Reviews research on the average reading level in the United States, on how well the average American needs to read, and on what the average American can and does read. (MKM)

A survey shows that for adults, reading is not a substitute for human contact: the socially isolated read less. (MKM)

Reports on certain social and economic indicators that provide a "modestly comprehensive" view of literacy activities, in order to extract an account of the current state and trend of the value and volume of the nation's literacy. Attempts to get a more basic than usual view of literacy, seeing it primarily as an economic activity. (Author/GT)

Reviews secondary school reading research in reading comprehension, vocabulary development, reading interests and habits, textbooks, teaching procedures, and reading in content areas published between 1959 and 1988 in Nigeria. Looks at Nigerian research results from a global perspective. Suggests areas for future research. (RS)

This article outlines how educators can provide appropriate resources for encouraging the love of reading, support strategies that motivate reading, promote the joy of reading across the curriculum, provide a balanced curriculum representing both lifetime literacy and skills instruction, and foster lifelong literacy in students who struggle with…

Focusing on the present state of book development in the Asia-Pacific region, where countries are separated by vast distances, this report examines measures that might improve local book industries and meet the needs for endogenous literature. The various sections of the report discuss (1) the book situation and needs in the Asia-Pacific region;…

Most educators argue that the time children spend watching television detracts from their homework time and leisure time reading, that television watching cultivates skills different from those needed for print literacy and encourages preference for its easier means of acquiring information, and that television content is often nonintellectual and…

This paper discusses the role of reading in the lives of high school students and discusses research that suggests ways to motivate adolescents to read. Research reviewed in the paper indicates that the major factors that influence adolescent reading are gender, age or maturity, intelligence, and socioeconomic background. The summary of the…

Discusses the role of readers' advisors in public libraries based on readers' responses to open-ended, qualitative interviews on reading for pleasure. Topics discussed include how books help people, how readers choose books, what they like and dislike about fiction collections in libraries, and how libraries and librarians can be more helpful to…

A study was conducted to verify and extend the limited research on children's home reading. Subjects, 26 third- and 40 fifth-grade students from two elementary schools were asked to respond to questions concerning their home reading habits and were also interviewed. Data analysis revealed a significant difference between high- and low-ability…

This book is a collection of ideas that have been used in many countries for the encouragement of reading. Its purposes are to provide information about reading and the reading habit; to put forward examples of local, national, and international reading promotion activities selected as useful, representative of different approaches, and adaptable…

Summarizes the history of American magazines for children and adolescents from the eighteenth century through the present, and notes that although young people's magazines may come and go, they always reflect the times. (HOD)

A study investigated the effect Sustained Silent Reading (SSR) has had on literacy at Estancia High School in California which recently implemented an SSR program. It also examined the role SSR has on language development, comprehension, vocabulary, student attitudes, and its corollary consequence on the development of reading habits. A survey of…

A measure was developed to assess kindergarten children's interest in reading, and information about their home and school environments was collected. High-reading-interest children were read to more frequently, watched less television, and had more books at home. School factors are also discussed. (Author/PP)

Provides limited support for the use of newspapers in school. Concludes that the Newspaper in Education (NIE) program does not necessarily increase newspaper readership in adult life. (RL)