Methods and programs are disclosed for a computer-based method of teaching reading comprehension skills in connection one or more pre-selected books, the computer program providing a selection of before-reading, during-reading and after reading exercises to be completed by a student in association with the pre-selected book. The exercises are tailored to the particular book by integrating details of book's author, characters, plot, setting, theme, point of view and the like. Before-reading exercises can include preview, connect, purpose and plan exercises; during-reading exercises can include timeliness character maps, puzzles, question and answer problems, summaries and the like; and after-reading exercises can include summary, discussion, question and answer, timeline, reflection exercises and the like. The method involves completing one or more of the before-reading exercises, reading a portion of the book and completing one or more of the during reading exercises corresponding thereto, completing the book followed by completing one ore more of the after-reading exercises.