Tackling Tough Texts

Tackling Tough Texts by Sarah M. Lupo, published by Guilford Publications on November 29, 2024, is a resource designed to assist educators in supporting students in grades 6–12 as they navigate challenging grade-level texts across various subjects, including English language arts, science, and social studies. This edition, comprising 203 pages, addresses the complexities of adolescent reading and identifies factors that contribute to a text’s difficulty, such as knowledge demands, text structure, and vocabulary.

Readers will find a range of research-based strategies aimed at scaffolding the challenges posed by tough texts, all within the framework of purposeful learning activities that cater to students’ unique strengths and interests. The book offers practical tools, including planning tips, text selection guidelines, and sample text sets, alongside vivid case studies from diverse classrooms. Additionally, it features fourteen reproducible forms and handouts that can be photocopied or downloaded for classroom use, making it a practical addition to any educator’s toolkit in the field of literacy and teaching.