Findings from a number of studies of the reading interests and habits of British secondary school students are reviewed, and the results of a new survey of the opinions of 55 teachers are briefly reported. The studies indicate that a number of "classic" texts are popular but that "subliterature" is also popular and becomes more…

Maintains that cursory reading of original literary texts should have no place in foreign language teaching in the intermediate grades. Discusses "edited" versions of texts, and the weaknesses thereof. Gives a review of reading texts available in series, and discusses methodological problems. (IFS/WGA)

Discusses the use of science fiction as a part of a general astronomy course. The author describes how science fiction is used in conjunction with the study of the solar system. Suggested references and a science fiction reading list are also included. (HM)

A questionnaire given to German university students of English revealed that their recollection of their upper-level high school English reading courses tended to be limited to a few works by a few authors. This is seen as regrettable, considering the wide variety of works available. (IFS/WGA)

A description of units, including materials and techniques, used in secondary school French classes in Norway. The basis for selection of materials was student interest and motivation. The units appealed to the students' intelligence, imagination, sense of play and of group. Several samples are given. (Text is in French.) (AMH)

Identifies five criteria for the selection of picture books, and discusses their potential benefits for children's reading attitudes and skills. The benefits discussed include offering a store of experiences, learning the possibilities of language, gaining an understanding of cultural heritages, developing imagination, and learning about…

Advocates using annual reports to help adult learners bridge the gap between competence with basic reading tasks and competence with more difficult and complex tasks which require inferential thinking and application of information for decision making and problem solving. (RS)

Presents results of a study indicating that what young readers say when they first read is influenced by their previous experiences with books, the structure of the text, and also the accompanying illustrations. Points out implications for reading to young children, and for choosing early texts. (SKC)

Reviews the development of bibliotherapy as a diagnostic and therapeutic tool and discusses specific techniques for the selection of appropriate reading materials for both children and their parents. (16 references) (CLB)

Argues that children's books are agents of socialization and examines childhood as a socially constructed concept throughout history. (SRT)

Shows that a wide variety of textbook characteristics play a role in influencing teachers' selection process, and that some of these interact with teacher characteristics. (FL)

Argues that carefully selected, adolescent novels can foster young people's moral development and describes the four essential characteristics such books should display: a moral dilemma, identified alternatives, moral reasoning, and a moral decision. (HOD)

Reports on a study that surveyed upper primary class children to determine how widely they read, who their favorite authors are, how they choose the books they read, where they obtain them, and who they talk to about them. (HOD)

Presents a selection of books, articles, and other materials dealing with censorship chosen for their quality or provocative nature. (RBW)

Ten reasons that teachers should read aloud to students in the upper elementary grades are given. Suggestions for choosing books that will be suitable for oral reading are included. (PP)