This critical review of "Becoming a Nation of Readers" states that the Commission on Reading report contains sensible and practical recommendations, though it is not wholly representative of all the available research on reading and it contains occasional insensitivities to the potential problems within its recommendations. The first chapter of the report describes skilled reading as a process in which good readers use their prior knowledge to construct meaning from the text, thus setting the tone for the remainder of the report, which does not contain much new information on reading instruction. The chapter on emerging literacy recommends that phonics be taught early and be completed by the end of second grade, which could lead to an overreaction on the part of some, and that children be instructed to read silently before they read orally, which seems reasonable. The chapter on extending literacy recommends that teachers avoid relying solely on readability formulas for determining text difficulty. Direct teaching of comprehension instruction is highly recommended. Finally, the chapter on teachers' educational and professional development notes several issues and recommendations: higher admission standards for prospective teachers, improved salaries, lengthening of the teacher preparation program, transition programs for novice teachers, greater attention to the professional development of veteran teachers, and effective school climates for promoting literacy. This review concludes that "Becoming a Nation of Readers" deserves to be read not so much for the research behind it as for the practicality of the recommendations growing out of that research. (SRT)