The problem of this study was to determine types of books selected for recreational reading by children in grades four, five, and six in fifteen schools, how the children ranked the books according to preference after reading them, their stated reasons for selections, and their reasons for indicated strong preferences. A total of 2,765 children…

Lists the data and responses to the 12 questions in the study. Provides some general observations about the results. (RL)

Describes aspects of several libraries in Rio de Janeiro. Topics covered include library policies, budgets, periodicals and books in the collections, classification schemes used, and literary areas of interest to patrons. (6 references) (CLB)

Suggests that L.T. Meade, a writer of books for adolescent girls in the late nineteenth and early twentieth century, shifted from writing pious and didactic novels to novels that challenged the traditional role of women, in order to meet the continually changing interests and needs of her readers. (JC)

Concludes that in-home subscriptions to magazines that appeal to students' interests can improve their reading skills. (FL)

In this informal survey, questionnaires about reading and television were distributed to 212 fifth and sixth graders in eight states. This article summarizes responses on favorite authors, favorite titles read in the last year, favorite kinds of books, and preferences for reading or television. (SJL)

Aspects of reading motivation and the amount and breadth of reading done were studied with 105 fourth and fifth graders. Children's reading was found to be multidimensional, and their motivation predicted reading amount and breadth even when previous amount and breadth were controlled. Intrinsic motivation was a better predictor than extrinsic…

Challenging the common image of reading as a solitary activity, this article describes the social settings in which young people participated in the print culture of a late 19th-century small midwestern town. Analysis of library borrowing records shows that both adults and youth read "low" fiction, shared titles, and engaged in a common culture,…

Presents a study that looks at what students are reading, what they are required to read, what they read for pleasure, and what general categories of books students claim to like. Presents 11 tables of students' favorite reading. Notes that Young Adult books remain on the margin in both required and pleasure reading. (SG)

Reviews research on the development of attitudes toward reading to investigate the idea that as children get older, their interest in reading declines. Highlights include research methodology; attitudes toward recreational reading; reading at home; reading autobiographies; and the need to provide interesting books to children. (LRW)

This column focuses on reading engagement by first discussing the concept then suggesting ways that teacher-librarians can lead initiatives in their schools towards this goal. While the concepts: (1) reading engagement; (2) motivation to read; and (3) interest and voluntary reading are interconnected, it is important to understand their…

Visual and ICT media are often perceived as a threat to book reading in leisure time. They are accused of taking time and interest away from children and adolescents' book reading by offering them more approachable alternatives. Children and adolescents' book reading habits and the way these habits have changed over time are in focus. Is there any…

Designed to help teachers, students, and parents identify engaging and insightful books for young adults, this book presents annotations of over 1,000 books published between 1990 and 1994. The book begins with a foreword by award-winning author Jerry Spinelli that tells students why they should read. Annotations in the book are grouped by subject…