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The Gift of Story: Exploring the Affective Side of the Reading Life by John Schu
Foreword by Newbery Medalist Katherine Applegate | Cover Design: Cindy Butler | Editor: Terry Thompson | Publisher: Stenhouse Publishers
Order a copy from Stenhouse. | Download The Gift of Story study guide.
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When we share our hearts through story, we inspire others to think more deeply about their own hearts and how stories connect us all. In this book of the heart, teacher, librarian, book lover, and story ambassador, John Schu, known to reading communities all over as Mr. Schu, invites readers to consider literacy beyond its academic benefits, highlighting the ways story speaks to our hearts and brings us together.
Presented through a study of five affective elements of story --- healer, inspiration, clarifier, compassion, and connector --- The Gift of Story explores how the universal truths found in stories can change us, inspire us, connect us to others, answer our deepest questions, and help us heal. Along the way, readers will encounter insightful contributions from educators, children’s writers, and illustrators, as well as recommendations for sharing the gift of story with learning communities including: treasured book suggestions that stir reflection, engaging tips for celebrating literacy, and heart-growing applications to lift classroom and library practices.
The Gift of Story is a celebration of the ways we define, revise and imagine ourselves through literacy, a celebration of the way we connect to others and build community through reading, a celebration of children, authors, illustrators, teachers, librarians, books, and readers---and, ultimately, a celebration of hearts and the stories they hold dear.
“This is just the book my heart needed! The Gift of Story takes a dive into the affective benefits that reading can bring ALL readers. You'll learn how stories can heal hearts and minds, inspire change and growth, clarify perspectives, build compassion, and connect all readers together. Don't miss out on this very special and beautiful celebration of literacy.”
-Becky Calzada, Library Coordinator, Leander ISD, Texas
“In classic John Schu fashion, The Gift of Story embraces the human impact stories have on children, on instruction, for schools, for the home, and for our hearts. The Gift of Story is a heartfelt literary love letter to all the emphatic, enthusiastic, and empathetic readers who impact the reading lives of children.”
-Alice Lee, Ed.D., Elementary Principal and Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
“John Schu’s The Gift of Story resonates with my librarian heart. This book serves as a reminder that connecting, inspiring, and motivating students to read is an important and sacred job. Mr. Schu weaves together educators working in various roles to share a plethora of ideas, inspirations, and stories to build up literacy in a learning community.”
-Tamiko Brown, School Library Journal School Librarian of the Year 2017
“The Gift of Story will remind educators why we do this work. My heart needed this book. In the spirit of Mr. Schu, I want to buy this book for every educator I know.”
-Colby Sharp, Author, Fifth-Grade Teacher, and Co-Founder of the Nerdy Book Club
“John Schu is every educator's librarian. With his inspiring connections and cherished insight, he shines a light on the right story for every reader. This gifted storyteller has penned his magic to the page and it's exactly what all our ‘book hearts’ need.”
-Ali Schilpp, School Library Journal School Librarian of the Year 2019
“John Schu has an innate ability to connect readers with the book their heart needs—this time, he's written it. The Gift of Story equips educators to share their heart through story; to nurture connections among our readers and stories that extend beyond the academic elements to also include the affective ones that change readers, their hearts, and the world.”
-Elisabeth Stayer, Librarian & Educator
“The Gift of Story by John Schu is indeed a gift to hearts everywhere. It covers the importance of dialogue, questions, and basic human experiences as they relate to reading. This book will rejuvenate the hearts of educators and all who read it while developing spaces for all readers to share their love of stories.”
-Kerry-Ann Reeves, Fifth-Grade Teacher, City School District of New Rochelle
“John Schu is a legendary presenter for a reason-his love of books and literacy inspires educators and students around the globe. The Gift of Story is a John Schu presentation in book form. It's uplifting. It's motivating. It's life-affirming. Happy reading!”
-Travis Jonker, Author-illustrator, Blogger, Elementary School Librarian, Wayland Union Schools (MI)