On this episode, Caroline Pilman, a fellow Chicago Public Schools teacher, and I discuss the many ways of reading, all of which are acceptable. We also discuss a shared pet peeve in children’s literature, how a seasonal career can affect the reading life, and how Chicago Public Schools does one thing right.

American Library Association Lists

CPS Battle of the Books 2025

Books mentioned in this episode:

What Betsy’s reading:

There are Rivers in the Sky by Elif Shafak

Amatka by Karin Tidbeck

Devil House by John Darnielle

Books Highlighted by Caroline:

Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus

Small Great Things by Jodi Picoult

Fish in a Tree by Lynda Mullaly Hunt

One Crazy Summer by Rita Williams-Garcia

All books available on my Bookshop.org episode page.

Other books mentioned in this episode:

Kristy’s Great Idea (The Babysitters Club #1) by Ann M. Martin

The Giver by Lois Lowry

A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L’Engle

Dog Man by Dav Pilkey

The Great Believers by Rebecca Makkai

Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus by Mo Willems

Last Stop on Market Street by Matt de la Peña & Christian Robinson

Milo Imagines the World by Matt de la Peña & Christian Robinson