Studies have shown that voracious reading improves students' academic performance in a variety of realms. In this article, 6th grade teacher Donalyn Miller explains how she has helped her students become committed readers. Her students are required to read at least 40 books each year in a variety of genres and styles. She gives them time to read…

The Chinese people have great regard for those who read widely, yet little is known of the extracurricular reading behaviors of Chinese students. This study drew on data from two national surveys to investigate the amount of time Taiwanese college students spend on extracurricular reading. Findings are interpreted in relation to prior research on…

Reviews K.M. Peyton's novel as worthwhile reading despite some dated plot contrivances. (CRH)

Reflects on childhood memories of reading a number of books by Leo Edwards and Margaret Pedler. (EL)

Highlights current adult books of interest to young adult readers. (CRH)

This paper focuses on the "transforming spirit of adolescence." The six novels (all have young female protagonists) explored in the paper show the natural bewilderment (and delight) that accompanies new powers and abilities. The paper focuses on radical young adult transformations in Annette Curtis Klause's "Blood and…

Explores the enormous attraction for young readers of series books (such as Nancy Drew, Hardy Boys, and currently "The Baby-Sitters Club"). Discusses what children might learn from such reading, often thought of as pap literature by adults. (SR)

Describes new editions of classic stories by Kipling and other major authors, as well as works of nonfiction and folklore. (CRH)

Describes and reviews four Canadian publications that mix regional history, culture, and authors' memoirs in fiction for young readers. (CRH)

This advisory resource provides a method of understanding the criteria that a reader uses to judge a novel, and recommends titles that fit those criteria. Each book was assigned a primary appeal characteristic of Setting, Story, Characters, and Language. Some were also assigned a secondary appeal characteristic. The book is divided into four…

Presents an interview with Greg Bear and David Brin, two science fiction writers who started Reading for the Future, an international project geared toward secondary school students that shows teachers and librarians how science fiction inspires young readers. Discusses programs that have come out of this group; standards for books geared toward…

Lists student oriented adolescent novels that fall under the categories Misfits, Conformity, Families in Conflict, Mystery, and Addictions. (CRH)

The six articles in this journal deal with reading children's literature. The topics discussed are: the necessary immorality of reading teachers, leisure reading at a junior high school, classroom use of "The Pigman," adolescent reading, teaching the novel, and the role of parents in preschool education. The issue also contains a list of…

Investigates the effects of reading mystery novels on Hong Kong adult learners studying English for the purposes of pleasure or career development. Results show that novel readers made substantial proficiency gains, and that there were important motivational benefits as well. (Author/VWL)

Superior high school students (975 finalists in the NCTE Achievement Awards Program) were surveyed to find what one book was most significant to each of them in their high school experiences, and the reason for the significance. In response to questionnaires, the students cited 416 different titles, 72% of which were novels. The top 10 books were…