This book has so many helpful and practical strategies for reading short texts and writing short texts. The author did a good job of emphasizing that teachers shouldn’t ONLY use short texts - reading full novels and plays is still important, but starting with shorter texts can build student confidence. I appreciated the specific strategies, including how to adjust tools for different grade levels or even different classes (e.g., history or science, not just English/Language Arts). I feel validated in some strategies I’m already using, and hopeful about trying some new tools, too!

I’m a bit disappointed that the book included some suggestions for how to use AI, because the more I learn about AI, the more I’m convinced that it’s unethical (unless used for necessary medical purposes), and I definitely don’t think we should outsource our teaching to AI. The book is right to point out that humans must stay at the center of teaching, including lesson planning and giving feedback, because we have the true intelligence and compassion and nuance necessary to give our students the instruction and care they need. I also felt that in the section on feedback, it would have been stronger to use standards-based rubrics.

Overall, this is a short and sweet guide with so many great strategies for teachers. I give it 4.5 stars rounded up to 5, and recommend it warmly to educators.

Thank you to NetGalley and Teacher Created Materials for the free eARC. I post this review with my honest opinions. This review is crossposted on Goodreads, and will be posted on Amazon and Instagram within a week of the book’s publication.