Presents the comments of an 11-year-old and his mother regarding what is so magical about the Harry Potter series of books. Notes the child enjoyed the fantasy aspects and the animals in the books; and the mother appreciates the sheer fun of reading the books and that the characters show sensitivity and caring for each other. (RS)

Sixty-nine grade 2 boys participated in a study of the effects of book genre and sex of reading model on boys' (a) view of reading as feminine, (b) intrinsic motivation toward reading, (c) interest in reading, and (d) attitude to reading. Differential effects occurred in boys based on whether they liked or disliked reading and whether they viewed…

Researchers concerned with curriculum differentiation for gifted and talented students have long promoted the benefits of providing opportunities for students to explore their personal interests within the regular curriculum. Many literacy researchers have also concluded that teachers can improve students' (especially boys') attitudes toward…

Recent developments in literacy teaching have tended to target the needs of primary, rather than high school pupils and focus on technical, rather than affective aspects of reading. This paper describes a questionnaire-based study undertaken to identify perceptions and views held by Key Stage 3 readers of different ages, genders and abilities.…

The study investigated reading attitudes and interests of 30 fourth through ninth grade gifted and talented students. The data were gathered through the use of a questionnaire, which included statements with Likert type scale responses, multiple-choice, and short answers. Methods used to analyze the data were individual item analysis, analysis of…

Outlines the steps in presenting a "book talk." Argues that it can be an effective way to broaden children's awareness of literature while developing their verbal skills. (FL)

Reports the results of a longitudinal study that associated reading achievement with volume of reading and the selection of a book with its content, appearance, and its popularity with the reader's friends. (AEA)

A study was made of the relationships between the number and clarity of mental images reported by college readers and their reported interest, perceived reading ease, and comprehension scores. Imagery ratings were not significantly related to comprehension scores, but for concrete passages they were significantly related to attitude and reading…

Finds that reading practices involving books and work documents bore a strong relationship to literacy proficiencies, and that younger adults were more likely to read brief documents for work, while older adults were more avid newspaper readers. Concludes that engaging in a diversity of reading practices is indicative of reading maturity and has…

A study examined the commonalities that "voracious" readers share, and how their experiences can guide parents, teachers, and librarians in assisting children to become self-actualized readers. Subjects, 25 adults ranging in age from 20 to 67 years, completed a questionnaire concerning their reading histories and habits. Respondents…

The great majority of the Founding Fathers were readers. In fact, the leading political figures of late eighteenth-century America were generally, and often intimately, acquainted with the output of the greatest European minds of the day--and of the minds of the ancient western world. Two factors above all placed an ineffaceable stamp on the…

The study examined the reading interests, attitudes, and habits of fourth, fifth, and sixth grade gifted students. The data were gathered from the 69 state assisted gifted programs in Missouri by means of a survey developed by the investigator. The Ss were limited to the fourth, fifth, and sixth grade gifted children whose program coordinators…

Identifies four groups of readers (heavy, sporadic, scanner, and apathetic) and classifies them on the basis of individual, environmental, and stimulus factors. Emphasizes the importance of environmental factors (time, peer influence, parental reading habits, etc.) in explaining differences in adolescent newspaper readership. (PD)

Notes that while teachers see the value of reading, they personally prefer to watch television in their leisure time. In addition, they prefer to engage their students in independent activities not necessarily related to reading tasks than to encourage them to read books or listen to books being read. (FL)

A study examined how, when, and under what conditions severe dyslexics developed high literacy skills, as well as the role of gender differences in literacy development and professional success. Subjects were 60 highly successful dyslexic adults (30 men and 30 women) and 10 nondyslexic male and female normative controls. Results indicated that…