Literacy advocates Donalyn Miller and Colby Sharp follow the lifecycle of Sharp's classroom library across the year, showing us practical ways to support young readers–from weeding the collection before kids arrive a matching them with books they want to read, to evaluating and supporting their growth as they become increasingly independent readers. Curating a classroom library can be a difficult task, especially considering all the moving parts that go into running a classroom in the first place. Teachers are constantly changing physical spaces and age groups and battling administration for financial support for their personal vision. Miller and Sharp offer a practical guide that aims to break down the process of creating a classroom library that will maximize student engagement and visual appeal. Sandwiched between research-based information about the importance of equitable access in the classroom and beyond, and a general dissection of how to achieve an appealing offering for all students regardless of their reading level, Miller interviews classroom and library professionals who offer insight into the day-to-day process of delivering a fruitful experience for providing in-class resources for all students. Although the book seems a bit pieced-together at times, and perhaps a bit slight for the price tag, it does come with valuable advice about applying for grants, navigating both overt and silent censorship, and evaluating a classroom library through a process that will be beneficial for children. The sage advice coming from the interviewed professionals in the field is worth a read. This book gives applicable suggestions on how to weed, purchase, and organize a classroom library. VERDICT Practical and supportive, this is a good fit for new educators who want to set up their library or experienced educators who want to reenergize their collection.-Rachel Joinerα(c) Copyright 2011. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted. “Building a powerful library collection that serves all students, in and out of school, is an intentional labor of love—one that requires practical, purposeful guidance. With great depth and nuance, Miller and Sharp have created the resource that all educators need to increase book access and inspire children into a lifetime of reading.” —Sonja Cherry-Paul, founder of Red Clay Educators and adapter of Stamped (for Kids): Racism, Anitracism, and You   “Reading this book, I imagined Miller and Sharp strolling through my library with me, helping me examine bins and curate the space for next year. It’s truly a commonsense guide to all aspects of hosting a library of books, including making it equitable for every reader who might spend time perusing the shelves.” —Jennifer Ochoa, eighth-grade teacher and author of  Already Readers and Writers: Honoring Students' Rights to Read and Write in the Middle Grade Classroom   "With honesty and brilliance, Donalyn and Colby address the challenges and joys of designing dynamic classroom libraries. They invite us to reflect, through philosophical, ethical, and practical lenses, on how to ensure our libraries galvanize children to experience literacy as liberation. During this tumultuous time, when it would be easier to stand down, these principled educators stand up for book access that is just."  —Aeriale N. Johnson, DEI and literacy consultant   “Donalyn Miller and Colby Sharp must be literacy psychics. They read teachers' minds and have delivered a much-needed book that will improve classroom libraries everywhere. Practical, inspirational, essential.” —Travis Jonker, elementary school librarian, Wayland Union Schools, Michigan, author of The Very Last Castle   “Both practical and pragmatic, this book reads like a conversation with colleagues down the hall. Sharing research and classroom examples, Donalyn and Colby support and inspire efforts to build classroom libraries as a key element of book access. I wish I'd had this book when I was teaching ELA to support my students’ needs by intentionally curating my classroom library.” —Jillian Heise, elementary library media teacher, Southeastern Wisconsin, and creator of #classroombookaday   “Classroom libraries are not an ‘extra’ or a ‘nice to have.’ They are an essential part of good reading instruction at all levels. Filled with practical advice and examples, Donalyn Miller and Colby Sharp’s book, too, is essential.  Whether you are a new teacher just building a library or a veteran who needs to refine and improve efforts, this book is for you.”  —Lynn Hagen, reading specialist, Battle High School, Columbia, Missouri   " The Commonsense Guide to Your Classroom Library  inspires me to redesign my classroom library. I am normally so overwhelmed by acquiring books that I don’t take time to organize them intentionally, in a way that will appeal to students. Next year, I will move away from the basic alphabetical organization I've always used in