The authors, seasoned educators, have carefully designed a literature-rich program for primary students. Based on the premise that lifelong literacy is best achieved in an environment where real books are celebrated, this book includes a 24-page bibliography of trade books ideal for classroom instruction. The authors have also categorized this list according to the needs of beginning, developing, and fluent readers.

As teachers know, even classrooms that provide a fine library of resources will fail their mission if appropriate teaching strategies are lacking. Hart-Hewins and Wells provide lesson plans for guided reading, and tips for arranging timetables and classroom space effectively.

While this book is a comprehensive and well-organized guide to exemplary whole language practice, its emphasis will not appeal to all primary teachers. During the past five years, many teachers have rediscovered reading programs that stress decoding, controlled vocabulary, and drill. Standardized testing and concerns about program accountability mean students must perform discrete language skills more proficiently at an earlier age. Loving literature has become secondary to acing the test.

Better Books! Better Readers! will win few converts among those in quest of lofty reading scores for every six-year-old in the class. However, there is still a place for this book in contemporary pedagogy. There are days when teachers and students can’t tolerate another work sheet, when the only blanks that must be filled are the empty spaces in the imagination. At that time, guided exploration of real books is the only answer.