Literacy as Conversation: Learning Networks in Urban and Rural Communities [Paperback]

InLiteracy as Conversation, the authors tell stories of successful literacy learning outside of schools and inside communities, both within urban neighborhoods of Philadelphia and rural and semi-rural towns of Arkansas. They define literacy not as a basic skill but as a rich, broadly interactive human behavior: the ability to engage in a conversation carried on, framed by, or enriched through written symbols. Eli Goldblatt takes us to after-school literacy programs, community arts centers, and urban farms in the city of Philadelphia, while David Jolliffe explores learning in a Latinx youth theater troupe, a performance based on the words of men on death row, and long-term cooperation with a rural health care provider in Arkansas. As different as urban and rural settings can be—and as beset as they both are with the challenges of historical racism and economic discrimination—the authors see much to encourage both geographical communities to fight for positive change.“Literacy as Conversationoffers a deep dive into community literacy projects that work in both urban and rural areas. It advocates for more partners in shoring up the sagging corners of American communities in which literacy is badly needed, and it provides inspiration to those in search of ideas for their own neighborhoods. The book’s approach encourages readers to understand community literacy first, then see it in action, then consider ways to adopt it in their won corners of the world. Indeed, Goldblatt and Jolliffe’s reminder that ‘literacy is action’ is a powerful epitaph for change.”—Teachers College Record“Literacy as Conversationoffers a deep dive into community literacy projects that work in both urban and rural areas. It advocates for more partners in shoring up the sagging corners of American communities in which literacy is badly needed.” —Teachers College Record“LlsC