Now in its second edition, this best-seller helps middle schoolers boost their comprehension and critical thinking when reading nonfiction.

53 short passages have been selected for Critical Thinking: Readings in Nonfiction, covering a wide range of topics, with provocative titles:

• Across the Atlantic in a Sailboat
• Gifts from Outer Space
• Clever But Deadly
• Misery Brings Success

Each passage is followed by a mix of standardized test-like multiple-choice and open-ended questions. Students are prompted to critique the writers’ assumptions, while developing their own analytical skills.

The 53 passages are grouped in units that target specific critical-thinking skills, such as:

• Distinguishing Among Facts, Assumptions, and Values
• Recognizing Cause-Effect Relationships
• Identifying Persuasive Techniques

Critical Thinking: Readings in Nonfiction also comes in a high school book .