Reading is an essential skill for any student at every point of their education, and absolutely critical for high school, college, and future career success. But reading is more than knowing the meaning of words on a page-it"s being able to identify concepts, analyze arguments, and respond to questions, retain information, and apply what you"ve read-all the essential skills that compose solid reading comprehension. Junior Skill Builders: Reading in 15 Minutes a Day will show you how to become an active reader-someone who not only reads, but connects with what"s written. That"s the goal, to be involved with what you read and to think about what the writer"s really trying to communicate to you. What"s the best part? Mastering reading doesn"t have to take a long time . . . and it doesn"t have to be difficult! In just one month, students will gain expertise and ease in understanding and remembering what they read, which will set them on a course for success for the rest of their lives. How? Each lesson breaks the reading process down into smaller parts, so that each day builds upon what was learned the previous day. Before long, a student"s reading comprehension has increased remarkably-one step at a time. In just 15 minutes a day, students gain an essential understanding of: Words with multiple meanings Synonyms and antonyms Prefixes and suffixes Context clues Denotation and connotation Genre: Fiction and nonfiction Style and tone Text features Main idea and supporting details Chronology Comparing and contrasting Cause and effect Fact and opinion Making inferences Drawing conclusions Summarizing Character and setting Plot: Conflict and resolution Point of view Theme Imagery Flashback and foreshadowing Idiom, personification, hyperbole Similes and metaphors In addition to all the essential practice that kids need to ace classroom tests, pop quizzes, class participation, and standardized exams, Junior Skill Builders: Reading in 15 Minutes a Day provides parents with an easy and accessible way to help their children excel. All it takes is just 15 minutes a day!