AdLit.org is a national multimedia project offering information and resources to the parents and educators of struggling adolescent readers and writers. AdLit.org is an educational initiative of WETA, the flagship public television and radio station in the nation's capital, and is funded by Carnegie Corporation of New York and by the Ann B. and Thomas L. Friedman Family Foundation.
In Focus: Summer Learning for Teens
Did you know that two-thirds of the academic achievement gap between disadvantaged students and their higher-achieving peers is attributable to how they spend their summers? Learning shouldn't stop when school is out, so we offer you a veritable beach bag of ideas to help keep students engaged and challenged during the summertime.
Featured Expert
Meet the Expert:
Ron Fairchild
Ron Fairchild, executive director of the Johns Hopkins Univeristy Center for Summer Learning, discusses the components and benefits of quality summer programs.
Ron Fairchild, exectutive director of the Johns Hopkins Univeristy Center for Summer Learning, discusses the components and benefits of quality summer programs.
Young Adult Books and Authors
AdLit.org Author Interview with
David Lubar
David Lubar is the author of a variety of short stories and novels. This former video game programmer has connected with his adolescent audience through a shared love of adventure and explosions. More »
AdLit.org Booklist: Asian Pacific American Heritage
Since 1978, Asian Pacific American Heritage has been celebrated in America, first with a week, now with the entire month of May. Many books featuring Asian Americans have been published in the last few years, including several Printz and Newbery winners.More »
AdLit.org Booklist: Hot Summer Reads
What do you plan to do this summer? Whether it's taking trips, visiting family, or hanging out at home, wherever you go and whatever you do, be sure to take along a few books.
May we make a few suggestions? Our Hot Summer Reads booklist includes some romance, some sports, some travel, and even a little gore. More »
Contest News
Letters from The White House Writing Contest
We received more than 1,500 entries from young writers in 35 states, and our judges have finally made their decisions. Visit the contest page to see the winners' names and to print a certificate of participation, but don't forget to check back early next week to read the winning entries. Thanks and congratulations to everyone who participated.
Featured Strategy
Question the Author
Question the Author (QtA) is a comprehension strategy that requires students to pose queries while reading the text in order to challenge their understanding and solidify their knowledge. Primarily used with nonfiction text, QtA lets students critique the author's writing and in doing so engage with the text to create a deeper meaning.
Browse Classroom Strategies Library for more techniques to improve students' vocabulary, reading comprehension, and writing.
AdLit.org Featured Partner
Newspaper Association of America Foundation
New research conducted for the NAA Foundation provides clear evidence that student journalists earn better high school grades, perform at higher levels on college entrance exams, and receive higher grades in college writing and grammar courses than students who lack that experience.
The High School Journalism Matters study builds on previous NAA Foundation research showing that students who work on their high school newspapers or student-oriented sections of their hometown papers and who use newspapers in class or for homework are more engaged in civic activities, and better-educated and more involved citizens as they grow older.
Memorable Quote
"Never trust anyone who has not brought a book with them."
— Horseradish: Bitter Truths
You Can't Avoid
By Lemony Snicket
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AdLit.org is funded by:
the Ann B. and Thomas L. Friedman Family Foundation and Carnegie Corporation of New York. The statements and views expressed are solely the responsibility of the author(s).
Community
AdLit.org Daily Quiz
Every day you get an answer right, you'll be entered into our monthly drawing for a $20 gift certificate to Amazon.com!
Our Featured Sister Site
How young children learn to read, why so many struggle, and how caring adults can help.
Our Fans Speak Up
“After spending the previous day in a seminar about Academic Vocabulary, I was pleased to receive the AdLit.org web page. It complements the previous day's program by providing all sorts of useful items (e.g., Exit Slips) that can be used to improve the cognitive abilities of the special education students that I teach. Thank you. Keep up the fine work!”
- Jim B.
