Penny Kittle examines a difficult topic for many ELA teachers to wrestle with. Outside reading for students has been discussed at various times, and the current standards do not promote this type of learning in the classroom. However, Kittle gives step-by-step examples to integrate this area of growth for our students in a positive way. She takes a topic that students do not like, reading, and makes it accessible and easy to understand. Without these approaches, I would not have a fully developed plan for next year, and her guidance and ideas have now given me a full approach to outside reading for the future. One of the most beneficial areas that helped me was Kittle’s explanation of book talks in chapter 5. I have used book talks and conferences
