Book Review of "In the Middle"

Nancy Atwell wrote In the Middle in 1998 through Heinemann Publishers, Portsmouth, NH. Having just read this masterpiece of a mentor text, I am sure that many who have gone before me have already gained much knowledge from this book. Although the length of the book can be daunting, the wealth of information inside is well worth the time and energy.

Atwell takes the reader through a mental voyage of how she set in motion shifting her classes over from the traditional writing and reading instructional models to Writing and Reading Workshop. She candidly shares her failures and successes. Atwell also excels at standing on the shoulders of those who have gone before her. She eloquently hands out the names of the mentors who influenced her on her teaching journey.

Full of details and great organizational tips, Atwell helps the new and veteran workshop instructor find many necessary and applicable tools to successfully work with students and the intricate details of Workshop. Craft, mechanics, organization and great examples are jammed into this reference guide.

One of the keys to Atwell’s workshop success is her clear examples of how she writes with and in front of her class. Penny Kittle, in Write Beside Them, mentions how her own class lacked depth, until she risked the writing process in front of her students. She credits Nancy Atwell for encouraging her to take on this challenge and take her class to the next level of risk in their writing through this modeling process.

I strongly encourage anyone who is seeking guidance in Writing or Reading Workshops to read or re-read Nancy Atwell’s In the Middle.

Reviewed by Jeri Tarvin, TC '10

Review of "The Book Whisperer"

The first quote on the back of The Book Whisperer says it all: " . . . a primer of the heart on how to make reading magical again." ~ Carol Ann Tomlinson

We have to do what librarians have done for years. . . be experts of really good books for our students . . . guide them in the direction of their interests. We have to share the excitement and love of reading with our students. Basals, as a rule, do not do that. Donalyn Miller gives us the roadmap and encouragement to make the time to let students read and to make choices of what they read. You can still use the standards as a guide . . . you can sit in little book clubs and discuss the key elements of good writing as you are giving them the freedom to read. You still can use your school's assessments, because their reading will be better. . . they have practiced more reading by reading books than filling out worksheets. They have become excited about reading and aware of the good writing craft used by wonderful authors. With the emphasis on high ability students. . . giving them time to read is perfect. AND you can encourage and inspire even the reluctant reader. Thank you, Donalyn Miller, for inspiring me!

Reviewed by Shirley Thacker, TC '07