Efficient and flexible reading

Rather than applying one method to everything, this text shows students how to adjust the way they read according to the kind of material in front of them and the reason they are reading it. It builds literal and critical comprehension, vocabulary, and study skills, and it teaches readers to spot text structures and recurring patterns of thought that make learning faster and more efficient.

The book urges readers to engage actively and think critically about what they read while covering the standard topics of reading instruction in full. Its chapters include practical sections on checking vocabulary, judging the reliability of online sources, and reading in the twenty-first century. A recurring focus is helping each reader understand his or her own learning style.

The goal is to raise reading speed and to build the flexibility to change strategies as needed. The material is written for readers working at a ninth- to twelfth-grade reading level.