In the past few years, there has been increasing demand from school librarians for books for "reluctant readers"--despite the impressive offering of children's literature published each year and the success of blockbuster series like "Harry Potter, Diary of a Wimpy Kid, Twilight," and "Hunger Games," among others. This is also in addition to all…

Encourages enterprising people to peddle books to those waiting in gas lines. (DD)

Similar trends are occurring in schools. Lenhart, Simoin, and Graziano (2001) found that 94% of teens online use the Internet for school research projects, and according to the U.S. Department of Education (2004), "even students from low-income groups without access to technology at home seek and find it-using computers at schools, libraries, or…

Contrary to the claims of members of the National Reading Panel, there is strong evidence supporting the practice of in-school free reading. Many studies show "no difference" between in-school free reading and traditional instruction, but there are very few negative studies, and many positive studies. (The author's scorecard has 24 positive and…

Describes how a love of reading paperbacks led to a love of literature and makes a plea for quality children's paperback books. (MKM)

Notes that just a few years ago, the death knell of young adult fiction was ringing steadily. Suggests that the emerging trend may be a redefinition of the genre that divides books into those aimed at 10- to 14-year-olds and those aimed at teens 15 and up. (RS)

Discusses selected books that had an influence on the author's childhood and career. (JT)

Recounts the experiences of a bookseller in dealing with children's books, including what strategies increase sales, how mothers and fathers choose children's books differently, and giving book talks at parents' nights at preschool schools. (NKA)

Discusses the trend toward the electronic media among college students resulting in less reliance upon newspapers. Asks what social locator and technology use variables can best explain newspaper readership trends. Provides data from a study of college students in 1992 regarding newspaper readership and other media. (HB)

Examines the role of literature in the middle school curriculum and how this role affects young adolescents' reading habits. Argues that literature's role lies in the aesthetic experience of literature as an end in itself. Considers the necessity of ensuring that students understand this personal payoff of reading. (JPB)

Discusses the issues surrounding children's series books and argues the need for children to read more quality literature. Highlights include commercial successes; reasons for their popularity, including the comfort of easy reading and stereotypical characters, social appeal, and fulfillment of childhood needs; marketing; and the difficult…

Elementary school students learn in school to stay within the boundaries of a single text, but students should be encouraged to read beyond a single text. A "single-passage paradigm" pervades school-based reading instruction, research, and assessment. Four scaffolding issues can promote a variety of stimulating approaches for reading…

Argues that reading of just any kind is not enough to stave off the effects of television. Contends that the reading must involve quality books, rather than mass-marketed, instantly gratifying books geared to the lowest common denominator. (JK)

Discusses ways in which various aspects of language or words may be addressed by using children's literature. Such use generates an interest in language and words that carries over into children's reading, writing, listening, and speaking. (BB)

Educators must accept the challenge of encouraging the lifetime reading habit in school. Students who are surrounded with books, newspapers, magazines, and other materials will be tempted to browse and to read from these sources. When selecting materials for the classroom, educators should work closely with the library media specialist who is…