In an attempt to bring readers "on-the-ground" insights about effective urban literacy instruction, the authors interviewed three literacy educators who have extensive experience with learners in urban school environments. Each of them has taught literacy and developed teaching practices for urban schools, as well as conducted action research to test the efficacy of their practices. This article draws upon the voices and ideas of these three urban literacy practitioners who suggest what it takes to have effective elementary and middle school literacy instruction for urban students. ("Effective Literacy Instruction for Urban Children: Voices from the Classroom" was written in collaboration with Diana Dumetz Carry, Neshellda Johnson, and Des Remona Morgan.)