The readability level of 52 picture books was analyzed, and it was learned that the levels ranged from grade one to grade seven. (MKM)

Discusses the U.S. Department of Education's publication "What Works: Research About Teaching and Learning," focusing on those sections that are most pertinent to the goals and methods of social studies teachers. Reviews and draws implications from its suggestions for improving education at the levels of home, classroom, and school. (AEM)

Discusses several incidents of censorship involving adolescent literature at the publisher level, school level, and teacher level. Suggests ways for educators to combat censorship in these areas. (MM)

Two "sacred cows" inherent in reading instruction for disabled readers are rejected: Disabled readers must be taught with simple reading materials, and most teaching time must be spent on reading skills. Two case studies illustrate the teaching of decoding skills and "dyad reading" of books selected by the disabled reader.…

Study investigates the nature of verbal interactions which occur between parents and kindergarten children as they read favorite (familiar) and unfamiliar books. States that favorite stories allow children to become more involved in the story and attend to print, while unfamiliar stories provide for expanded schemata which may enhance meaning…

Discusses informational books for children, how they have improved, and how to teach children to select the book best suited to their purpose and gather pertinent information from it. Notes that well-designed books have an attractive format, adequate white space and margins, and thoughtful placement of illustrations and text. (SRT)

Discusses an approach to early reading instruction that emphasizes "real" books and parental involvement. Contains a list of "dos" and "don'ts" for use by parents in helping their children read. (DF)

Describes observations of recreational reading material selection by kindergarten and first-grade boys and girls. Discussion covers gender-related preferences in choices of recreational library materials, fiction and non-fiction choices, flexibility in reading choices, and gender roles. Observations made in 1983 and 1984 are appended. Five sources…

Advocates the use of classical mythology in contemporary classrooms because mythology features heroes or heroines that may serve as role models. (DF)

Whitehead disputes the interpretation given his work in an article written by Roger Knight. (DF)

Relationship between reader preference and protagonist characteristics, specifically sex and age of main characters, was examined. The study asked 2,487 male and 2,366 female students in grades 4 through 10 to rate the degree of importance of protagonist characteristics. (Author/JMK)

Offers examples of lessons in conflict in reading material that can lead students to read critically, to seek further reading, and to enhance their comprehension.(HOD)

Discusses the role of the elementary teacher in instilling a love of reading in children. Stresses need to provide material of interest to children, the pitfalls of oral reading, and the need to help parents plan book purchases. (CJM)

Recommends that English classes require more reading, especially more reading of works in modern English reflecting cultural diversity, to promote high school students' cultural literacy. (MM)

This collection of essays grew out of the "Reading Stephen King Conference" held at the University of Maine in 1996. Stephen King's books have become a lightning rod for the tensions around issues of including "mass market" popular literature in middle and high school English classes and of who chooses what students read.…