This provocative new title in the "NCRLL Collection" is a call to action for new and experienced scholars to examine their bias and adopt a more critically conscious stance in their work. Balancing an historical grounding with contemporary research, this book focuses on how critical theories are manifested in language and literacy research. The authors discuss critical consciousnesses in various places, at various times in the world, and at varying levels in language and literacy research. They examine some overlooked roots and routes to present-day critical thinking and predict how branches of theorizing may emerge, evolve, and transform research in a democratic society.