Focus on Adolescent Literacy:
IRA Programs and Resources

Young people do more reading and writing today — on paper and online — than ever before. This means their literacy development is just as important, and requires just as much attention, as that of beginning readers.

IRA offers an extensive list of resources for those who work with adolescent learners — whether they struggle with reading or are achieving at grade level. Follow the links below to find more information, or use advanced search and select “Early adolescence” or “Adolescence” under the Learner heading to identify more resources on specific topics.

Adolescent literacy in the news

IRA endorses groundbreaking adolescent literacy legislation

Press release: Sessions/Murray Bill Offers More Schools a Chance to Help Striving Older Readers

Press release: NAEP High School Reading Scores Send Clear Message

“Multiple Dimensions of Achievement: Defining, Identifying, and Addressing ‘the Gap’”

IRA books and resources - new and bestselling titles

Click on a title to find a detailed description, and to browse contents and sample chapters.

Adolescent Literacy Instruction: Policies and Promising Practices, edited by Jill Lewis and Gary Moorman

Bringing Grammar to Life, by Deborah Dean NEW!

Building Reading Comprehension Habits in Grades 6–12: A Toolkit of Classroom Activities, by Jeff Zwiers

Classroom Strategies for Interactive Learning, by Doug Buehl

A Comprehensive Guide to Readers Theatre: Enhancing Fluency and Comprehension in Middle School and Beyond, by Alison Black and Anna M. Stave

Discovering Their Voices: Engaging Adolescent Girls With Young Adult Literature, by Marsha M. Sprague and Kara K. Keeling

Dramatizing the Content With Curriculum-Based Readers Theatre, Grades 6–12, by Rosalind M. Flynn

Finding the Artist Within: Creating and Reading Visual Texts in the English Language Arts Classroom, by Peggy Albers

Informed Choices for Struggling Adolescent Readers: A Research-Based Guide to Instructional Programs and Practices, by Donald D. Deshler, Annemarie Sullivan Palincsar, Gina Biancarosa, and Marnie Nair

IRA Literacy Study Groups Adolescent Literacy Module

Search for other adolescent literacy books and resources at IRA’s Books, Brochures, Videos webpage.

Meetings and events

IRA’s annual convention always includes numerous sessions on topics related to adolescent literacy. The following sessions appeared on the program for the 2007 convention.

Institute 14: “Using Alternative Text Types to Develop Critical Thinking and Engagement for ‘Struggling’ Adolescent Learners,” William Dee Nichols et al., presenters

Institute 15: “Engaging and Sustaining Adolescents' New Literacies: Multiple Texts, Multiple Perspectives,” Thomas Bean and David Moore, et al., presenters

Symposium: “Motivating and Scaffolding Middle School English Language Learners: Focus on Content and Collaboration,” Donna Ogle et al., presenters

Microworkshop: “Critical Thinking: Another Way to Get Them There,” Andrew Pachtman and Florence Omachonu, presenters

Microworkshop: “Literacy Learning For All: Supporting Diversity and Struggling/At Risk Students in the Classroom,” Tamar Stein and Jill Maar, presenters

Session: “Reading as a Thinking Process: Helping Middle School and High School Students Understand What They Read,” Maureen McLaughlin, presenter

Session: “Engaging Students With Multicultural Literature Through Creative Drama and Reading/Writing Workshops,” Beverly Chin, presenter

Other IRA meetings, including the biennial world congress and annual state/provincial and regional conferences, routinely include sessions on adolescent literacy.

Awards and grants

Several of the Association’s awards and grants recognize educators, authors, and others whose work addresses adolescent literacy.

Arbuthnot Award, for a postsecondary teacher of children’s and young adult literature

Exemplary Reading Program Award, honoring programs at all grade levels

IRA Children’s Book Award

Lee Bennett Hopkins Promising Poet Award

Nila Banton Smith Award, for effective translation of theory into practice

Community

Several groups of Association members pursue a shared interest in adolescent literacy. Individuals in these groups can often suggest resources on the topic.

Committee: Adolescent Literacy

Committee: Literature for Young Adults

Special Interest Group: Middle School Reading

Special Interest Group: Network on Adolescent Literature

Special Interest Group: Science Fiction, Fantasy, and Graphic Novels

Special Interest Group: Secondary Reading

For more information about adolescent literacy initiatives, contact IRA’s Public Information Office.