This book provides some challangin questions which are examined in the light of authentic classroom experience. For any learner, literacy is of crucial importance. For teachers, raising standards of literacy is a constant concern. The first two sections of the book consider two important questions: What does children's writing reveal about their reading experience and competence?, and How can teachers help children to become more careful and critical readers of their own and other people's writing. In the third section of the book these questions are put in a theoretical framework which tackles some of the more fundamental issues of culture, language diversity and gender, the relationship between oracy and literacy and how best to help children who struggle with literacy. The final section gives some practical guidance for developing a full and successful literacy curriculum. Eve Bearne is Senior Lecturer in English and Education at Homerton College, Cambridge.