The authors share findings from a recent study of teens who freely select to read texts typically marginalized by schools (dystopia, vampire, romance, horror, fantasy), revealing the distinct functional and psychological benefits of pleasure reading. The students who participated in the study that the authors report on were eighth graders who…

Describes schema theory and Louise Rosenblatt's transactional theory. Notes the similarities between these two theories of the reading process and suggests directions for research based on their combined use. (RL)

Describes a study in which students taught by a creative method liked poetry more and understood it better than those taught by a directed method. (DD)

Explores how asking students to abstract a theme statement from a literary text as a main reading objective can actually disempower students' reading experience. Bases the claims on original research on how 288 readers read a short story. Considers how teachers might more profitably talk about theme. (HB)

Presents the first part of a six-part series reporting on a research project to investigate how students make sense of a text, what disempowers meaning making, what empowers meaning making, how readings might be meaningfully assessed, and how readers might be empowered in classrooms. Invites readers to join in the investigation. (SR)

Presents the third part of a six-part series in which the authors respond to a ninth grader's first impressions of "Reel One," a poem by Adrien Stoutenburg. Urges readers to participate by reading the student's impressions and reflecting on the student's interpretations. (MM)

Lists 1975-1976 books which are of interest to the older adolescent and reflect several noticeable reading trends. (DD)

Reports the results of research into reading interests of 16- to 19-year-old students. Reveals that adventure books rank highest with this group. (JL)

Suggests that if educators had a framework for understanding discussion, they might shape discussion in ways that engage students. Describes a study that provides a framework for examining class discussion so they can understand better how discussions shift from teacher-centered (monologic) to teacher/student-centered (dialogic). (SG)

Studies eight students (grades five-nine) to discover whether students with less than average interest in reading would spend a greater amount of time engaged in interactive fiction. Finds that students spend more time with interactive fiction, if they are successful at the quest. Discusses implications for English and reading instruction. (MM)

An annotated list of 33 books chosen by sixteen- to nineteen-year-olds from a list of 300 newly published books. (DD)

Describes a survey of 340 high school students to determine their interest and involvement in books and other media. (DD)

Examines the reading habits of middle school and high school students, presenting two case studies conducted by two new teachers. Shows that students read more than they are generally believed to read but their reading interests are not often tapped in school. (TB)

Considers what factors and circumstances empower readers to give a text life, value, and validity. Argues that empowered readers are situated readers, are focused on their concerns, and strive to be self-aware and other-aware. (HB)

Considers reasons that teachers and students alike do not read for pleasure. Lists three steps to address this: defining the teacher's reading philosophy; defining students' reading philosophies; and fusing reading research and curricular expectations. Describes how the author focuses her curriculum to accommodate more reading. (SG)