Teachers recognize that frequent independent reading increases student knowledge on a wide range of topics, enhances vocabulary, and improves comprehension. "Ban the Book Report" inspires teachers to go beyond narrow and analytical book reports by exploring the potential of book talks, alternate book covers, identifying features of informational…

Describes a project for middle school librarians to use to motivate students to read for pleasure. Explains activities based on the idea of a mystery at the school, and describes how clues were developed and linked to books in certain genres that students had to read. (LRW)

Examines what motivates students to read by looking at four literacy personalities. Explores readers' beliefs, readers' reasons and purposes, and readers' affective reactions. Proposes that self-efficacy is important at the beginning of a literacy event. Provides some practical ideas for classroom teachers to discover students' literacy…