Donalyn Miller

Donalyn Miller is a Texas educator, author, and advocate for independent reading whose work has influenced how teachers and parents approach cultivating reading habits in young people. Miller has taught upper elementary and middle school language arts and social studies in Texas and is the founder of Book Whisperer, Inc., an educational consulting firm that supports teachers and librarians in developing and maintaining schoolwide reading and library programs.

Miller gained national attention with her debut book, "The Book Whisperer," which details her experiences as a reading teacher and her methods for encouraging students, including reluctant readers, to engage with books. She promotes student choice in reading and emphasizes independent reading programs over traditional book reports and comprehension worksheets. Miller continued her exploration of literacy education with "Reading in the Wild," which examines the development of lifelong reading habits and offers practical strategies for fostering independent reading, drawing on survey responses from adult readers and classroom feedback. Her additional co-authored works include "Game Changer: Book Access for All Kids" with Colby Sharp, "The Joy of Reading" with Teri Lesesne, and "The Commonsense Guide to Your Classroom Library" with Colby Sharp.

Miller's influence extends beyond the classroom through her roles in educational consulting, professional development, and literacy advocacy. She served as Scholastic Book Fairs' Ambassador of Independent Reading Advocacy, where she traveled to conferences and schools, participated on advisory boards, and hosted the web-based teaching tips and book talk show "The Book Whisperer: Back to the Books." Alongside Colby Sharp, Miller co-founded The Nerdy Book Club blog, which provides resources, book recommendations, and advice for educators and parents focused on raising and teaching young readers. Her articles on teaching and reading have appeared in Education Week Teacher, The Reading Teacher, Educational Leadership, Horn Book, and The Washington Post.

Miller has received multiple teaching awards, including TCTELA's Elementary Language Arts Teacher of the Year, Keller ISD Elementary Teacher of the Year, ESC Region XI Teacher of the Year, TEA State Finalist Texas Elementary Teacher of the Year, and Texas Association for the Gifted and Talented Region XI Rising Star Teacher. She was also honored with TCTELA's Edmund J. Farrell Distinguished Lifetime Achievement Award for her contributions to language arts education. As a keynote speaker, Miller addresses topics such as authorship, creative writing, education reform, literacy, and workshop facilitation, providing insights for educators, administrators, and advocates committed to promoting literacy and access to books for children.