A Book Review of Reading Together: Everything You Need to Know to Raise a Child Who Loves to Read

Starting at an early age, the adults in a child's life can foster a love of learning. Keep books available at all times, and find multiple times of day to read. Do this in the classroom by placing books in every area and provide comfortable places to read.

Begin to instill a love for reading by allowing students to observe everyone reading around them. When reading aloud to children, keep the story as it is, without editing the words and sentences, to maintain its magic. Avoid turning reading time into a vocabulary lesson or constantly giving editorials about the plot. These topics are best covered in separate lessons or following the reading of the book.

Allow for stories to be read over and over, even listening to them as audio books. Leave the book in an accessible place in the classroom after it is read aloud, so that children can experience it in a new way.

Choose books that are of interest to the child, not necessarily to the adult. Children's tastes are just as unique as adults' tastes, and they need to be given the option of expressing their opinions. Just remember, those books that thrill your students this year, may not be the same books the following year.

After determining which books speak to the class, continue with quality books of a similar vein. Then, follow-up the reading of a book with a conversation about the book. Use Diane's suggested extended reading activities contained within the book for ideas.

Part one of Diane's book includes a comprehensive list of 101 great titles to share with children. The first section contains 31 picture books that are great for reading aloud. Next are 37 books geared toward the early to middle elementary years, some of which can be read to slightly younger children. Finally, 33 more books are given to encourage middle to upper elementary students to read. Teachers can use these suggestions as a foundation for choosing books to be shared in the classroom, as well as guiding parents wanting to know what to read at home with their families.

Two pages of information are dedicated to each featured book. Included on these pages are a short story synopsis as well as questions to ask after reading the book. Some questions are simple- who, what, where, when, why, and how questions; the others are more in depth and require more thought and discussion. Also included on each page are suggested follow-up books that may also be enjoyed.

The questions can be used in both a one-on-one situation as well as in a group situation, to provoke conversation. They teach reading comprehension as well as a love of reading.

Conversational reading can go beyond simple questions asked about the nuts and bolts of the book itself. Subject conversations take the main theme of a book and apply it to the child's world around them. Part two of the book provides sample questions to ask about topics ranging from feelings and attitudes, to bullies and challenges, to courage and self-reliance. Start with simple questions that have easier answers to segue into longer, deeper conversations. Revisit the topics at different points with the child for newly developed perspectives. Explore the topics in a variety of literary ways.

Obviously there are more than 101 great books for children available. Diane devotes the last section of her book to providing even more lists of books. These are divided by age level, as well as genre. Use the questions and activities from the previous 101 books to help formulate new questions for these books.

If you are looking for a great resource to help with instilling the love of reading in your students or children at home, then don't miss this one! It is a keeper!