Thank you so much to all who entered, through a random number generator the winner was selected and notified yesterday!
I woke up a year older this morning. Amazing how that happens just like that. Like a year is no big deal. Like a year passing is just something to get used to.
In all honesty, it hasn’t hit me yet. 38. What an age. I remember my mother being 38 and thinking how young she still was yet knowing that being in your 30’s somehow meant you were very much an adult. I feel very much like an adult at times, other times not so much.
Every year, I write a letter to myself to be delivered on my birthday through FutureMe, it never ceases to amaze me what I was thinking at the time I wrote the letter. The questions I have for myself. Last year’s letter asked me how Passionate Readers turned out, whether it was useful, whether people found inspiration within its pages. I think it has been, I am not sure, it is hard to judge one’s own work. And yet, it is being read and shared, and I am just a little bit amazed.
So in honor of my birthday and in honor of my student’s who have had the most significant impact on me as a teacher, I am giving away a copy of Passionate Readers today. The giveaway will end at midnight tonight. All you have to do is leave a comment and I will select a winner randomly. Bonus; if you have read the book and leave a review, I will enter you into the drawing twice as a thank you and then you can give a copy of the book away.
I am not sure what this upcoming year will hold. More travels for sure, more laughs I hope, more time becoming better, becoming more than what I was. But I do know that I am planning on making this year count. The quiet moments and the loud. On growing deliberately. On slowing down deliberately. On being grateful. So thank you for the love and support you have given me this past year. Thank you for being on this journey with me.
If you like what you read here, consider reading my newest book, Passionate Readers – The Art of Reaching and Engaging Every Child, out August 2017. This book focuses on the five keys we can implement into any reading community to strengthen student reading experiences, even within the 45 minute English block. If you are looking for solutions and ideas for how to re-engage all of your students consider reading my very first book Passionate Learners – How to Engage and Empower Your Students. Also, if you are wondering where I will be in the coming year or would like to have me speak, please see this page.
Pernille Ripp 
You are an amazing inspiration to me and many other teachers!!! 🙂
Happy Birthday, I really enjoyed your book Passionate Readers. So many true statements in the book. One of the ones that I am trying to remember is that “Too often our nonreaders,…, are waiting for the teacher to tell them who they are as readers and what they should read.” It boggles my mind that by the time students are in high school that they haven’t discovered what it is that they like to read. I had one student that refused to even try selecting a book for himself. He let his mom do it for him, how he is going to survive as he leaves for college in the fall, I have no idea. He still can’t tell us what he likes to read.
Happy Birthday!
The most important skill to instill in a child is a love for reading. I want to continue to develop passionate readers.
I love reading your blog, and can’t wait to read this! Happy Birthday!
Happy Birthday. I love the idea that’s you are giving on your birthday. So very inspirational. This isn’t on my TBR book for the summer – maybe I shouldn’t wait!
I am so excited to hear you speak in Raleigh, NC this summer! I would love to have a copy of your book to bring with me to the conference…and Happy Birthday! You don’t much feel like a grown up at times at 52 either! Enjoy your day!
Happy birthday! You are such an inspiration, and I would love a copy of your book!!
you have re-inspired my teaching!
Happy birthday from one 7th grade reading teacher to another.
Happy birthday to my number one inspiration for teaching reading! I am moving from a 4th grade to 6th grade reading teacher next year and would love to read this book!!
Happy Birthday! You book continues to inspire me to share my passion for literature with my kids every day!
I am so sad I missed you at TCTELA this year. Thank you for all you do for our profession.
Happy Birthday! To say you have impacted how my teammates and I teach reading is an understatement. You have helped me to find the joy of reading again, both for myself and for my students. Your blog posts are a breath of fresh air, as I read them I am reminded I am not the only one in my situation. You deserve a day full of joy and laughter.
Pernille,
Happy Birthday! You are so young yet! I am amazed each time you write your blog posts of how much wisdom and insight you possess and share. Thank you for your gift of words!
Happy Borthday! Thank you for being a passionate teacher and sharing content! I’d love to read your book!
Happy Birthday! Thanks for heading up the charge for what is right for our children, for your children. Your posts have touched me as a teacher, as a mother. I would love a copy of your book. Thanks, and many blessings to you.
Happy Birthday! My birthday is Friday and I find this week is always full of reflection. I am looking into the future me letter writing, that sounds like a great way to celebrate ones own birthday 🎂 🎁
Happy Birthday! You are an inspiration and I refer to your Passionate Learners often.
Happy Birthday! I really enjoy following your blog and would love to get a copy of your book, not only for me, but to share with the faculty at my school!
Happy birthday. I love how you have inspired the reading world!
Hi Pernille,
I also woke up a year older….yesterday….and wonder what the next year will bring me, both personally and in my journey as a newbie literacy teacher at the ripe age of 46. Sounds much older than I feel! Happy “seed” day, may it be meaningful.
Happy Birthday from one passionate reader to another!
Happy Birthday! Thanks for heading up the charge for what is right for our children, for your children. Your posts have touched me as a teacher, as a mother. I would love a copy of your book. Thanks, and many blessings to you.
Happy Birthday! Thanks for all you do ! You are an inspiration to so many!
Happy Birthday! This has been on my list for a while, can’t wait to read it!
I would love to read this book!
Happy Birthday! Thank you for sharing your wisdom with us.
Hope you enjoy your birthday! Love your blog!
Happy Birthday, Pernille! I have no doubt the coming year will see more graceful, intentional growth and progress for you. Thank you for sharing it with us.
Happy birthday! I can’t wait to follow your journey and read all your posts this year. I’d love to win a copy of your book.
Thanks for giving teachers a gift for your birthday! Happy Birthday!
Happy Birthday! I would love a copy of your book!!
Happy Birthday to you, Pernille! Hope you enjoy a special day! This book is next on My Reading List! I would love to have an extra copy to give away to a teacher friend! Thank you so much!
Happy Birthday! My birthday is next Tuesday and this book is in my Amazon cart, so pick me and I will get an excellent birthday gift!
Thanks for all the ideas you share in your blog.
We’re birthday buddies! Though I’m waking today wondering how I can pissibly be 40. Happy birthday!!!
Happy birthday! I love this blog, your tweets, your spirit, and your leadership. You are very much making a difference in this world. Cheers to another wonderful year!
Happy birthday! We share it. The difference? I’m 21 years older than you, but still working to help students become readers. Thank-you for the chance to win your book. Thank-you for your words. Have a good birthday!
Happy Birthday!
I have read the book and have already reviewed it on Goodreads. Your book has given me ideas to implement and share with colleagues. I have made my reading public for my students to see as they pass my room and have encouraged other teachers to do the same.
As an ELA teacher at the middle and high school level, this book has continued to help me to weave in more meaningful choice reading into my classes. While I look at the progress I’ve made, I also know that I am not “there” yet when it comes to being completely happy with the role of reading in my classes. This is a work in progress, much like education as a whole. Thank you for sharing your insights and ideas.
Happy birthday to someone who never fails to inspire me. Looking forward to hearing you speak in Saskatchewan this fall!
Happy birthday! 🎊🎂🎈🎉🎁💕
Happy birthday! Passionate Readers is such an important book! I truly believe that every teacher at every level & subject area. Thank you for writing it!
Happy birthday! I remember turning 38 and having the same feeling of amazement. Here’s to a beautiful year of growth.
Happy birthday!!!! You changed my whole perspective as a reading teacher in January during TCTELA!!!! Thank you so much
Happy Birthday Pernille. You inspire all of us to be better at our craft, to meet each day with a smile and each child with love and acceptance.
I just posted a review on Amazon. This book truly has re-energized my love of reading instruction. I was in such a rut and I have finally broken out of it! Thank you, Pernille!
Happy birthday!
One of my favorite qualities about your book is the reminder to be true to what is best for students. It reminds me to put kids first and continually self-evaluate. It challenges me as an educator and inspires me to do better. Happiest of birthdays, Pernille! Thanks for all you do.
Happy Birthday! Just want to let you know that I appreciate your willingness to share your knowledge as well as your process! I love the passion that you have and the fact that you so readily share it on a regular basis!
Happiest of Birthdays, Pernille! Very thankful to have sat in the audience last June in Ames, Iowa. 🙂 I very much enjoyed that keynote!
Happy Birthday! 🙂