Reading Development and Difficulties is a comprehensive and balanced introduction to the development of the two core aspects of reading: good word reading skills and the ability to extract the overall meaning of a text. * Unique in its balanced coverage of both word reading and reading comprehension development, this book is an essential resource for undergraduates studying literacy acquisition * Offers wide coverage of the subject and discusses both typical development and the development of difficulties in reading * Accessibly written for students and professionals with no previous background in reading development or reading difficulties * Provides a detailed examination of the specific problems that underlie reading difficulties .