Listed are the 12 criteria for a good high interest, low vocabulary book, which is a stepping stone between the picture book and the juvenile novel. The author believes there will continue to be dramatic improvements in good literature for problem readers. (KC)

Reviews seven entertaining story collections which aim to keep readers reading rather than doing exercises. With reading levels well below interest levels, these stories lure reluctant readers with such topics as the outdoors, mystery, and science fiction. Two series, one with accompanying filmstrips, retell literary classics for below-grade…

Eight kits or series are reviewed: Headliners I (EMC Corporation); Pacemaker Bestsellers I and II (Fearon-Pitman); Rocket Reading (AIDS); Vistas (Houghton Mifflin); The New Action Unit (Scholastic); Superstars of Soil and Rock (Steck-Vaughn); Super A and Super B (SRA); and Shoptalk: Vocational Reading Skills (Allyn and Bacon). (SJL)

Discusses the results of an analysis of the appropriateness of eighth-grade basal reading materials for remedial instruction of ninth- and tenth-grade students who read two to three years below grade level. Readability, interest appeal, and representation of content areas are considered. Three data tables and a 14-item reference list are included.…