"This book is a home run! Educators looking to implement a comprehensive approach to planning deep and meaningful lessons will appreciate this powerful resource. Beck and Sandora demystify the comprehension and close reading puzzle and provide instructional routines, text-based examples, and practical commentary. Reading the book feels like you are engaging in clear and concrete professional development. A 'must have' for any teacher who wants to take text-based instruction to the next level and meet the rigorous demands of the CCSS."--Lisa M. Yonek, PhD, Elementary Literacy Supervisor, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Public Schools

"Situated in generative theory and research, this book is above all practical. As promised, the book delivers on the 'why' and the 'how' it both makes a compelling case for close reading and provides comprehensive and wise assistance to teachers."--Jeffrey D. Wilhelm, PhD, Distinguished Professor of English Education, Boise State University

"Illuminating Comprehension and Close Reading has immediately earned a top spot in my professional library. Beck and Sandora offer a four-step approach to creating meaningful lessons for students with varying degrees of experience with close reading. They provide in-depth lesson examples for narrative and informational texts (with texts supplied for readers to photocopy or download), as well as guided practice opportunities for readers to create their own lessons. One of the most exciting features is the detailed explanation of how to develop queries that focus student attention on important text content, vocabulary and language use, elements of genre, and techniques of the writer."--Susan Watts Taffe, PhD, School of Education, University of Cincinnati