In a socially just world, everyone would have an equal chance to become an enthusiastic reader. This article presents a detailed 'asset map' of a successful reading life and investigates three necessary components for creating readers: access, choice and time to read. Access to books, the chance and the requisite knowledge to choose reading…

Although teacher librarians play a role as literacy and literature educators in schools, little research attention is given to this role. In addition, the use of book discussion in school libraries to enhance reading engagement is not often closely considered as an educative practice. This paper draws on qualitative research findings from…

Being concerned about the decline in recreational reading among adolescent students, with several colleagues, the author began brainstorming ideas on how to better promote reading. One of the ideas that kept recurring was hosting a book club for students. Since the focus would be on reintroducing the idea of reading for pleasure and not just for…

School leadership research offers prescriptions for strong instructional and culturally relevant leadership for diverse and urban adolescent populations, yet little evidence describes how school principals impact adolescents' in-school reading experiences. This qualitative inquiry sought to understand how one urban secondary principal perceived…

The Teacher & Principal School Report series showcases the results of a national survey of more than 4,700 public school Pre-K-12 educators on critical issues affecting schools and districts across the country. With two in-depth reports, Scholastic has explored equity in education as well as literacy, each with a special look at factors from…

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…

The use of electronic reading devices has proliferated in the last few years. These reading devices appear to be particularly popular with young readers. A generation of students that has grown up with computers, cell phones, iPods, and other high-tech devices is more likely to embrace electronic book technology for both their educational and…

Students and teachers are feeling the brunt of "No Child Left Behind," trying to make meaningful academic growth with ever decreasing resources. School library media specialist are considered one of the most valuable resources in any school building. As the ultimate "resource manager," library media specialists can contribute…

Urges librarians to provide greater color, drama, and warmth to their libraries if they would win children's continuing interest and increase their pleasure in returning to the library as a place too good to miss. (Author)

New children's books in all fields are listed under age groups and briefly reviewed. This section also includes a list of books for young adults and an author/title index to The Book Review.'' (200 references) (DH)

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…

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…

Providing rich supply of high-interest story books is more feasible policy for literacy education than urgent exhortations to improve teacher quality. Free reading profoundly improves students' reading and writing ability, spelling, grammar, and vocabulary. The quality of a country s or state's school libraries significantly predicts its reading…

SIXTEEN ARTICLES PRESENT DISCUSSIONS OF THE ROLE OF THE LIBRARY AND CHILDREN'S LITERATURE IN THE TOTAL SCHOOL READING PROGRAM. THE ARTICLES OFFER SUGGESTIONS FOR BUILDING POSITIVE ATTITUDES IN READING, PLANNING THE LITERATURE PROGRAM, USING BASAL READERS TO FOSTER READING, STIMULATING READING HABITS, AND DEVELOPING THE LIBRARY SKILLS AND READING…

The major premise of this book is the reaffirmation of the concept that skill and interest in reading are interdependent and inseparable and that neither goal is reached unless both are pursued simultaneously. Part I identifies problems involved in improving reading guidance programs and describes the forces and factors that influence the reader…