Bridging the Gap: College Reading

For courses in Developmental Reading.

A comprehensive guide to reading, understanding, and retaining college-level material

Bridging the Gap: College Reading is trusted for its scaffolded approach to building upon prior knowledge, or schemata, and its unmatched quality and quantity of exercises. The higher-level text in the acclaimed Smith/Morris two-book series, it gives students ample opportunities to apply their skills, ultimately building new “bridges” with text-to-text, text-to-world, and text-to-self connections.

The 13th Edition upholds the philosophy and approach of previous editions, but in an updated and contemporary manner. The authors encourage students to build on their previous reading experience to develop strategies for the demands of college reading; each chapter is a stepping stone to the next. Readings have been updated throughout and include many engaging, relevant topics pertinent to the college community. Examples from respected sources such as The Associated Press and the Los Angeles Times model strong writing, and lexile levels have been added next to longer readings.

Also available with MyLab Reading 

By combining trusted author content with digital tools and a flexible platform, MyLab Reading personalizes the learning experience and improves results for each student. 

Note: You are purchasing a standalone product; MyLab Reading does not come packaged with this content. Students, if interested in purchasing this title with MyLab Reading, ask your instructor to confirm the correct package ISBN and Course ID. Instructors, contact your Pearson representative for more information.

If you would like to purchase both the text and MyLab Reading, search for:

0135300401 / 9780135300404 NEW MyLab Reading with Pearson eText -- Access Card -- for Bridging the Gap: College Reading, 13/e 

About our authors

Dr. Brenda Smith, Professor Emerita of Georgia State University, is the author of Bridging the Gap: College Reading, Breaking Through: College Reading, and the Reader's Handbook. Dr. Smith has authored other books on college reading and test-taking and was the general editor of a series of study skills books for 5 different content areas. Dr. Smith taught Developmental Studies Reading at GSU and developed Freshman Orientation courses for the university. She was twice awarded “Outstanding Article of the Journal of Developmental Education.” Other awards include Distinguished Alumni Professor, Distinguished Georgia Educator, and Georgia Reading Teacher of the Year. Dr. Smith lives in Atlanta and serves on the Advisory Boards of the Shepherd Spinal Center and the Members Guild of the Atlanta History Center.

Dr. LeeAnn Morris has more than 20 years of community college teaching experience and is committed to helping students achieve their college and career goals. She takes great satisfaction in continuing Brenda Smith's legacy of excellence by shepherding Breaking Through: College Reading and Bridging the Gap: College Reading through their current editions. 

LeeAnn is a Distinguished Faculty professor at San Jacinto College near Houston, where she has been honored with the Outstanding Faculty Award. She served as chair of the College Preparatory Department and is delighted to return to the classroom full time to teach 2 levels of integrated reading and writing courses.

LeeAnn is an avid reader and believer in the power and pleasure of lifelong reading. She has done extensive research on reading workshop approaches for college developmental reading students. She has witnessed the satisfaction and growth that come from reading often and widely and has incorporated the reading workshop concept into her teaching, along with Breaking Through and Bridging the Gap.