In a self-study the main author examines the difficulties and challenges his students experience in their literary development. The central question is: How can my teaching support students in their literary development? This self-study is supported by a research group, examining together one literature lesson given by the main author, striving towards an in-depth analysis of the lesson, using a theoretical framework that focuses on interaction and literary development. Besides a more in-depth view in literary development of secondary school students, this study creates opportunities to analyse the interaction patterns among students, and between teacher and students.