The Jacob's Ladder Reading Comprehension Program targets reading comprehension skills in high-ability learners by moving students through an inquiry process from basic understanding to critical analysis of texts, using a field-tested method developed by the Center for Gifted Education at The College of William and Mary. This work contains readings in poetry, myth, and nonfiction, lessons, and reproducible worksheets and record keeping forms for level five of the program. The lessons cover skills such as sequencing, understanding cause and effect, classifying, making generalizations and inferences, and recognizing themes and concepts. An appendix includes sample questions and four levels of sample answers. There is no subject index. VanTassel-Baska is professor emerita of education at the The College of William and Mary. Stambaugh teaches special education at Vanderbilt University, Annotation ©2011 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)