Melissa & Lori Love Literacy ® Helping Students Read Entire Books with Doug Lemov, Colleen Driggs, and Erica Woolway
Nov 7, 2025
Doug Lemov, an educator and author of 'Teach Like a Champion', joins forces with Colleen Driggs and Erica Woolway, experts in curriculum design and middle-grade teaching. They discuss the troubling decline of reading whole books in classrooms, emphasizing the benefits of full texts like empathy and stamina. The trio shares practical strategies for making assigned readings engaging, the importance of read-alouds, and the role of close reading analysis. Plus, they reveal their favorite books to teach, highlighting their rich instructional value.
53:47
Books Require Sustained Attention
- Reading whole books has declined due to fractured attention and an emphasis on isolated reading 'skills.'
- Books uniquely require sustained focus and provide richer cognitive and social learning than short passages.
Skills Alone Don't Build Comprehension
- Treating reading as isolated 'skills' makes texts interchangeable and crowds out whole books.
- Long texts build domain knowledge and context that isolated skill practice cannot replicate.
Stories Are Cognitively Privileged
- Stories are cognitively privileged: we remember and learn more from narrative than from dry expository text.
- Long-form reading builds empathy, cultural capital, and the ability to change perspective over time.
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Intro
00:00 • 1min
Why whole books are disappearing
01:11 • 7min
What students gain from full texts
08:37 • 5min
Picture books, read-alouds, and early grades
13:11 • 3min
Choosing books to build knowledge
16:00 • 11min
Bringing assigned books to life
27:15 • 6min
Making read-alouds purposeful
33:15 • 7min
How close reading fits with whole books
40:43 • 8min
Favorite books to teach and why
48:30 • 4min
Outro
52:28 • 1min
#
Bud, Not Buddy
Christopher Paul Curtis
Set in the mid-1930s during the Great Depression, 'Bud, Not Buddy' follows the journey of 10-year-old Bud Caldwell, an African-American boy whose mother died when he was six.
Bud has been living in foster homes but decides to set out to find his father, using clues from his mother's belongings.
Along the way, he faces numerous challenges and meets various characters who influence his life.
Eventually, Bud discovers that the man he believed to be his father, Herman E. Calloway, is actually his grandfather, and he finds a sense of belonging and family with Calloway and his jazz band, the Dusky Devastators of the Depression.
#54768
Number the Stars
Lois Lowry
Set in Nazi-occupied Copenhagen during World War II, the story follows 10-year-old Annemarie Johansen and her family as they risk their lives to help their Jewish friends, the Rosens, escape persecution.
Through acts of bravery and resistance, the Johansens navigate dangers like Nazi soldiers and tracking dogs, ultimately aiding in the Rosens' safe passage to Sweden.
The novel explores themes of courage, sacrifice, and the moral imperative to protect others during wartime.
#7312
• Mentioned in 5 episodes
Captain Underpants
Dav Pilkey
The Captain Underpants series, written and illustrated by Dav Pilkey, follows the adventures of two fourth-grade pranksters, George Beard and Harold Hutchins, who live in Piqua, Ohio.
The boys create a comic book character named Captain Underpants, who becomes real when they hypnotize their principal, Mr. Krupp.
The series is known for its silly humor, outrageous plots, and the friendship and loyalty between George and Harold.
The books have been translated into more than 25 languages and have sold over 80 million copies worldwide.
The series includes 12 main books, two activity books, colored versions, and several spin-offs.
#2768
• Mentioned in 13 episodes
The Diary Of Anne Frank
Anne Frank
Anne Frank's "The Diary of Anne Frank" is a powerful and poignant account of a young girl's life in hiding during the Holocaust.
Written in her diary, it offers intimate insights into her thoughts, feelings, and experiences.
The diary's simple yet profound prose captures the horrors of war and the resilience of the human spirit.
Its enduring popularity stems from its universal themes of hope, courage, and the importance of human connection.
It remains a vital historical document and a testament to the strength of the human spirit.
#2253
• Mentioned in 15 episodes
The Sound and the Fury
William Faulkner
The Sound and the Fury is a novel by William Faulkner that chronicles the downfall of the Compson family, former Southern aristocrats, through four different narrative perspectives.
The novel is set in the fictional Yoknapatawpha County, Mississippi, and spans several decades.
It is narrated by the three Compson brothers—Benjamin 'Benjy' Compson, an intellectually disabled man; Quentin Compson, a Harvard student who commits suicide; and Jason Compson, a bitter and cynical younger brother—and concludes with a third-person omniscient narrative focusing on Dilsey, the family's devoted Black servant.
The novel explores themes of time, death, and the disintegration of traditional Southern values, using a stream-of-consciousness style that includes frequent chronological leaps and non-linear storytelling.
#5584
• Mentioned in 7 episodes
Holes
Louis Sachar
The novel follows Stanley Yelnats IV, who is wrongly accused of stealing a pair of sneakers and sent to Camp Green Lake, a juvenile detention center in the Texas desert.
At the camp, boys are forced to dig holes as a form of character-building.
Stanley befriends Zero, and together they unravel the mysteries of the camp, including a curse that has plagued Stanley's family for generations.
The story intertwines three separate narratives that eventually converge, exploring themes of justice, friendship, and resilience.
#1979
• Mentioned in 17 episodes
Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde
Robert Louis Stevenson
The story, narrated largely through the perspective of Mr. Gabriel John Utterson, a London lawyer, revolves around the mysterious and sinister figure of Mr. Edward Hyde and his connection to the respectable Dr. Henry Jekyll.
As the narrative unfolds, it reveals Jekyll's secret: he has created a potion that allows him to transform into the evil Mr. Hyde, embodying his repressed desires and darker impulses.
The novella delves into themes of dual identity, the struggle between good and evil, and the social hypocrisy of Victorian society.
#24134
• Mentioned in 2 episodes
Reading Reconsidered
A Practical Guide to Rigorous Literacy Instruction
Doug Lemov
Erica Woolway
Colleen Driggs
This book provides actionable guidance from real-life educators and instructional champions.
It is divided into two parts: 'The Core of the Core' and 'The Fundamentals'.
The first part focuses on four key ideas from the Common Core: reading harder texts, close reading, reading more nonfiction, and writing directly from the text.
The second part delves into the fundamentals of reading instruction, including vocabulary, interactive reading, and student autonomy.
The book includes over 40 video clips of outstanding teachers and is grounded in advice from successful classrooms nationwide.
#9266
• Mentioned in 4 episodes
Wonder
R. J. Palacio
R. J.
Palacio's "Wonder" is a heartwarming and inspiring novel about August Pullman, a boy with facial differences who enters a mainstream school for the first time.
The story is told from multiple perspectives, offering insights into August's experiences and the impact he has on those around him.
The novel explores themes of kindness, acceptance, and the importance of looking beyond appearances.
"Wonder" celebrates the power of empathy and understanding, reminding readers of the importance of treating everyone with respect and compassion.
#564
• Mentioned in 41 episodes
The Go-Giver
A Little Story About a Powerful Business Idea
John David Mann
Bob Burg
The Go-Giver tells the story of Joe, an ambitious young man who learns the Five Laws of Stratospheric Success from a series of mentors introduced by the enigmatic Pindar.
These laws—Value, Compensation, Influence, Authenticity, and Receptivity—emphasize the importance of giving and adding value to others' lives.
By shifting his focus from getting to giving, Joe experiences unexpected returns and achieves greater success in both his business and personal life.
#17298
• Mentioned in 2 episodes
The Teach Like a Champion Guide to the Science of Reading
Translating Research to Reignite Joy and Meaning in the Classroom
Doug Lemov
Erica Woolway
Colleen Driggs
#474
• Mentioned in 47 episodes
Lord of the Flies
William Golding
In 'Lord of the Flies', William Golding tells the story of a group of British schoolboys who are stranded on a deserted island after their plane crashes.
The novel follows their attempts to govern themselves and the gradual descent into chaos and savagery.
The story is an allegory that explores themes of human nature, morality, leadership, and the fragility of civilization.
Key characters include Ralph, who represents order and democracy; Jack, who symbolizes power and violence; and Piggy, the voice of reason.
The novel highlights the tension between the desire for civilization and the primal savagery that lies beneath the surface of human society.
#824
• Mentioned in 32 episodes
Oliver Twist
The 1838 Theatrical Adaptation
George Almar
This adaptation was first performed in the fall of 1838, before the full text of Dickens' original novel had been released.
It is a serio-comic burletta that deviates from the original novel, and Dickens himself was reportedly horrified by the performance.
The adaptation highlights the theatrical interpretation of Dickens' work during the Victorian era.
#2730
• Mentioned in 13 episodes
Atonement
Ian McEwan
The novel centers around Briony Tallis, a thirteen-year-old girl who, in 1935, witnesses a flirtation between her older sister Cecilia and Robbie Turner, the son of a servant.
Briony's incomplete grasp of adult motives and her precocious imagination lead her to make a false accusation that changes all their lives.
The story follows the repercussions of this event through World War II and into the late 20th century, as Briony spends her life trying to make amends for her mistake.
The novel is a complex exploration of guilt, atonement, and the nature of writing and memory.
#1
• Mentioned in 1,265 episodes
1984
George Orwell
Published in 1949, '1984' is a cautionary tale by George Orwell that explores the dangers of totalitarianism.
The novel is set in a dystopian future where the world is divided into three super-states, with the protagonist Winston Smith living in Oceania, ruled by the mysterious and omnipotent leader Big Brother.
Winston works at the Ministry of Truth, where he rewrites historical records to conform to the Party's ever-changing narrative.
He begins an illicit love affair with Julia and starts to rebel against the Party, but they are eventually caught and subjected to brutal torture and indoctrination.
The novel highlights themes of government surveillance, manipulation of language and history, and the suppression of individual freedom and independent thought.
Episode 239
Experts Doug Lemov, Colleen Driggs, and Erica Woolway join Melissa & Lori to tackle one of the biggest questions in teaching today: What happened to reading whole books in school? From the pull of digital distractions to the rise of skill-focused instruction, they explore why diving into full texts matters more than ever. You’ll hear inspiring ideas for making books come alive in the classroom, the magic of read-alouds, and the power of close reading. Plus, each guest reveals their favorite book to teach. Reading entire books ignites curiosity, builds stamina, and so much more.
Resources
- The Teach Like A Champion Guide to the Science of Reading (book)
- Teach Like A Champion (Website - Resources, Workshops, Blogs, & More!)
- Close Reading: Uncover Deeper Meaning (blog)
- The Indispensable Power of [Full] Books (blog)
- Melissa & Lori Podcast Knowledge & Comprehension (Daniel Willingham & Barbara Davidson)
We answer your questions about teaching reading in The Literacy 50-A Q&A Handbook for Teachers: Real-World Answers to Questions About Reading That Keep You Up at Night.
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