Beyond the Bedtime Story: Understanding and Promoting Reading Development During the Middle School Years was written for educators, parents, and all who care about promoting the reading development of middle school students. The book fills a much-needed void in scholarly literature by considering the unique developmental nature of early adolescence. Although the authors highlight many of the challenges with promoting reading achievement during the middle school transition years, their hope is that this user-friendly book will suggest ways that reading can remain a critical part of middle school students' lives, both in and out of school, so that we can create a nation of life-long readers. This book also encourages practitioners and family members to accept the challenge of creatively engaging reluctant readers so that all middle school students will share in the literacy legacy begun in preschools and elementary schools and offers practical strategies to build this legacy.

Nicholas D. Young, PhD, EdD has worked in diverse educational roles for more than 30 years, serving as a teacher, principal, counselor, special education director, graduate professor, graduate program director, graduate dean, and longtime superintendent of schools. He was named the Massachusetts Superintendent of the Year. Dr. Young holds several graduate degrees including a PhD in educational administration and an EdD in educational psychology. Dr. Young has written extensively in the fields of education, counseling, and psychology.