Caught in the Middle: Reading and Writing in the Transition Years

Caught in the Middle offers teachers a richly textured picture of the world of middle school students. David Booth describes who middle students are, explains why fostering their voice is important, and discusses how to create a community of literacy partners. He shows teachers how to model writing, incorporate picture books, promote reader engagement and comprehension, interact with student journals, prompt discussion and self-assessment, and more. In addition to his own classroom experiences, David showcases the contributions of remarkable middle school teachers who address a range of topics, including the impact of social media, the effect of the Internet on research, the need for critical literacy, the importance of citizen involvement, and the potential of the school library. Caught in the Middle presents a rich synthesis of insight, experience, and reflection.