The purchase of $3,500 worth of paperback books led to 70 percent participation in an Ohio high school reading program run by the library-media center. (An annotated sampling of paperback titles purchased for the reading program is provided.) (MKM)

Reviews physical and mental factors that influence the reading habits of older Americans. Discusses their motivations for reading, reading programs for institutionalized elders, ways to encourage older people to use the public library, and other ways to encourage older people to read. (SKC)

Reinforces the idea of the importance of home influences in early reading behavior. Reveals a significant positive correlation between the literary environment of the home and the "literacy set" of a child in a preschool setting. (FL)

Reports findings of a study in which third-grade students gave reasons why children and adults should read. Reveals that the children saw reading as a utilitarian activity both for children and adults. (FL)

Argues that affective dimensions are basic in the development of gifted learners' reading potential. Examines two crucial affective areas--interest and attitude--and suggests instructional applications that can stengthen reading programs for gifted learners. (FL)

Describes a method for sparking interest in classic literature by having students develop a table of comparison of the major similarities in plot, character, theme, and structure for a young adult novel and a classic work. Illustrates with a comparison of "The Catcher in the Rye" and "The Stranger." (HTH)

Compares the reading interests of middle school Black and White students from the same socioeconomic background. Concludes that there is a high correlation between being Black and choosing certain books and being White and choosing other books. (FL)

Discusses a number of children's books that can be used in conjunction with basal readers to enhance students' reading skills. Presents ideas under the following categories: multiple meanings, skills reinforcement, repetition of sounds, patterned language, and interest in words. Includes an extensive bibliography. (FL)

Investigates the reading behaviors and perceived reading status of 42 teacher education majors. Finds that teacher education students, whether labeling themselves as "frequent" or "occasional" readers, view themselves as readers in a literate society who will serve as role models to promote literacy in prospective students.…

Examines 773 elementary-age children's choices of hard- and paper-backed trade books to determine cover preference. Reveals that paperbacks were preferred. Notes that children's reasons for selecting books did not significantly differ by sex, race, grade level, or any combinations. (RAE)

Studies the effects of tutorial instruction, utilizing students' interests and trade books, on the attitudes of poor readers. Suggests that the attitudes of poor readers may be positively influenced through such instruction in an integrated language arts approach. (HB)

Investigates reading preferences of an ethnically and economically diverse group of sixth-grade students from three middle schools. Shows that light materials (scary series books, comics, and magazines) top the list for every sub-group of students. Finds very limited availability of preferred materials in school; and shows that most students…

This article reports the results of a study examining the reading attitudes of the Russian people. This study also investigates the motives that guide adults in their choice of literature. Researchers have noted that two motives stand out: (1) "normative" or "pragmatic" reading (for school, exams, and reports; for carrying out…

An important research paradigm applied to the study of adolescent resistance to reading--listening to student voice--has yielded rich information regarding adolescent literacy practices, adolescent agency, and adolescent identity as components of resistance to reading. Instructional perspectives of teachers and researchers also serve to shed light…

A study examined gender attitudes toward reading in students enrolled in the six sections of the Developmental Reading program at Kean College of New Jersey in the spring of 1996. The Mazurkiewicz Masculine-Feminine Attitude Survey (1960) was used with a forced choice of "mostly masculine" or "mostly feminine." Surveys of 26…