This 108-page book provides a detailed introduction to the use of cases for the professional development of K-12 teachers and background information for facilitators of groups using cases. The Guide is designed to be used with cases involving a variety of topics in education and can easily be applied to cases focused on the teaching of mathematics and science.

The authors focus on how facilitators can structure a "case experience" with a group of participants and use cases to stimulate discussion and reflection. The purpose of this book is to offer "both strategies for improving [one's] effectiveness as a facilitator and a conceptual framework for understanding and acting in [the] role as a facilitator" (p. 2). Facilitators might include educators involved in pre-service or in-service teacher education, administrators, classroom teachers, central office staff, or someone working outside of schools in a state or federally-funded position.

The authors have packed a great deal of crucial information into this very compact book. They attempt to help the reader develop the skills and strategies necessary to facilitate case experiences that reach the following goals: "focus on analysis over evaluation, promote inquiry into different perspectives, refrain from problem solving too quickly, build common understanding, [and] adopt a learning stance" (p. 7). The second chapter, "Facilitating the Case," describes planning for case discussions as a process involving pre-planning, creating a structure for the case experience, and strategic decision-making. Chapter Three, "Facilitating the Group," explores the facilitator's role in eliciting discussion. In the final chapter, "Managing Your Own Concerns," the authors ask the reader to reflect upon the role of case facilitator and to become aware of and manage concerns about that role. Throughout the book, the reader is reminded that the value of the case method lies in eliciting and facilitating the participants' discussions of the case, in which they draw on and share their own experiences, knowledge, and concerns.

There is ongoing reference to the facilitation of a particular case, "Oliver's Experiment," that grounds the discussion with concrete examples from one author's experiences. This case and its facilitator's notes are included in the appendix and also appear in the authors' companion book, Casebook on School Reform. Both novice and experienced facilitators will benefit from the breadth of the authors' experiences as described in the text.

Consideration of equitable practice is evident throughout the book. A prime concern of the authors is that all participants engage in the discussion and express their individual points of view, and that all participants benefit from the case experience. This focus is especially apparent in one major portion of the book, "Facilitating the Group." The authors suggest guidelines to help facilitators respect and value differing views; they raise issues about how to make the most of a group's diversity; and they promote the use of a variety of pedagogical approaches within a case experience.

Reviewers noted that A Guide to Facilitating Cases is a valuable resource to develop the skills of professional development providers. Ideally, a professional development provider would have the opportunity to participate in a variety of case experiences from several perspectives: first as an observer, then as a participant, and finally as a facilitator. The Guide is also an excellent resource for experienced facilitators who would be well served by re-reading the text at various stages of their development. It is well suited for self-study and, with the addition of supplementary materials, could serve as the foundation of a course or extended workshop on the case method and case facilitation. The book is also worthy of reading and study in a wider professional development context than just facilitating cases. Most of what is shared is applicable to facilitating virtually any type of group discussion.

Casebook on School Reform provides an additional five cases with notes for facilitation specific to each case.