Ticking off the Pages: Our Family's 40-Book Challenge Inspired by The Book Whisperer

Donalyn Miller's The Book Whisperer has inspired me to get our family on an exciting reading journey. After delving into this insightful book, I've set a challenge for our household: each of us will read 40 books in the next 12 months, starting from October 6th 2024. This ambitious goal has already sparked interesting conversations and reflections on our reading habits.

Understanding Reader Types

Miller's categorisation of readers has been eye-opening, especially when applied to our family:

Developing Readers Our 14-year-old daughter, Zoe, falls into this category. I've previously labeled her a "reluctant reader," but Miller's perspective has shifted my thinking. The term "developing reader" is more positive and empowering, acknowledging that Zoe is on a journey of growth rather than being stuck in reluctance.

Dormant Readers Charlie, our 11-year-old son, fits this description perfectly. He has previously read for pleasure but recently he spends considerable time reading back issues of Beano, often for more than an hour daily. The challenge lies in transitioning him back from these familiar materials to a broader range of books.

Underground Readers Our eldest, Ted (16), aligns with this category. He's a gifted reader who has devoured hundreds of books at home but may view school reading as disconnected from his personal reading preferences.

Adult Reading Habits

Here's my confession, my husband Tom and I have to recognise ourselves as dormant readers. While we consume books voraciously during holidays, our daily lives often push reading for pleasure to the backburner. This challenge presents an opportunity to overcome the perceived lack of time and rediscover the joy of regular reading.

The Family 40 Book Challenge

Setting this 40 book challenge for each family member is both exciting and daunting. It's not just about quantity; it's about fostering a love for reading and making it a central part of our daily lives. Miller's approach emphasizes the importance of choice and engagement in developing lifelong readers

As we embark on this journey, I'm eager to see how our reading habits evolve. Will Zoe's development as a reader accelerate? Can we help Charlie transition from comics to a wider variety of books? Will Ted find ways to bridge his personal and academic reading? And can Tom and I rediscover the pleasure of regular reading amidst our busy schedules? Miller's insights have already changed how we view reading in our family. By reframing our perspectives and setting ambitious yet achievable goals, we're not just aiming to read more books – we're working to cultivate a richer, more engaged reading culture in our home. As Miller suggests, it's about awakening the inner reader in each of us, regardless of age or current reading habits