This book is a Master Class in poetry, teaching writing, and joy. Whispering in the Wind provides compelling evidence of what is within reach for all writers. It is a vision you simply cannot walk away from: this book will change you. It is not just the commitment to sketching and watercolor and the beauty of language that her students demonstrate—it is how their essays and reflections show scholarship, curiosity, and wonder. Linda Rief suggests that Heart Books make use of the transitions throughout the school year—all of those brief moments when we are between. Every page in this book sheds light on what is possible in that space.
—Penny Kittle, author of Book Love, Write Beside Them, and 180 Days
Linda has been a trusted mentor to me for years. Her respect for teachers is her defining characteristic. In this time of book banning and misinformation, we need poetry more than ever. Her respectful vision for how we can use poems is an essential balm. This book is a blueprint for guiding students in their relationships with poetry forevermore. This feels less like an educator book and more like a companion that shepherds teachers to consider and incorporate the textured versatility of poetry in the classroom and in their lives. We are so lucky to have Linda's words.
—Nawal Qarooni, educator and author
Whispering in the Wind is an excellent resource to help lead your students to discover the joy and beauty of poetry. Through the creation of Heart Books and other engaging strategies, Linda Rief taps into student creativity to ignite their authentic interest in both reading and writing poetry. I love this book. Rief’s ideas are fresh, creative, and serve to transform students’ negative attitudes about poetry into a lifelong appreciation for the art of verse.
—Kelly Gallagher, author of 4 Essential Studies and 180 Days
I’ve been sharing accessible poems at the beginning of every class meeting for more than 30 years. My students get a good taste of poetry in these daily poetic appetizers. In Whispering in the Wind, Linda Rief shows you how to prepare a poetic feast for students. Her ideas, strategies, and recommendations will enhance the literate culture of your classroom.
—Tom Romano, author of Write What Matters
Linda Rief’s new book, Whispering in the Wind, feels like an exquisite poem. As I read the beautiful words of Linda and her students, and gaze at their gorgeous Heart Books, I am inspired to expand my own Heart Map. Her book is the antidote to how poetry is often taught in middle school—put through the wringer as we question, scrutinize, and demand answers from poems. Instead, through the process of creating Heart Books, Linda creates space for students to fall in love with poems that reflect the truth of their feelings and the feelings of others. This is a must-have book for all of us who want to engage students in a powerful and authentic reading and writing experience.
—Georgia Heard, author of Heart Maps and Awakening the Heart
