While the critical importance of summer reading loss is receiving more attention than in the past, not all summer reading programs are alike. Featuring three new chapters and extensive updating, the second edition of this groundbreaking book describes current research that confirms the importance of key elements in the authors' summer reading…

Long overlooked, reading volume is actually central to the development of reading proficiencies, especially in the development of fluent reading proficiency. Generally no one in schools monitors the actual volume of reading that children engage in. We know that the commonly used commercial core reading programs provide only material that requires…

In an effort to demonstrate the influence of reading, a reading and skills improvement instructor asked college students what book made the greatest difference in their lives and what that difference was. The instructor polled 120 students and listed 20 of those responses and their emotional reactions. Book titles ranged from "The Bible" and "A…

Children rated books they had read; the more recently a book was read the more likely it was to be rated as enjoyable. The findings are discussed with reference to the problems of teachers and librarians who select books for children. (Editor)

Few children possess the knowledge and experience to identify the best books from the numbers that flood the market, so it is wise for authors, publishers, librarians, teachers, and parents to be aware of any body of informed critical opinion regarding excellence in books for children. The contribution of the conscientious critic is as valuable to…

Discusses market research indicating that eight children's and nine teen's magazines are in the top 100 magazines sold on the newsstand and by subscription. Estimates that a minimum of from 9 to 12 million magazines go into the hands of juveniles every month. (MKM)

Describes a case study in which four adult female students of English as a Second Language participated in a free reading program for several months, reading books in the Sweet Valley series written for children and youth. Shows that all four women became enthusiastic readers and that their ability to speak and understand everyday English improved…

Reveals that there are definite factors fifth- through eighth-grade students consider when choosing books for personal reading, including (1) peer recommendations, (2) movie and television tie-ins, and (3) information provided on the book jacket. (FL)

Presents a study of adult reading habits based on time use. Indicates a decline in daily newspaper readership, particularly in the past 10 years, but a revival in magazine and book reading for the same period. (JMF)

This study was based on the idea that a structural analysis of picture storybooks might offer implications for the use of structural criticism in the teaching of children's literature. One hundred picture storybooks were analyzed inductively for certain basic components of plot structure which were termed actions. The analysis of the books…

A picture inventory is a useful means of determining reading interests of children in the intermediate grades. (JH)

Analyzes the relationship between amount of time devoted to leisure reading by Irish elementary school children and a series of personal, home, and school variables. Reports that reading consumed 5.4 percent of available leisure time and that the variables considered accounted for only 22.9 percent of the variation in time in book reading. (MKM)

A study was made to determine which books children borrowed, how many of these were quality literature, and what interests were revealed. This was accomplished by noting all books checked out during a two-month period in one elementary school library, and by designating as quality literature those books listed in the "Children's Catalog." Analysis…

Concludes that both boys and girls benefited from reading sex-appropriate content as opposed to content that was self-selected. Confirms that strong group feelings about reading exist outside a sex-typed pattern of interests. (FL)

The twofold purpose of this study was to determine the reasons and motivations for the choice of favorite books made by fifth grade children and to determine whether teachers and librarians were able to identify the reasons influencing the children in this selection. Results showed that primary interest areas were animals, mystery and ghost…