Examines, for junior high school populations, the appropriateness of the 70 Item Attitude Inventory by extending the questions of construct validity raised by the original study (Kennedy and Halinski, 1975) and by determining the reliability of the instrument. (Author/RK)

Teachers must be sensitive to the needs of modern farm children to see themselves and their families reflected favorably and accurately in reading materials. (HOD)

Presents a list of adult mystery titles for young adult readers. Includes first titles in a series (for reading in order); new and lesser-known mystery authors' works are the focus. Annotations include plot summary. The rest of each annotation is for professional use (includes date and name of award bestowed). (AEF)

Audiobooks are a lasting pleasure for children. This article discusses what to consider when choosing audiobooks for gifts: quality of story, quality of narration, and appeal to the child and the rest of the family. Includes an annotated bibliography of realistic fiction, fantasy, short stories, and nonfiction audiobooks for grades 1-12. (PEN)

Contends there is a disparity between the humorous books children choose to read and the humorous books adults choose for children to read. Finds this merits attention because research has consistently indicated that humor is children's strongest preference for reading material. Identifies and examines humorous books; finds different choices…

Advocates play in a child's life. Describes how science fiction seizes the imaginations of young readers with its tales of the future and of outer space. Talks about various nonfiction books about space. Elaborates a workshop on books about space exploration. Gives 10 questions about stimulating student response. (PA)

Presents an annotated list of best articles on young adult literature from 1912 to the present. Divides the articles into sections on the rationale for young adult literature, the dimensions of young adult literature, using young adult literature in the classroom, and censorship and the young adult novel. (TB)

Demonstrates that when children select library books, there is a generalizable routine or pattern learned and followed by most children--refinements or elaborations on that routine, however, are best demonstrated by "outlier" behaviors atypical to the basic routine. Shows that children typically select books based upon the book's…

Discusses the issues surrounding children's series books and argues the need for children to read more quality literature. Highlights include commercial successes; reasons for their popularity, including the comfort of easy reading and stereotypical characters, social appeal, and fulfillment of childhood needs; marketing; and the difficult…

Studies the influence of illustrations on children's book preferences and comprehension. Finds that while third graders scored higher than first graders, both groups showed highest comprehension for the Text-plus-Illustrations book content and the lowest for the Illustration-Only book content. Notes that participants preferred bright illustrations…

Compares second grade and fifth grade students' recreational reading levels (when students self-select library books for recreation reading) in relation to independent, instructional, and frustration levels as determined with an informal reading inventory. Concludes that recreational reading levels should not be viewed as synonymous with…

Discusses a list of books of varying lengths and difficulty that the reading teacher can use to help reluctant readers find that all-important breakthrough book to discover what reading can do for them. (KEH)

Uses elderly adults' median chronological age with marital status to examine how elderly adults view their reading needs as they pertain to reading skills, reading preferences, emotional awareness, and physical capabilities. Finds differences in the reading perceptions of elderly adults. (SR)

Examines the relationship among sources of interest, perceived interest, and text recall. Reveals (through factor analysis) six different sources of interest. Suggests sources of interest affect perceived interest, which in turn affects recall. Suggests that text structure appears to play an important role in perceived situational interest and,…

Discusses poststructuralist theories and describes how they can be useful in explaining the phenomenon of children's gendered literature preferences. Offers insights into the complexities of gender and its connections with reading fiction. Discusses children's reading preferences in school, the publishing industry, the school curriculum, and…