In the words of one academic, reading is 'an important gateway to personal development, and to social, economic, and civic life'. Moreover, according to the International Reading Association, twenty-first-century adults 'will read and write more than at any other time in human history. They will need advanced levels of literacy to perform their jobs, run their households, act as citizens, and conduct their personal lives.'

Perhaps unsurprisingly, then, all around the world, how best to teach children to read is one of the most publicized and contested fields of research. Now, answering the need for an authoritative reference work to make sense of this vast and disputatious body of thought, and the continuing explosion in research output, Routledge announces a new title in its Major Themes in Education series. In four volumes, Reading brings together in one easy-to-use 'mini library' foundational major works and the very best cutting-edge contributions.

With comprehensive introductions to each volume, newly written by the editor, Rona Flippo, Reading is an essential work of reference. It is destined to be valued by literacy specialists and scholars working in related areas--as well as by educational policy-makers and professionals--as a vital one-stop research tool.