Great Books

Just about everyone who has ever stood in front of a blackboard can point to a book that changed the way he or she thought about schools or teaching or children. Those are the kinds of books we set out to find for this collection. We asked a wide range of educators--most of whom have appeared in Teacher Magazine as writers or subjects--to recommend a book they believe every teacher should read and to briefly explain why. Many of these people are teachers. Some teach teachers. Others are reformers and scholars. More than a few have written fine books of their own.

They came up with a diverse list: from a science-fiction novel and the writings of Gandhi to books about language and the moral lives of children. Some chose works about inspiring teachers or new ways of looking at what happens in the classroom. Others described books that opened their eyes for the first time to some aspect of how children think or learn. (One contributor even persuaded us to let him recommend two.) Several of the books on the list are newly published; a few are classics. Two are out of print and may be available only through a library. We conclude with a list of the recommended titles, their publishers, their suggested list prices, and a phone number to order them. Enjoy.

Adam Urbanski, president of the...