Examines how vampires appeal to the adolescent's need for identity, power and sexual information, and provides examples from young adult literature. (AEF)

Uses a "fictitious-annotated-titles" survey to determine reading preferences of fourth-grade girls and boys. Finds that both boys and girls prefer fiction over non-fiction; girls preferred fiction more strongly than boys; and boys preferred male main characters more strongly than the girls, and girls preferred female main characters more…

Discusses aspects of two qualitative studies that focused on: (1) children's interests in comics; and (2) reactions to a home-school comic lending library based in three classrooms over a period of seven weeks. Discusses results from both studies and implications for development of the primary school literacy curriculum. (BT)

Twenty teachers of the hearing impaired, who judged primary reading interest areas for 82 students (ages 9-12), were only moderately accurate in judging their students' reading interests. Teachers based their judgments on such factors as children's book choices at the library, interests expressed during classroom discussions, television interests,…

Reviews 33 children's books which stimulate beginning readers. Divides the books into four categories: books that bridge between oral and written language, predictable books, easy-to-read books, and books of special interest to young children. (MG)

Argues that guided reading and discussion of good young-adult literature should be part of English/Language Arts, guidance, and interdisciplinary programs for gifted as well as typical teens. Recommends and describes a list of applicable books. (KEH)

Presents an annotated bibliography of 12 interesting and exciting science fiction and fantasy books for adolescent readers. (KEH)

Discusses literature for transitional readers (8 to 11 year olds who can read fairly lengthy stories independently, but need to sharpen and extend reading comprehension and critical thinking skills). Outlines developmental characteristics of these readers, and characteristics of the literature they tend to favor. Includes references to 73…

Presents the 1992 "Young Adults' Choices," an annual list of favorite books chosen in voting by students in middle schools and junior and senior high schools in the United States. Offers brief descriptions of the 30 books on the list (published since 1990), and supplies bibliographic data for each title. (SR)

Describes a program in which groups of middle school and junior high teachers read and discuss popular, best-selling literature, for the purposes of promoting their personal reading and enhancing school faculty camaraderie. (PRA)

Discusses the interests and tastes secondary students have for nonfiction. Presents ways to incorporate nonfiction into read-aloud activities. Discusses 18 nonfiction books suitable for use in secondary read-aloud programs. (RS)

Explores teachers' enthusiasm for books to determine whether they have the kind of enthusiasm which would be a positive force in developing positive attitudes to reading. Stimulates teachers to consider their own reading and how it is reflected in the classroom. (MG)

Examines the reading habits of students in Adult Basic Education and High School Equivalency programs as a whole and by variables of race, gender, age, and reading level. Finds that, as a group, they were by no means nonreaders, though their time spent reading is less than the general population. (RS)

Explores the enormous attraction for young readers of series books (such as Nancy Drew, Hardy Boys, and currently "The Baby-Sitters Club"). Discusses what children might learn from such reading, often thought of as pap literature by adults. (SR)

Explores the mystery of why readers choose to read texts. Considers the psychology of reading for pleasure and the figures of speech linking reading with love. Discusses a wide array of books and the reasons that readers have felt such a strong attachment to them. (HB)