In Leveled Reading, Leveled Lives, leading literacy expert Timothy Shanahan curates a lively tour of the history of reading instruction in the United States, arguing that the most popular reading instruction method is failing students and suppressing their literacy achievement. He breaks down the reasons why teachers and researchers alike have favored this accepted wisdom, known as instructional-level theory, in US schools over the past five decades—and presents a compelling case for a new way forward that will bolster students’ reading skills.

Today, teachers suggest books to students at their deemed “instructional levels,” but how these instructional levels are determined is suspect. With a comprehensive, critical analysis of instructional-level pedagogy, Shanahan exposes its shaky foundations and shows how faulty research findings have become so entrenched. He offers an evidence-based consideration of how educators must instead use grade-level reading to bring about maximum learning gains.

This seminal book concludes with practical advice for implementing grade-level reading instruction, including detailed descriptions of the types of instruction and scaffolding needed to increase students’ reading achievement, from teaching decoding and challenging texts to scaffolding reading to maintaining motivation.

The book is published by Harvard Education Press. The audiobook is published by University Press Audiobooks.