“This important, elegantly written, and well-researched book is a gift to teachers, parents, and those in the community…. Heather explains how family and community must be an intimate part of literacy instruction and describes how to include them into the school curriculum. She encourages teachers to regularly design community-based activities to broaden background knowledge and use all resources available.”
—From the Foreword by Lesley Mandel Morrow, Distinguished Professor, Rutgers University
“Productive, Not Polarizing gives educators hands-on, inclusive, rich ways to support learners in their literacy development. Practical, innovative, and comprehensive, Casey imbues the book with her deep understandings about literacy as a teacher, teacher educator, and researcher of many years. This book belongs on every teacher’s bookshelf.”
—Jennifer Rowsell, professor, University of Sheffield
“This is a fabulous book by a distinguished educator. I particularly love the emphasis on collaboration not polarization. Thank you, Dr. Casey!”
—Diane H. Tracey, licensed psychoanalyst and professor emerita, Kean University
“A literacy achievement, this book demonstrates both the ‘why’ and the ‘how’ of building and sustaining strong school and community partnerships. Casey offers the gift of building understandings and practices that cross over divisive ideologies and practices to demonstrate that literacy at all levels is both a school and community commitment.”
—Victoria J. Risko, professor emerita, language, literacy, culture, Vanderbilt University, 2011–2012 president, International Literacy Association
“Heather Casey succinctly and successfully describes different ways to consider literacy partnerships that are not artificial, cumbersome, or overwhelming to implement. She engages our thinking to lessen “Reading War” discussions and move us forward to linkages in which schools, communities, and political/economic systems can realistically strengthen accessibility to literacy learning with supportive resources.”
—Kathy N. Headley, professor emerita of literacy, Clemson University, and 2019-2020 ILA president
"Casey delivers an essential resource for building meaningful literacy partnerships that extend far beyond classroom walls. Through compelling real-life scenarios, this book demonstrates how educators and communities can collaborate to create transformative learning experiences that reach every student. A powerful reminder that literacy thrives when we work together."
—Jill Castek, professor of digital literacies, University of Arizona
