It’s time to hit the books! This summer spend some time catching up on some great summer reads. There are some professional choices for educators, as well as, some summertime fiction. If your current favorite didn’t make the cut, leave a comment below letting us know what you’ll be reading this summer!
Editor’s Picks for Summer Reading
Professional Books for Educators
Teaching as Leadership: The Highly Effective Teacher’s Guide to Closing the Achievement Gap by Steven Farr
An inspiring book that discusses the key components to being a successful teacher based on what has been learned from studying Teach for America teachers. Watch for our upcoming feature on Teach for America at The Teacher’s Lounge!
Teach Like a Champion: 49 Techniques that Put Students on the Path to College by Doug Lemov
Lemov’s book provides great ideas with practical classroom application. It’s an energizing read!
Work Hard. Be Nice.: How Two Inspired Teachers Created the Most Promising Schools in America by Jay Mathews
Mathews writing style is engaging as he tells the story of how Knowledge is Power (KIPP) Schools came into being. Humorous, poignant and inspiring, this book is a definite summer must-read.
Summer Fiction
61 Hours: A Reacher Novel by Lee Childs
Lee Childs’ books may be geared more toward men, but there is just something about Jack Reacher, ex-military agent and lead character, that appeals to women too. It may be his quick thinking or rescue hero skills that make him so endearing, but whatever it is it makes this a perfect summer read. (The other Jack Reacher novels are must reads too!)
House Rules by Jodi Picoult
If you can get through the first two pages without having a heart attack, House Rules is the poignant story of a mom and son dealing with Asperger’s and how autism impacts family dynamics. Emotionally consuming like most of her other works, Picoult delivers a powerful story with intense characters.
Little Earthquakes by Jennifer Weiner
Jennifer Weiner has written quite a few books that have captured a coveted spot on the New York Times Bestseller’s List. Little Earthquakes, written in 2004, is one of my favorites. Motherhood does, indeed, change everything.
Sizzling Sixteen by Janet Evanovich
This next book in the Stephanie Plum series hits bookshelves on June 22nd, just in time for summer vacation. If you’ve never read a Stephanie Plum book, be prepared to laugh out loud while reading and for falling just a little bit for Ranger. Evanovich’s books are always quick reads that make you feel good at the end.
The Fey by Claudia Hall Christian
There is something about a strong female lead character that endears a woman to a book, and The Fey gives readers just that. Claudia Hall Christian captures the reader’s attention immediately to create one of those rare books that you just can’t put down. Thankfully, the second in the series, Learning to Stand, is just as good.
All of the books listed above are available through Amazon.com. If you read one of the books on this summer’s list, please leave a comment with your review. Your opinion and suggestions matter!
On a limb with Claudia says
Thanks for including The Fey in your summer reading list! I’m delighted you enjoyed the book! I hope it’s a happy addition to lots of people’s summer.
Tina in WA says
House Rules… was an amazing read. I had a hard time putting it down. It sure fits her pattern of the slam dunk endings that aren’t expected. Every teacher should read this book. It sure explains a lot about the autism spectrum and teachers will relate! I give it two thumbs up… A SUMMER MUST READ!
Elaine A. says
The Witch Doctor’s Wife by Tamar Myersis, a great story set in the Belgian Congo in the early 60’s.
Andrea C says
I wish I could say I am reading things I would like to read but I am reading mandatory readings for school… A Survival Guide for Teachers Discipline Strategies For the Bored, Belligerent, and Ballistic in Your Classroom by Carol Fuery. AND… The Global Achievement Gap Why Even Our Best Schools Don’t Teach The New Survival Skills Our Children Need – And What We Can Do about it by Tony Wagner.
Yep, so far it is a snoozefest!
Patti L. says
For teachers of K-2 Students working in Writing Workshop: Katie Wood Ray’s latest-In Pictures and In Words. the basic premise is that eveything that children draw or write is intentional and that we should build on that ( what children already know) in Writing Workshop. Easy read that makes perfect sense.
sherrie weerheim says
I always say that I will read a professional book in the summer. I have slowly cracked open Harry Wong book, but I have not read any of these featured books. I will definitely check them out.