Comprehensible and Compelling - by Stephen Krashen & Sy-Ying Lee & Christy Lao (Paperback)

About the Book

A joint effort from three thought leaders in educational research, linguistics, and literacy acquisition, this book explores the latest research that shows that compelling comprehensive input (CCI) is the baseline for all language and literacy development.
It has been established that encouraging reading at all student levels supports literacy--not just literacy in terms of having basic reading and writing abilities, but in being able to perform advanced reading as well as having well-developed listening, speaking, and critical thinking skills. But what kind of reading has the most benefit for young learners? And why? Comprehensible and Compelling: The Causes and Effects of Free Voluntary Reading examines the most recent research and literacy testing results from around the world that document how reading materials must be comprehensible and compelling to bring success. It also presents research findings that show how libraries directly support literacy development, providing arguments and proof that will be invaluable in advocacy efforts for funding and program development.

• Addresses and interprets current international research on literacy development
• Documents the value of libraries in providing access for literacy development
• Provides compelling research-based arguments for reading aloud, free voluntary reading, and reading to one's strengths
• Identifies and explains the three stages in the development of the highest level of literacy: hearing stories, self-selected recreational reading, and specialized reading in an area of deep personal interest

Book Synopsis

A joint effort from three thought leaders in educational research, linguistics, and literacy acquisition, this book explores the latest research that shows that compelling comprehensive input (CCI) is the baseline for all language and literacy development.

It has been established that encouraging reading at all student levels supports literacy--not just literacy in terms of having basic reading and writing abilities, but in being able to perform advanced reading as well as having well-developed listening, speaking, and critical thinking skills. But what kind of reading has the most benefit for young learners? And why? Comprehensible and Compelling: The Causes and Effects of Free Voluntary Reading examines the most recent research and literacy testing results from around the world that document how reading materials must be comprehensible and compelling to bring success. It also presents research findings that show how libraries directly support literacy development, providing arguments and proof that will be invaluable in advocacy efforts for funding and program development.

Review Quotes

"Summarizing decades of research about language development, this thorough title will guide understanding of reading comprehension in a new way. . . . Librarians will appreciate the socioeconomic reading statistics and discussion of how libraries instill in children a love of reading that leads to higher reading scores. Rounding out the volume are an excellent list of references and an easy-to-follow index to help navigate each study. VERDICT For school librarians working with elementary age students." --School Library Journal

"This is a scholarly look at a subject that many teachers and librarians grapple with. It is an important addition to the research into creating lifelong learners and readers." --Booklist Online

"Do you need researched-based evidence to support the importance of independent reading? Then this research-heavy resource would be perfect for you. The authors present a thoroughly researched case that literacy comprehension and acquisition increases the most when what we hear and what we read is interesting or 'compelling.' . . . Overall, this book is full of research summaries." --School Library Connection

About the Author

Stephen D. Krashen is an influential and prolific author, linguist, and researcher who has written nearly 500 books and articles in the fields of literacy, language acquisition, neurolinguistics, and bilingual education.

Sy-Ying Lee is currently professor at National Taiwan University of Science and Technology and chair of the Department of Applied Foreign Languages.

Christy Lao, PhD, is a professor of education, founding director of the Confucius Institute at San Francisco State University, coordinator of the Chinese Bilingual Program, and principal investigator and director of several major federal projects.