This book addresses critical issues related to pre-adolescent and adolescent literacy learners with a focus on closing the achievement gap. Despite efforts by educators and policymakers during the past several decades, certain groups of students--primarily African American students, English language learners, and students from low-income homes--continue to underperform on commonly used measures of academic achievement. Too often, teachers and administrators lack both proper preparation and good ideas to confront these issues.

Students backpacks bulge not just with oversize textbooks, but with paperbacks, graphic novels, street lit, and electronics such as iPods and hand-held video games. This book shows teachers how to unpack those texts and use them to engage students in meaningful learning. Whether you are a technology enthusiast or you favor traditional literature, this book is written for you. With classroom activities, adaptable lessons, and study-group questions in every chapter, this book is guaranteed to help you invigorate your teaching and capture your students attention!

Like previous editions, the third edition of Reconceptualizing the Literacies in Adolescents' Lives invites middle- and high-school educators to move toward a broad, generative view of adolescent literacies. Recognizing that digital media, social networking phenomena are now central in adolescents' lives, what is different is the focus in this edition on bridging students' everyday literacies and subject matter learning.

Like previous editions, the third edition of Reconceptualizing the Literacies in Adolescents' Lives invites middle- and high-school educators to move toward a broad, generative view of adolescent literacies. Recognizing that digital media, social networking phenomena are now central in adolescents' lives, what is different is the focus in this edition on bridging students' everyday literacies and subject matter learning.