Bess Altwerger is the author or editor of three books with Heinemann: ReReading Fluency (2007), Reading for Profit (2005), and Whole Language: What's the Difference? (1990). She is Professor of Elementary Education and Graduate Reading at Towson University. Bess has worked to develop critical literacy pedagogies that prepare students to build a more just, democratic, and sustainable future. Her current activies are devoted to transforming repressive literacy policies, reprofessionalizing teaching, and returning joy to classrooms.