Other People’s Words

“An engaging book that makes a unique contribution to literacy research by offering answers to the ‘why’s’ of low literacy… [It] graphically portrays the ways in which the mainstream society and the educational system effectively exclude [the illiterate]… Other People’s Words is a highly readable and richly layered exploration of literacy learning. As qualitative research, it accomplishes what no empirical study can—it transcends the subjects of the study, making vast connections to the functions and effects of literacy practice in lives of adults, children, families, schools, and communities.”—Lynn Sampson, Journal of Adolescent and Adult Literacy

“A powerful depiction of the literacy learning process.”—Doris Bergen, Readings

“This two-year case study of the author’s work with one family is situated within a more general concern for families whom the educational system seems to be failing… Replacing a predominant deficit view of low socio-economic status minority populations, the author adopts a sociocultural view of learning and an emergent literacy perspective in this detailed account of the acquisition of literacy and the relationship between print and culture. Engagingly written and widely referenced, this is a useful book for anyone considering the nature of family literacy and the interface of literacy learning and cultural experiences, including teachers, students and parents.”—National Literacy Trust’s 1997 Bibliography