The Common Core State Standards place an emphasis on teaching students to read and understand increasingly complex texts. That teaching requires more than just assigning students hard books and hoping they get better at reading. Teaching starts with a deep understanding about what makes text complex. In this book, you'll learn about the quantitative factors of text complexity as well as the ways in which readers can be matched with texts and tasks. The book focuses on instruction and assessment of complex texts through close readings and extensive discussions. With this understanding, lessons can be developed that ensure students are prepared for the wide range of reading and writing they will do for the rest of their lives.