaching and personal lives cause teachers to do very little personal reading. The National Endowment for the Arts (2007) study “To Read or Not to Read” concluded that Americans are reading a lot less. Many adults do not read even one book a year.

Plenty of people know how to read but are not true readers. A reader reads often, talks about books with others, and passes judgment on books (Oczkus, 2012). Readers carry their treasured books in purses, backpacks, and totes, allowing the pages or digital devices to transport them at a moments notice (Oczkus, 2012).

Regie Routman (2003) suggests we keep a log of our reading as teachers and share our reading habits with students. Over the years I’ve not always been able to share every title due to the nature of the subject matter in adult novels (such as murder mysteries). However, I do report how many books I’m reading at the same time and my thoughts on reading. I am a bit behind this year as I read more nonfiction texts related to Common Core Standards. Excuses, excuses! This summer, I am ready to get lost in some great fiction and nonfiction reads. And my son (age 21) and I are reading and discussing books related to our faith (at his request!).

Here is a sampling of what is in my summer book stash. Please note that for each book I’ve included an explanation of why I want to read it and of WHO brought me to the book. This information will be important to share with students as we teach them to be part of a community of readers.

Lori’s Summer Book List

Book: BEHIND THE BEAUTIFUL FOREVERS: LIFE, DEATH, AND HOPE IN A MUMBAI UNDERCITY by Katherine Boo (Random House, 2012)

Why I’m reading it: I’ve seen it in the reviews and am curious. Is one of the year’s best books on several lists. It takes place in India, in the Annawadi slum where the author lived for three years.

Who recommended it? My neighbor handed it to me when I was out walking the dog. Her book club loved it!

Book: LOTS OF CANDLES, PLENTY OF CAKE by Anna Quindlen (Random House, 2012)

Why I’m reading it: I am a huge Anna Quindlen fan, so when one of her books comes out I rush to read it. This is a collection of her essays, my favorite genre of hers, about friendships, solitude, family in light of a big birthday.

Who recommended it? I saw a review in the newspaper.

Book: LEAN IN: WOMEN, WORK AND THE WILL TO LEAD by Sheryl Sandberg (Random House, 2013)

Why I’m reading it: This is on the bestseller list, too, and is the topic of women and their progress. Thirty years after women became 50 percent of the college graduates in America, men still hold the majority of leadership positions in government and industry. Need I say more?

Who recommended it? A friend of mine is on Sheryl’s launch team for the Lean In community. Plus Sheryl is everywhere in the news right now!

Book: UNBROKEN: A WORLD WAR II STORY OF SURVIVAL, RESILIENCE, AND REDEMPTION by Laura Hillenbrand (Random House, 2010)

Why I’m reading it: I gravitate to all WWII stories. This is a true POW inspiring account.

Who recommended it? A teacher friend who boasted that all her middle school reluctant readers (especially boys) devoured it. Just look at the Amazon reviews; most of them five-star—4,685 and counting!

Book: THE SILVER STAR by Jeannette Walls (Simon & Schuster, 2013)

Why I’m reading it: I have read GLASS HOUSES and other books by this author and I love her style. This is about a girl who challenges injustices in the adult world.

Who recommended it? Our local bookstore sent their monthly email, featuring this book.

PROFESSIONAL BOOKS

Book: CLOSE READING OF INFORMATIONAL TEXTS: ASSESSMENT-DRIVEN INSTRUCTION IN GRADES 3-8 by Sunday Cummins (Guilford Press, 2012)

Why I’m reading it: I am reading everything I can find on close reading.

Who recommended it? My friend, Joan Masaryk does book reviews for reading councils and raved about this one.

Book: SUMMER READING: CLOSING THE RICH/POOR READING ACHIEVEMENT GAP (LANGUAGE & LITERACY) by Richard Allington and Anne McGill Franzen (Teachers College Press & International Reading Association, 2013)

Why I’m reading it: We tried Dr. Allington’s idea for giving kids to read in the summer at one of my schools with great success. I want more!

Who recommended it? I heard about this one from the International Reading Association.

What’s on YOUR summer reading list? Please share!

Lori D. Oczkus is a literacy coach, author, and popular speaker across the United States. Tens of thousands of teachers have attended her motivating, fast-paced workshops and read her practical, research-based professional books. Lori has extensive experience as a bilingual elementary teacher, intervention specialist working with struggling readers, and staff developer and literacy coach. Her most recent book with IRA is BEST EVER LITERACY SURVIVAL TIPS: 72 LESSONS YOU CAN’T TEACH WITHOUT.

References

Lesley, M., Watson, P., & Elliot, S. (2007). ‘School’ reading and multiple texts: Examining the metacognitive development of secondary-level preservice teachers. Journal of Adolescent & Adult Literacy, 51(2), 150–162.

Miller, D. (2009). The book whisperer: Awakening the inner reader in every child. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass.

National Endowment for the Arts. (2007). To read or not to read: A question of national consequence. Washington, DC: Author.

Oczkus, L. (2012). Best ever literacy survival tips: 72 lessons you can’t teach without. Newark, DE: International Reading Association.

Routman, R. (2003). Reading essentials: The specifics you need to teach reading well. Portsmouth, NH: Heinemann.



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