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Literacy
Talk

Reflections on Literacy Learning and Literacy Teaching

Suggested Books

These books offer important perspectives on reading, thinking, and learning. They are not listed in any particular order. We'll add more titles periodically. Click on a title to get to the book.

Routman, R. (2024). The Heart-centered Teacher: Restoring Hope, Joy, and Possibility in Uncertain Times. Reflections and words of wisdom based on the observations of an experienced professional who aims to "nourish your heart, mind, and spirit."

Liwanag, M., Kim, K.J., & Martens, P. (Eds.). (2021). Understanding Literacy Using Eye Movement Miscue Analysis in a Global World. Informative discussion of the reading process as observed by eye movement researchers.

Goodman, K.S., Fries, P.H., & Strauss. S.L. (2016). Reading: The Grand Illusion: How and Why People Make Sense of Print. An informative look at the reading process from cognitive, linguistic, and neurological perspectives.

Gopnik, A., Meltzoff, A.N., & Kulk, P.K. (1999). The Scientist in the Crib: Minds, Brains, and How Children Learn. A discussion of children's cognitive development from infancy that reveals the capacities children bring to school.

Allington, R.L. (2002). Big Brother and the National Reading Curriculum: How Ideology Trumped Evidence. A thorough discussion of the negative implications of the work done by the National Reading Panel in 2000.

Newkirk, T. (2024). The Broken Logic of "Sold a Story": A Personal Response to "The Science of Reading." A concise, informative critique of the Sold-A-Story podcast posted at the Literacy Research Commons.

Flurkey, A.D., Paulson, E.J. & Goodman, K.S., (Eds.). (2008). Scientific Realism in Studies of Reading. Significant, revealing research into the reading process that has often been overlooked.

Johnston, P.H. (2004). Choice Words: How Our Language Affects Children's Learning. An insightful and highly useful discussion of teacher-student interactions.

Strauss, S.L. (2005). The Linguistics, Neurology, and Politics of Phonics: Silent "E" Speaks Out. A detailed examination of the current science-of-reading perspective from an expert in linguistics and neurology.

Routman, R. (2018). Literacy Essentials: Engagement, Excellence and Equity for All Learners. A great resource to help K-12 teachers become the responsive, effective professionals they want to be.

Morrow, L.M., Morrell, E. & Casey, H.K. (2023). Best Practices in Literacy Instruction, Seventh Edition. A classic. Chapter 1 is a highly useful review of research and analysis of current perspectives in reading.

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