"Struggling readers, especially those in grades 4-8, need to feel success with reading; they often develop negative mindsets and tune out and away from reading at this age. Currently, there is a large market for "low-level, high-interest" trade books to reach middle-school students who are reading far below grade level. The problem with such books, however, is that kids feel embarrassed to be seen reading them...furthering the negative mindset. And, of course, simply sticking a low-level reader with a book and asking him or her to read independently is problematic because these kids likely still need some shared and guided reading support in order to master the skills they're lacking. Yet many middle-grade teachers don't have experience teaching guided reading, so they, too, need support. This book by Laura Robb and David Harrison solves these problems by offering both original poems and short texts for students as well as lesson ideas for teachers. The poems and short texts are written specifically for students in grades 4 to 8 reading two or more years below grade level; they're written at a second and third grade instructional level, but the ideas will be complex. Plus, the poems and short texts used for shared reading will be written at a higher level because the teacher reads the text first and then students choral read it together. The book's ultimate goal is this: As students gain self-confidence by reading and discussing poetry, short texts, and books during independent reading, their successes will develop the mindset needed to continue to read independently to improve their reading skill and stamina"-- Provided by publisher.