It has long been thought that encouraging children to read is likely to be beneficial for the development of their literacy skills. However, a lot less attention has been paid to the issue of whether what students read matters for their academic progress. This paper therefore considers the association between the frequency young people read five…

Secondary school libraries often look much like research centers with banks of computers linked to databases related to curriculum topics. A glance into the library shows teens using online resources for research while trying to check their MySpace or Facebook page when they think the teacher or librarian is not looking. The librarian's weekly…

Discusses whether books and reading as a leisure activity have a future, noting the impact of the modern mass media, especially television; highlighting the loss of the rich tradition of the western humanities and the educational significance of this tradition; and looking at the humanities, the novel, and the death of the novel. (SM)

Explores the enormous attraction for young readers of series books (such as Nancy Drew, Hardy Boys, and currently "The Baby-Sitters Club"). Discusses what children might learn from such reading, often thought of as pap literature by adults. (SR)

Books for children to read during the summer are recommended, including "Learning's" choice of the 10 best new books of the year. Selections range from fairy tales and picture books for very young readers to books suitable for adolescents. (PP)

This second revised edition of a guide to books for adolescents is designed for use by parents, teachers, and librarians and has been rewritten to reflect the most recent developments in education and society. New chapters discuss reading rights or censorship, drama, literature by and about women, and science fiction and fantasy. Other chapters…

Superior high school students (975 finalists in the NCTE Achievement Awards Program) were surveyed to find what one book was most significant to each of them in their high school experiences, and the reason for the significance. In response to questionnaires, the students cited 416 different titles, 72% of which were novels. The top 10 books were…