The Power of Reading: Insights from the Research

by Stephen D. Krashen

Overview

Continuing the case for free voluntary reading set out in the book's 1993 first edition, this new, updated, and much-looked-for second edition explores new research done on the topic in the last ten years as well as looking anew at some of the original research reviewed. Krashen also explores research surrounding the role of school and public libraries and the research indicating the necessity of a print-rich environment that provides light reading (comics, teen romances, magazines) as well as the best in literature to assist in educating children to read with understanding and in second language acquisition. He looks at the research surrounding reading incentive/rewards programs and specifically at the research on AR (Accelerated Reader) and other electronic reading products.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781591581697
Publisher:	Bloomsbury Academic
Publication date:	08/19/2004
Edition description:	REV
Pages:	216
Product dimensions:	6.14(w) x 9.21(h) x 0.46(d)
Age Range:	18 Years

About the Author

Stephen D. Krashen is emeritus professor of education at the University of Southern California, Los Angeles. He is best known for his work in establishing a general theory of second language acquisition, as the cofounder of the Natural Approach, and as the inventor of sheltered subject matter teaching. He is the author of numerous books, including Three Arguments Against Whole Language and Why They Are Wrong (1999), Every Person a Reader: An Alternative to the California Task Force Report on Reading (1997), and Under Attack: The Case Against Bilingual Education (1997), all available from Heinemann.

Table of Contents

Contents
Introduction ix 1
.The Research 1
The Evidence for FVR1In-School Free Reading Programs 1
Reported Free Voluntary Reading 8
Reported Free Reading in a Second Language 9
The Author Recognition Test 11
Read and Test Studies 13
Summary 17
The Alternative to Free Reading: Direct Instruction 18
The Complexity Argument 18
Competence without Instruction 20
The Effect of Instruction 25
Other Benefits of Reading 28
The Pleasure of Reading 28
Reading and Cognitive Development 35
Good Thinkers Read More 36
Reading and Writing Apprehension 36
Conclusion 37
An Interpretation 37
Notes 40
v
Contents 2
.The Cure 57
Access 57
More Access at Home Results in More Reading 57
Better Classroom Libraries Result in More Reading 58
Better School Libraries Result in More Reading 58
Access to Public Libraries Results in More Reading 60
Comfort and Quiet 63
Libraries 63
Children Get Their Books from Libraries 64
Better Libraries Result in Better Reading 65
Poverty and Access to Books 68
What About School? 70Libraries and Second Language Acquirers 74
Money for Libraries: Who Is Paying Now? 75Reading Aloud 77
Reading Experience 81
Home Run Books 82
Models 84
Providing Time to Read 85
Direct Encouragement 86
Other Factors 89
Light Reading: Comic Books 91
A Brief History 93
Comic Books and Language Development 97
Comic Texts 97
Experiments with Comic Book Reading 101
Comics as a Conduit 103
The Case for Comics 109
Light Reading: The Teen Romance 110
Light Reading: The Power of Magazines 113
Is Light Reading: Enough? 114vi
Contents
Do Rewards Work? 116What Does the Research Say? 117Reading Management Programs 119
Notes 1223
.Other Issues and Conclusions 129
The Limits of Reading 129
Writing 132
Writing Style Comes from Reading 132
More Writing Does Not Mean Better Writing 134
What Writing Does 137
The Effect of Television 139
Does More Television Mean Less Reading? 140The Language of Television 142
Television and Language Development 144
Television: A Summary 145
Second Language Acquirers 146
Conclusions 149
Notes 152
References 157
Researcher Index 189
Subject Index 197
vii

Editorial Reviews

One could term this book as a major cannon in the reading research wars. Krashen builds his case for wide reading by analyzing and presenting in a very readable text hundreds of research studies spanning a century. . . . Whether you read the first edition or missed it, this book is an essential read. And it can be read in one sitting if you just read the marginal notes that guide you through the principle ideas. It is a book to share, discuss, argue about, and use as evidence for strong library book programs and large budgets to purchase books that kids are interested in reading.” —Teacher Librarian

“All teachers, librarians, and anyone interested in the reading development of children, young adults, and ESL students will benefit from reading this book.” —VOYA

“Krashen argues that FVR (free voluntary reading) has a dramatic effect on second-language learners, vocabulary acquisition, cognitive development, and writing style, and is the key to linguistic improvement.” —Curriculum Connections/School Library Journal

“This title will be of particular interest to language and linguistics professionals and educators concerned with equipping children to navigate their worlds. Highly Recommended.” —Library Media Connection

“Dr. Krashen continues to make the case for FVR. He explores new research since the book's original edition in 1993, discusses the role of libraries and the importance of reading, and considers the effects of television on reading.” —American Libraries

From the Publisher