readinglist1

A Provocative Reading List of Books for
Educators
This list is made up of recently published books that may inspire, annoy, cajole and support our
work as teachers.
Beavan, C. (2016) How to Be Alive: A Guide to the Kind of Happiness That Helps the World New
York: Dey Street Books
Colin’s book is an extraordinary resource to remind us of our purpose, from the guy that bought us
No Impact Man. If you need your own pep talk- this might well be it.
Claxton, G. (2015) Educating Ruby: What Our Children Really Need To Learn London: Crown
House Publishing.
Guy Claxton’s influential book, “what is the point of school?” is followed recently by Educating
Ruby, A recommendation from Debra Kidd. Check out buildinglearningpower.com while you are it.
Christodoulou, D. (2017) Making Good Progress?: The future of Assessment for Learning. Oxford:
Oxford University Press
I was going to include the 7 Myths of Education, but the Ark group’s Head of Assessment latest
book is equally provocative. This may not be to everyone’s taste, but failing to know this position
isn’t an option.
Crehan, L. (2016) Cleverlands: The Secret Behind the Success of the World’s Education
Superpowers. London: United Authors Publishing Ltd.
What works in Education and where? This is a powerful contribution to those trying to seek
wisdom from the world’s school systems.
Didau, D. (2016) What Every Teacher Needs to Know About Psychology. Woodbridge: John Catt
Educational Ltd.
Author of, What if everything you knew about Education is Wrong? This book explores ways we as
teachers can tune our practice to be more efficient for our learners.
Evers, J. (2015) Flip the System: Changing education from the ground up. London: Routledge
A collection of Essays edited by one of Holland’s ‘New Radicals”- here is a call to a more humane,
democratic education.
Gill, S. and Thomas G. (2017) Human Centred Education: A practical handbook and guide.
London: Routledge
Scherto and Garrett’s handbook for how to humanise your learning community is packed full of
advice and guidance.
Haidt, J. (2013) The Righteous Mind: Why Good People are Divided by Politics and Religion.
London: Penguin
Made a huge impact on my understanding of the role Philosophy should play in Education. The
consequences of this book are massive if the research is used wisely.

Hirsch, E. (2016) Why Knowledge Matters: Rescuing Our Children from Failed Education Theories.
Cambridge MA: Harvard Education Publishing Group
A detailed analysis from the Wisdom camp- located at the other end of the scale from the Skills
camp.
JInpa, T (2015) A Fearless Heart: Why Compassion is the key to Greater Wellbeing. Piaktus:
London
I wanted include either this or Mathieu Ricard’s Altruism. This pips it for brevity’s sake: It’s an
insightful, actionable read through the role compassion in bringing happiness to our lives.
Kidd, D. (2014) Teaching: Notes from the Front Line. Carmarthen: Independent Thinking Press
Get it. Read it. Provocative & Insightful. From a teacher to teachers.
Lear, J. (2015) Guerrilla Teaching: Revolutionary tactics for teaching on the ground, in real
classrooms, working with real children, trying to make a real difference. Carmarthen: Independent
Thinking Press
Practical tips for promoting creative thinking in your classroom
Laloux, F. (2014) Frederick Laloux: A Guide to Creating Organizations Inspired by the Next Stage
in Human Consciousness Belgium: Nelson Parker
A watershed moment. How should we really model administration that reflects the world we want
our students to inhabit? Another book that has radically affected my view of Educational
leadership.
Mischel, W. (2015) The Marshmallow Test: Understanding Self-control and How To Master It.
London: Corgi Press
An Academic book, light in tone, that helps identify the importance of self control.
Nichols, T. (2017) The Death of Expertise: The Campaign Against Established Knowledge and
Why it Matters. Oxford: Oxford University Press
Not for the faint-hearted. Calling out research, and at times painting a bleak picture. This book
serves as vital call to action, and at a never more pressing time.
Quigly, A. (2016) The Confident Teacher: Developing successful habits of mind, body and
pedagogy London: Routledge
A nuts and bolts guide to teaching. From a teacher to teachers.
Roberts, H. (2012) Oops! Helping children learn accidentally Carmarthen: Independent Thinking
Press
Another game raising, provocation. From a teacher to teachers to help “trick students into deep
learning”
Sahlberg, P. (2014) Finnish Lessons 2.0: What Can the World Learn From Educational Change in
Finland? New York: Teacher College Press
Want to know why we always sing the praises of Finnish Education? Here is your answer.

Shalaby, C. (2017) Troublemakers: Lessons in Freedom from Young Children at School. New York:
The New Press
A provocative study that explores the value and/or harm of obedience, socialisation and conformity
in schools.
Tomsett, J. (2015) This Much I Know about Love Over Fear: Creating a culture of truly great
teaching. Carmarthen: Crown House Publishing Ltd.
Not just for school leaders. But for all colleagues: Easy to read- difficult to deal with. Home truths
that require us to have a rethink.
Zhao, Y. (2015) Counting What Counts: Reframing Education Outcomes (A Research-Based Look
at the Traits and Skills that Contribute to School and Life Successes). Bloomington: Solution Tree
Press
From the IBO agent provocateur. Here is another look into the mind of the Entrepreneur-maker,
and ground shaker.