Reading and writing for pleasure represent issues of global concern and interest in policy, research and practice, underpinned by evidence illustrating their importance for young people’s academic, social and emotional experiences and outcomes. In the face of a sustained decline in children’s enjoyment in both reading and writing, this highly significant book presents findings from a three-year study of research and practice that nurtures young people’s engagement as readers and writers.

The book offers a rich understanding of the study, highlighting the commonalities and synergies identified from the research literature and diverse practice contexts. It introduces a new and powerful Reading and Writing Framework for Practice for schools and charitable literacy programmes. The authors offer practical strategies and recommendations throughout for practitioners, researchers and policy makers who wish to advance this agenda in their own contexts. Areas covered include:

• The nature of reading and writing for pleasure
• Literate identities
• Motivating readers and writers
• Social interactions
• Role models and connected communities
• Future research, practice and policy

This field-defining text is a key resource for all those committed to halting the decline in young people’s engagement as volitional readers and writers.