This book provides classroom-tested methods for engaging struggling middle grade readers - even those who appear to have given up - and fostering their success. The emphasis is on constructing respectful, encouraging learning environments that incorporate students' diverse literacies, cultural interests, and prior knowledge and skills into instruction. Chapters outline effective, innovative strategies for instruction and assessment in comprehension, vocabulary, text-based discussion, critical reading, and other core areas. Realistic classroom examples are included throughout, including applications of nontraditional texts. Other useful features include reflection questions at the end of each chapter.This book will be important reading for english/language arts teachers in grades 6-9, reading specialists and coaches, and teacher educators. It may also serve as a text in such courses as Adolescent Literacy, Teaching English Language Arts, and Reading Methods in the Middle Grades.