Notice & Note - This book totally changed how I think about close reading and literature units. In the past, I would have students select one book out of three or four choices to read and then we would meet as a group and discuss our lit. circle roles. After reading Notice & Note, now I am teaching my students to look for "sign posts" or important aspects that are found in children's literature. Finding things like "ah ha" moments can help students use details from a text to determine theme or character development. It allows them to think more deeply about a text and have a more complex discussion than my students were when we used the lit. circle roles. If you haven't read this book, I highly suggest it!

The Book Whisperer - I was very late to the party with this book. I read it this fall for one of my grad classes. Talk about confirmation! I found myself nodding my head and shouting YES! Donalynn gets it - she knows how important it is to get our students reading and that the best way to do that is to let them read and read books of their own choosing. If you're like me and missed this book when it came out, ask around, find a copy and get ready to feel empowered!

Readicide - The last book I want to share with you is Readicide. Kelly Gallagher discusses how teachers are killing the love of reading for our students. His focus is mostly on high school but his points match with what I see happening in upper elementary schools as well. While it sounds like it would be a disappointing book, he doesn't just wallow in what we are doing wrong. He also offers suggestions for how we can fix this problem. Adding voice and choice - not free reign but controlled choice - helps students to get back that love of reading. Making sure we do not "over-teach" or "under-teach" books but walk a fine line between the two - that is how we hook our students. Do you feel frustrated about how little care and passion your students have for reading? Check out Gallagher's book and see if you can help them find that passion!

What are some of your favorite professional texts? Don't forget to check out everyone else's favorite things!