A study determined what variables in the home literary environments of ninth-grade students influenced their attitudes toward reading. Subjects, 316 students from 2 ninth-grade classes at 2 metropolitan high schools, were given the Estes Reading Attitude Scale and a researcher-developed, 30-question inventory of their home literary environment. Results indicated that students' reading attitudes were dependent upon the following variables from the early home literary environment: (1) being read to as a child; (2) being read to by more than one person; (3) public library use; (4) giving books as gifts; (5) parental book collections; (6) personal book collections; (7) subscriptions to magazines; and (8) television restrictions. Results also indicated that the following present-day behaviors were related to positive attitudes toward reading: possession of a library card; discussing books and/or magazines with parents; and discussing books with peers. Findings suggest that the literary environment of the home is an important influence on the attitudes toward reading of ninth-grade students--it is reflected in their participation in reading and reading-related activities, especially library membership, personal book collections, and interaction with peers who value books. (Contains 38 references, and 17 tables and one figure of data. Appendixes present the reading attitude scale, the survey administration script, comments from students, and demographic data in the schools.) (Author/RS)