The Leisure Reading Habits of Urban Adolescents

Abstract

Research indicates that there is a strong relationship between leisure reading and school achievement, but the leisure reading habits of urban adolescents have rarely been studied. From their investigation of the leisure reading habits of 584 urban minority middle school students, the authors identify these key findings: More than two‐thirds of the students indicated that they read for fun and relaxation, to learn new things, or because they were bored. Magazines were the preferred reading material for both males and females, followed by comics and the Internet. Celebrities, “people or characters like me,” sports figures, and musicians were among the most popular subjects pursued in respondents' leisure reading. Reading during summer vacation was not popular with either sex. Based on these findings, the authors provide eight recommendations for teachers and librarians to keep in mind as they strive to support the literacy development of urban adolescents.