From phonological processing to brain research to orthographic mapping to self-teaching hypothesis, "Shifting the Balance" cuts through the rhetoric (and the sciencey science) to offer readers a practical guide to decision-making about beginning reading instruction. The authors honor the balanced literacy perspective while highlighting common practices to reconsider and revise--all through a lens of what's best for the students sitting in front of us. Across six shifts, each chapter: (1) identifies a common instructional practice to reconsider; (2) explores various misunderstandings that establish and keep that practice in play; (3) shares scientific research to support its reconsideration; (4) proposes an instructional shift to apply a new perspective; and (5) details several high-leverage instructional routines to support implementation of that shift. By pinpointing gaps and overlaps--as well as common misunderstandings and missed opportunities between the competing lines of thought--Jan and Kari offer busy educators direction and clarification for integrating science and balance into their daily instruction, while keeping meaningful experiences with text a priority.