PRAISE FOR THE READING MIND "Willingham's ability to make cognitive research on reading coherent and comprehensible is exceptional. This book should be standard fare in every doctoral education course on reading." Isabel L. Beck, Professor Emerita, School of Education, University of Pittsburgh "This is another of Willingham's essential books for educational professionals, and anyone else interested in the reading process telling them the cognitive science and practical implications of research in the domain of reading. No one does this kind of book better than Willingham!" Keith E. Stanovich, author of Progress in Understanding Reading and The Rationality Quotient "Willingham captures the magic of reading while simultaneously demystifying how we read. He brings key experimental findings to light as he takes us on the journey from recognizing individual words to constructing meaning from text. Beautifully written, clear and accessible, yet still embracing complexities rather than shying away from them this book is essential reading for anyone interested in how we read." Kate Nation, professor of Experimental Psychology, University of Oxford; fellow and tutor in Psychology, St. John's College "What goes on in the mind as we read? How do people learn to read? What motivates some to read more than others? For those curious about these questions, and for those who care about children learning to read and growing as readers, this delightful book explains this highly complex topic through fascinating studies and lively examples. With probing questions included, The Reading Mind will make a terrific book club read or textbook." Ellen McIntyre, dean and professor, College of Education, University of North Carolina, Charlotte "Willingham's work will deepen your understanding of the many facets of reading and literacy, as well as how the brain processes what amounts to an astoundingly complex and historically unlikely process. This book should be required reading for anyone with a vested interest in the written word." Kristofor Lauricella, History teacher, High School for Youth & Community Development, Brooklyn, New York

Clear, easy principles to spot what's nonsense and what's reliable

Each year, teachers, administrators, and parents face a barrage of new education software, games, workbooks, and professional development programs purporting to be "based on the latest research." While some of these products are rooted in solid science, the research behind many others is grossly exaggerated. This new book, written by a top thought leader, helps everyday teachers, administrators, and family members--who don't have years of statistics courses under their belts--separate the wheat from the chaff and determine which new educational approaches are scientifically supported and worth adopting.Author's first book, "Why Don't Students Like School?, " catapulted him to superstar status in the field of educationWillingham's work has been hailed as "brilliant analysis" by "The Wall Street Journal" and "a triumph" by "The Washington Post"Author blogs for "The Washington Post" and Brittanica.com, and writes a column for "American Educator"

In this insightful book, thought leader and bestselling author Dan Willingham offers an easy, reliable way to discern which programs are scientifically supported and which are the equivalent of "educational snake oil."