How the Brain Learns to Read

I was a bit skeptical about purchasing the book initially because books on brain research can be so technical to the brain novice that it can be overwhelming. However, this book blew me away right from the beginning because it was easy to read even though it was filled with research done on the reading brain. What really made the book 5 stars for me was that in addition to the research cited, it gave tons and tons of examples, charts, and itemized lists with explanations of how the information should be used in the classroom. It helped me to understand why kids can read well but have no comprehension skills whatsoever. This book is definitely for anyone who teaches kids to read. I am a new Reading Specialist so this is just what I need to help my intervention groups.The book covers the entire spectrum of readers--from kindergarten to high school--and gives specific information to reach each group. Especially helpful to me as a Reading Specialist were the sections on identifying students with reading problems and how to provide specific interventions for them. During my first year as a Reading Specialist at a primary school, I realized that many of the first graders were struggling to read because their background in phonemic awareness was very weak. This book gave me the exact information I needed and what to emphasize and how.Be aware, though, the chapters are long. I read the book in a few days because I couldn't put it down. There was just so much information in each chapter, I had to put it down and take a break because I felt I had "brain overload". I have highlighted sooooo many paragraphs that my book looks like a coloring book (lol). I am using the information in a workshop that I'm preparing for the teachers at my school. It assisted me with the research information and I didn't have to do it. Saved me a lot of time. Thanks to Dr. David Sousa for an amazingly excellent publication.LS

This is an excellent book on this topic - an important read for every teacher. I give it 5 stars for excellent and updated information.HOWEVER, this book has a major problem in the Kindle format -- the graphs and charts are impossible to read because the print is so small. Enlarging the font does not help. Too bad. This book cost too much on Kindle to have the charts unreadable.

Sped teacher here...excellent and easy read. More than what you need to know but very thorough. Not necessary for teaching but informative if you want to understand the process.

As an educator, I am always looking for new research to back up my teaching methods. This book does not give me too much that is new, but it does reinforce my philosophy and it is an excellent resource to have in a professional library. I will be recommending this book to colleagues.

I mean, its a textbook, what do you expect.......

This book is a MUST READ for every language arts teacher. The author uses clear, but scientific language to express the basics of reading instruction.

It’s interesting and I love it

Anybody in education should read this book. Sousa makes the process in which the brain learns very clear. This book is also a great read for pre-service educators.