Examines how the accounts of the lives of intrepid missionaries were offered as inspiration to young readers into the early twentieth century. (HOD)

Reviews and identifies several aspects of adult reading habits in the United States. (FL)

Reviews research findings that suggest that literacy is nearly universal and that interest in reading is at an all-time high in the United States. (FL)

Presents statistics on the reading preferences of two distinct junior high school groups using the same librarian and collection of books. The statistics did not confirm the original assumptions and indicated that factors other than curriculum influence student book selection. (RAA)

Contains selected data from a survey of Norwegian citizens' reading habits and interests. (JT)

Notes how some of the author's reading experiences influenced his ideas as an individual and his concerns as a reading professional. (JT)

Contends that unusual and off-beat books can stir student curiosity and put interest back in high school English classes. Discusses 11 such books and explains how they may be used. (FL)

Describes the impact on the author of reading Harvey Cushing's "The Life of Sir William Osler," a biography of the leading American medical educator in the late nineteenth century, which stressed his reading interests. (DD)

Surveys existing measures of affective responses to reading, commenting on the advantages and limitations of both reactive and nonreactive measures. Suggests that more than one measurement should be used to get accurate results. (TJ)

A study in which subjects read different versions of a science article revealed that reader enjoyment increased as the article became more "popularized"; the study indicated, however, that increased reader enjoyment need not result in decreased information gain. (GT)

Secondary analysis of 1971 and 1977 surveys by the Newspaper Advertising Bureau suggests that newspaper editors underestimate public interest in sicence news. (GT)

Annotates 112 children's books selected by children as the best of those published in 1989. (MM)

Discusses the appeal of romance fiction for adolescent girls, particularly the "Sweet Valley High" series, and summarizes some research in the area. Topics addressed include reading preferences of teenage girls, sales and marketing of romances, literary criticisms, what readers gain from the books, and what constitutes good pleasure…

Examines the applicability of a typology of user motivations and its capacity to predict use of various magazine types. Finds that scores on environmental diversion, interaction, and surveillance scales are consistent with the choice of magazine. (RS)

Describes the background to some books written by the author, and discusses her desire to motivate those adolescents who do not usually read to read her books. Expresses a desire to write quality books that will win adolescents over to reading. (MG)