Research shows that middle school students overwhelmingly cite three characteristics that they like in books they read: (1) humor; (2) mystery and suspense; and (3) reality (true stories about real people). Matching students with appropriate books helps turn students "on" to reading, and it is this "electric" reading that…

This book draws on extensive demographic information to present a portrait of the nation's reading habits. Research offers the following observations and facts: reading of serious contemporary literature is the pastime of a distinct minority; the proportion of Americans who read serious literature is between 7 and 12% and contemporary fiction,…

Advocates the use of classical mythology in contemporary classrooms because mythology features heroes or heroines that may serve as role models. (DF)

Whitehead disputes the interpretation given his work in an article written by Roger Knight. (DF)

Highlights research important to understanding struggling middle school readers, and based on that research, suggests principles for instruction. Argues that knowing students as readers, maintaining a wide range of reading material, and allotting time for reading in class can support readers regardless of motivation, interest, or ability. (SD)

Evaluated in two studies the role of book rotation and number of books available in promoting book use among preschool children in day care classrooms. Found some support for book rotation in promoting voluntary book use, but teacher presence in the reading area was most strongly correlated with children's book use. (JPB)

Offers brief descriptions of 25 books, both fiction and nonfiction, that are accessible to struggling readers, provide a high-quality reading experience, and may allow them to break through their difficulties to see reading as something of value to their lives. (SR)

Intended for students who are able to read but lack the motivation to do so because they have not encountered books that speak to their interests and concerns, this revised booklist contains more than 400 titles. The titles represent books of high quality that deal with topics of interest to the average adolescent. Titles and annotations are…

Designed to encourage students in grades 7-12 to make reading a habit, this annotated booklist contains over 400 titles of fiction and nonfiction books published between 1987 and 1989. It is intended for students who are able to read but lack the motivation to do so because they have not encountered books that speak to their interests and…

A study examined three different basal reading series (MacMillan, Harcourt-Brace, and Scott Foresman) at four different levels for the types of stories found in the readers, as well as for acts of reading portrayed in the stories. Subjects, 12 second grade students at a New Jersey elementary school, completed a teacher-constructed inventory on the…

Compiled by teachers, administrators, curriculum planners, and librarians, this list is intended to help local level curriculum planners and teachers select books for their reading programs and evaluate their literature programs, and to encourage students to read by improving their reading attitudes. To accommodate a variety of tastes, abilities,…

Current theories of reading are concerned with the nature of the "means" for achieving goals--processing components, paths, practices, and strategies. If reading is understood as text-oriented cultural activities, a continuum of text use can be formulated with enabling texts (those that enable the reader to do something) at one end and…

Race and socioeconomic class differences in children's reading performance are influenced by social and motivational factors. For example, children from poverty backgrounds are more likely to attribute success to conditions outside personal control, and thus do not experience as much pride in achievement as middle class students who have learned…

Reports on several studies that examined the use of newspapers in classrooms. Cites research supporting the conclusions that newspaper training programs improved teacher attitudes toward using newspapers in the classroom and newspaper use influenced students' reading attitudes, reading interests, reading achievement, and classroom verbal…

Argues that "love of reading" should be listed as the top goal of the English curriculum, but that teaching the classics has the opposite effect. Argues that reading and analytical skills can be taught using contemporary teenage fiction that holds students' interest, helps them feel understood, and teaches them about life. Lists numerous books…