It’s All About the Books: How to Create Bookrooms and Classroom Libraries That Inspire Readers

It took me a while to read Clare & Tammy's book. As I was reading it my school was going through a process of refreshing our book room. We ended up going in a direction that in no way matches what Clare and Tammy propose, and honestly, it was painful to contrast the possibilities presented in It's All About the Books with the decisions made at my school, so I had to put the book aside for a while.The intentional, thoughtful vision Clare and Tammy propose for the bookroom would be an amazing resource for students and teachers. They have lots of innovative ideas about how bookrooms can support every aspect of a balanced literacy/workshop approach, realizing that teachers need access to text for all of the elements of balance literacy: yes, guided reading, but also read aloud, shared reading, book clubs, mentor text for crafts of writing and writing structures, genre studies, grade level units/topics, literary elements and devices, AND INDEPENDENT READING! Because “Having the right book at the right time is often the most important instructional move we can make to support our students." They offer an expansive vision of a “bookroom” that far exceeds what I’ve previously imagined. To have all of these resources at my fingertips would be a dream come true. The thoughtful and intentional vertical articulation of units and books described would provide an amazing depth of understanding for students, but also for teachers as they collaborate to gather and organize the best books for their purposes. I'm grateful to have this vision of the possibilities so that I can continue to advocate for a more expansive view of the bookroom and for more funding.The sections on classroom libraries gave me manageable next steps for improving my already substantial (self-funded) classroom library to make it more student-friendly and intentional. Clare & Tammy inspired me to do some much-needed weeding that revealed holes that need filling, and I can't wait to get started on that!It's All About the Books has readers—and their teachers— at its heart. Clare & Tammy recognize that “Levels, percentages, and benchmarks mean nothing if we don’t also focus on developing a student’s reading life.” The chapters on supporting readers' choice and agency with books and organizing books for instruction are both loaded with inspiration and resources for taking my readers to the next level. And best of all? All proceeds from the sale of It's All About the Books go to one of my favorite organizations: The Book Love Foundation, specifically to fund elementary classroom libraries!

This book is full of inspiring ideas for teachers and librarians about designing kid-centered and kid-friendly libraries. I am newly inspired to involve my third graders in organizing and labeling our book baskets this year. i am also excited to make my classroom library look more like a book store with attractive book displays. This book is full of ideas you can use tomorrow to help your student become lifelong readers. The authors are donating all of the royalties to the nonprofit Book Love that helps gets books into teenagers hands.

Awesome! I was in the middle of preparing a presentation on classroom libraries when this came, and they echoed what I was saying to teachers and more. The supplemental resources are great, but most importantly, it's easy to read! Teachers always put aside a ton of professional texts to read over the summer and never get to them. This is one that you can read in an afternoon and then be inspired to head to school and get to work on your classroom library!!!

Not only was this a valuable and researched base text but the author made it real and feasible. It was perfect for a book study with colleagues this year. Although I wish this book was published a couple years ago when I was trying to organize my library, I am so excited to go back in this year and apply what I have learned from Tammy and Clare’s recommendations! Time to go to the Dollar Store to buy more book baskets!!!

This book is a fantastic read for any classroom teacher, Reading Specialist/Coach or elementary administrator looking to build a love of reading in their school. Such practical advice and tips and a quick and easy read for teachers makes for a winning combination! Tammy and Clare share such phenomenal experience and expertise to this book.... It’s one that I keep by my desk and refer back to my notes often! Has already earned a spot in my most valued resources!

A quick read, because you can jump around to the parts that are relevant to you. A terrific reminder of what matters in reading and in building a reading life for your students.

It was very helpful to see tips on the best way to organize my library and to teach the students the new system.

What questions do you most desperately need answered about classroom libraries or bookroom collections? Tammy and Clare have the answers for you! Practical. Thoughtful. And managed on a budget. In fact, they recommend a five year plan for book acquisition. If you want students to be lifelong readers, this book will help you rethink how you provision and design all your best tools - your books - to maximize student engagement!This book includes: the research-based why, the practical answers, and additional thoughts from students and teachers as well as how to plan with some forms to get you started with inventory. "If students read more - more texts they choose and can read - they will become lifelong readers." This book will help teachers "refresh" and "redefine" their classroom libraries as they also collaborative develop a common bookroom resource! IT IS ALL ABOUT THE BOOKS!