These are among the books that have particularly influenced and that continue to influence my work.
- A Reason to Teach, by James A. Beane - a guide to and argument for democratic classroom practices, and a book John Lounsbury once called one of the four must-haves in every middle school teacher's library.
- Curse of the Good Girl, by Rachel Simmons - on the conflict created when girls are asked by society simultaneously to please other people and to be true to themselves.
- Day One and Beyond, by Rick Wormeli - an invaluable guide for first-year teachers, especially those working in middle schools.
- Enough as She Is, by Rachel Simmons - how to support girls in dealing positively with the conflicting pressures illuminated in Curse of the Good Girl
- Fair Is Not Always Equal, by Rick Wormeli - a ground-breaking and thoughtful look at what, how, and why we assess.
- How Girls Thrive, by JoAnn Deak - important insights and principles for building self-esteem in girls.
- In the Middle, by Nancie Atwell - guide to using writing workshop techniques to help students learn and improve.
- The Reading Zone, by Nancie Atwell - guide to using reading workshop techniques to help students learn and improve.
- Soundings, by Mark Springer - the foundational democratic classroom model that inspired my Humanities 7 course, and another book on John Lounsbury's "must-have" list.
- This Is Not a Test, by José Vilson - a personal memoir and manifesto for teacher voices and for seeking social justice in education.
- This We Believe, by the Association for Middle Level Education - an essential guide to the 16 research-based characteristics that are found in successful middle schools and perhaps the most important book on John Lounsbury's "must-have" list.