How do second-language learners become successful readers and writers? This article examines the importance of social networks to English language learners' reading and writing development. It describes different family, peer, and virtual social networks that ELLs can utilize to engage in online and offline reading and writing (especially related to youth popular culture, such as fan fiction) outside school. The article highlights the importance of fostering a participatory culture in classrooms and schools to help ELLs form communities of learners and supporters and facilitate their second-language literacy development. (Contains 2 notes.)