Best Practices in Literacy Instruction

“Recommended for literacy teachers of all skill levels.”

—Choice Reviews (on the fourth edition)


“At a time when access to literacy should be commonplace, we continue to witness historic inequities. The seventh edition of this foundational text takes readers on a much-needed journey into the literacy lives of children from diverse backgrounds. It shares evidence-based, innovative ideas from multiple experts in the field. I often remind my students that, when it comes to children's learning, 'You must reach them to teach them!' This book provides guidance on how to reach all children—and effectively teach them.”

—Gwendolyn Thompson McMillon, PhD, Professor of Literacy and Coordinator, Literacy, Culture, and Language Doctoral Program, Oakland University


“The revised seventh edition addresses the foundations of what we know about reading comprehension, vocabulary and language development, and writing, across grades and content areas. It offers dedicated attention to the complex, multidimensional demands of literacy skills, with a social justice focus on how best practices can contribute to robust learning for all students. Across the chapters, the book illustrates the centrality of the cultural repertoires that students bring to the classroom, and shows how to recruit and sustain these repertoires in instruction. This volume is both a theoretical and practical guide that can support learning in teacher preparation programs as well as professional learning communities.”

—Carol D. Lee, PhD, Edwina S. Tarry Professor Emerita, School of Education and Social Policy, Northwestern University


“Each edition of this text brings essential knowledge to the field. The seventh edition highlights the complexity of literacy and the need to reconsider traditional views and approaches to teaching literacy at all grade levels. I recommend the text as a whole for graduate-level courses on literacy, while individual chapters can augment undergraduate courses. Chapters are written by experts in the field, and students will benefit from the comprehensive and critical approach.”

—Danielle V. Dennis, PhD, Dean, Feinstein College of Education, University of Rhode Island