Until now, no single volume has comprehensively examined the crucial question of how to select the most appropriate reading material for beginning or struggling readers. From leading authorities, this book meets an important need by reviewing the best available research on the role of specific text features—including linguistic and conceptual content—in supporting the development of proficient reading. Also explored are ways that teacher scaffolding can help students who have difficulties with particular aspects or types of texts. The book considers approaches to adapting the design and selection of texts to reinforce reading skills and provide well-paced challenges for K–6 students at a variety of ability levels.

Elfrieda H. Hiebert, PhD, is Adjunct Professor in the Graduate School of Education at the University of California, Berkeley. She is also a principal investigator at the National Center for Research on the Educational Achievement and Teaching of English Language Learners. Dr. Hiebert has worked in the field of early reading acquisition for 40 years as a classroom teacher, teacher educator, and researcher. Her research addresses methods for supporting students who depend on schools to become literate and for fostering students’ reading fluency, vocabulary, and knowledge through appropriate texts. Dr. Hiebert’s TExT model of accessible texts for beginning and struggling readers has been used to develop several widely used reading programs. She is a recipient of the William S. Gray Citation of Merit, awarded by the International Reading Association, and is a member of the Reading Hall of Fame. She is the author or editor of nine books as well as numerous journal articles.

Misty Sailors, PhD, is Associate Professor of Literacy Education in the Department of Interdisciplinary Learning and Teaching at the University of Texas at San Antonio. Her current research focuses on the instruction that surrounds elementary classroom texts, teacher education, and language policies related to reading instruction in international settings. Dr. Sailors is the Primary Investigator of a Teacher Quality Professional Development Reading grant. She also directs a project to develop reading and content-area materials for elementary learners in South Africa, funded by the United States Agency for International Development. Dr. Sailors is a recipient of the President’s Distinguished Achievement Award for Teaching Excellence from the University of Texas at San Antonio and the Recognition Award for Emerging Scholars from the American Association of University Women.