Learning to read should be easy and effortless, but in schools today it often is not. Why is this so? In his characteristically readable and provocative style, Frank Smith examines these and other questions, and provides answers. The author of over 20 books on reading, writing, thinking, and learning, Frank Smith is an acknowledged world leader in clarifying critical issues for teachers. In his latest book, he addresses questions that he is frequently asked at workshops and conferences about learning, prediction, phonics, stories, meaning, writing, and the brain.