Recommends Louis L'Amour's books to adolescents on the basis that the books will motivate them to read more, expose them to a strong advocate of the value of education, and stimulate interest in the classical literature referenced in L'Amour's works. (SRT)

Reports on an interdisciplinary unit of study for British second-year junior students dealing with trees. Claims the unit developed the appreciation and fascination that reading materials can offer and demonstrated the multifarious uses for which reading can be employed. (SKC)

Explains that if the ability to read in the fullest sense can be fostered from infancy in and out of school, children will grow to be the highly literate society of tomorrow. (DF)

In this study it was hypothesized that if a young reader repeatedly chooses a serial book for pleasure reading, then appreciation and ability to choose and recognize quality works will diminish. Four sixth-grade English classes recorded their independent reading choices for five months. Those who habitually read series books were chosen for the…

A children's book editor explains how manuscripts are evaluated. The "best" fiction must be a product of an author's deep insight and exhibit fine writing style, creative and far-reaching vision, and story-telling ability, while blending the reality of today with a bit of the possible tomorrow. (PP)

Offers reasons why popular literature, such as the work of Judy Blume, and the literary "classics" do not keep adolescents interested in literature and reading. Suggests several authors and books that are especially suited to the reading needs of young adults. (RL)

Highlights the major findings from a study of reading, particularly book reading, among adults. Discusses reading habits, sources of reading material, and attitudes toward reading, as well as demographic information. Concludes that reading does not substitute for, but rather goes along with, involvement in other leisure activities. (JMF)

Tells how one teacher planned and organized a book fair for seventh-grade students, using visiting authors as an added attraction. Provides a suggested time line for planning and producing a book fair/author day. (JT)

Investigates the reading genre preferences of 254 male and female high school students in Pennsylvania. Draws comparisons with similar research done 10 years earlier. Finds a substantial change in reading interests. Notes the top 10 areas of interest are adventure, horror, mysteries, humor, murder, love, fantasy, crime, sports, and movies. (RS)

Describes the weekly book talks scheduled in ninth-grade English classes, in which invited faculty and administrators share a favorite book, thus exposing students to enthusiasm for reading, shared interests and reading habits, and a wide array of reasons for reading. (SR)

Uses four case analyses to develop a historical, composite portrait of highly proficient college freshman readers, providing a data base from which reading behavior, attitudes, interest, and experiences can be described, discussed, and analyzed. Confirms all that has been learned, through current research, regarding language and the reading…

Analyzes over 2200 written responses from ballots for the "Young Adults' Choices List" which indicated that the students "really liked the book." Finds that most students were able to articulate their preferences, that they liked "problem novels" and books with teen protagonists, and that subjects of interest were…

Investigates how discussion influences young children's preferences for science texts. Finds that discussion can result in the preference for a science text that students may initially find of limited interest or even unappealing. (SR)

Reviews 7 picture books and 15 chapter books that should appeal to readers in the intermediate grades. Discusses how the skills and interests of readers of this age are changing. (MG)

Reviews the research on personal and professional reading habits of teachers and education students. Examines the reading goals of 62 undergraduate and 62 graduate students in reading-related classes. Finds a need for change in developing the reading habits of education students for them to instill positive reading attitudes in children. (MG)