This article presents partial results of an ethnographic study about literacy practices among adolescents living near the United States-Mexico border. The students became involved in literacy practices with their friends and family at home. These practices were related to the adolescents' interests in popular culture such as reading magazines or webpages about their favorite bands and telenovelas. Although the dominant views of literacy (e.g., needing English literacy to pass the state standardized test) saturated observed school practices, vernacular practices of adolescents could be incorporated in school literacy instruction, promoting students' engagement.