To investigate the effects on students' reading attitudes and interests of sustained silent reading as opposed to reading aloud, a study divided 50 urban third graders into two groups, with 25 in each group. One group of students engaged in an 8-week period of sustained silent reading which was teacher directed before and after the reading process. The other group was read to aloud by the teacher for 8 weeks using carefully selected books of varying genres. The Estes Attitudes Scale of reading attitudes was used as a pre and posttest measure for both groups. No significant differences in attitudes or interests were found between the two groups. (One table of data is included, 28 references are attached, and the scores and test instruments are appended.) (SR)