Booth addresses the issue of literacy by outlining 12 steps to encourage reading in all genres and formats. The chapters in the book cover topics such as redefining reading, helping students build reading muscles, understanding that technology is part of the new literacy and welcoming students into the culture of literacy. Booth supplements his suggestions with anecdotes and personal reflections. The book includes a table of contents and information regarding 101 literacy events.

English Language Arts grade 4, English Language Arts grade 5.

Expand our definition of literacy -- Include comics, magazines, poems, songs, manuals, and novels as part of reading -- Understand the use of technology as literacy -- Remember that story is the heart of literacy -- Help students build strong reading muscles -- Value the reading responses of young people -- View writing as literacy -- Recognize the ages and stages of individuals -- Explore how words work -- Turn printed texts into active learning -- Focus on literacy in every subject -- Welcome kids into the culture of literacy.