It's Never Too Late: Leading Adolescents to Lifelong Literacy

by Tom Romano

It's Never Too Late is a research chronicle that offers not only proven methods but also inspiration. Anyone working with "at risk" studentsthose for whom school has not been a place of successwill find here a reflection of their own experiences, plus thoughtful and creative strategies for making those experiences positive ones. When Janet Allen, a respected lecturer, researcher, and award-winning teacher, began teaching in 1972, she was wholly unprepared for the challenges she motivating the unmotivated, developing a curriculum with no models to draw from, building an environment that supported strategic learning, finding creative resources with limited means, and dealing with reluctant, even rebellious students. More daunting, perhaps, was the challenge of constantly rekindling her own fervor for teaching. But she persevered and found ways to break through those obstacles. It's Never Too Late is at once a story and a "how to" book. Readers will find absorbing case studies, photographs, quotes from educators, surveys, activities, and step by-step strategies for teaching reading and writing to the most reluctant middle and secondary school students. Most important, they will find affirmation for the powerful role they play as teachers.

Genres: Education, Writing, Teaching

218 pages, Paperback

First published March 20, 1995

Reviews

[Wes Young · Rating 4 out of 5]

So glad I read this book! It is invigorating for a teacher to read about the struggles and successes of other teachers. This read reminded me of the worth of my profession, and has spurred me on to try harder for my kids. One takeaway of the many: I'm going to slow down and listen to my students. Not an easy goal for workaholic, busy, busy, busy, teachers such as myself. I think I can, I think I can, I think I can!

[Cindy Bertossa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Janet was my advisor and mentor when I was in grad school and teaching high school English. She had a hand in making me a great teacher. This is a great book and a must-read for English/Reading/Language Arts teachers.

[Debbie · Rating 2 out of 5]

I have read quite a few books like this, so maybe my rating is influenced by this. However, it didn't give me any great insights into reading with teens, reaching and motivating them, or anything else to inform my teaching practice.

[Cat · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book in college. It's an incredible book about guiding teens and young adults to literature.

[Mindie · Rating 5 out of 5]

A seminal work for me in lighting the fires of literacy for students.