Articles in this issue focus on adolescent literature. The first article is a reflection by author Katie Letcher Lyle on her personal experiences since the publication of her last novel. The second article examines the dramatic power of the novels of Alice Childress. The third article reports the results of a questionnaire on the reading…

Evidence that shows the value of free voluntary reading (FVR) for language acquisition and literacy development is reviewed. Additional evidence is reported showing the advantages of FVR as a source of ideas and information, contributor to life success, and inhibitor of verbal memory decline. (Contains 34 references.) (LB)

Discussion of the reassessment of undergraduate education focuses on the element of critical thinking. Topics include language and reasoning, the power of stories and narrative structure, critical thinking and bibliographic instruction, enrichment reading and academic libraries, reasoning in an image and electronic culture, and the role of the…

The review of the literature related to newspaper reading presented in this paper provides a useful background to educators seeking to broaden their understanding of newspaper research and its implications for classroom practice. The research is divided into readability studies, readership studies, and cognition, comprehension, and text analysis…

Scholastic journalism studies are almost entirely limited to students' First Amendment rights; principals' and teachers' knowledge of, or attitudes toward, scholastic journalism (including why they think students should work on publications); publication content and design analyses; trends in female and minority staffers; publications' finances;…

Cites research suggesting that extensive reading is as effective as intensive reading in developing general reading ability and is more effective in promoting good attitudes among elementary and secondary school students toward reading. (MM)

The author summarizes a research review conducted at William Paterson College. Information is presented on the amount of time spent watching television, types of programs preferred by different age groups, and the impact of television on reading habits and achievement. No consistent relationship between TV viewing and achievement was found. (SJL)

Explains the rationale behind freshman English course assignments in writing, a rationale based on conclusions of three research projects that relate to the writing process. (MKM)

This article summarizes some of the recent research on boys and reading that has been primarily conducted in Australia but is also available online to international readers. The research makes it clear that many boys are still reading, but competing claims on their busy lives easily sidetrack them from making reading their main activity. Educators…

This paper explores reading for pleasure, its importance, and its impact on literacy attainment and other outcomes and reviews much of the research on the importance of reading for pleasure. A debate has been rife in the UK over the past few years as to how best to teach children to read, which culminated in an "Independent Review of the…

Visual and ICT media are often perceived as a threat to book reading in leisure time. They are accused of taking time and interest away from children and adolescents' book reading by offering them more approachable alternatives. Children and adolescents' book reading habits and the way these habits have changed over time are in focus. Is there any…

This book draws attention to the issue of access to literature and highlights some of its complex aspects--physical, psychological, educational, and economic--to discover ways of increasing that access. Focusing on what the barriers between people and literature are and on how they may be removed, the book uses interviews to investigate the…

Intended for use by those interested in promoting books and reading in the world, this report describes the state of books and reading in Kenya. Following a brief description of Kenya, major sections of the report deal with authorship, publishing, physical production, distribution, reading habits, professional training, and legal and institutional…

Intended to help parents and teachers select books for young people that reflect the actual interests of adolescents, this booklet discusses titles that both appeal to teenagers and help adults gain insight into their needs, their concerns, and their values. Titles of chapters in the booklet are as follows: (1) "Are Young Adult Books…

Reviews the research on the harmful effects of reading from a horizontal surface. Urges educators to teach children proper body-book position and, where possible, to supply book holders. (ARH)