The Power of Reading: Insights from the Research [Paperback]

Stephen D. Krashen (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 1563080060 | ISBN-13: 978-1563080067 | Publication Date: January 1993

This text argues that as the educational achievement of our nation's youth plummets and reports of "functional illiteracy" and alliteracy fill the media, the demand for literacy, even in mundane jobs, has soared. In response to this dilemma, author Stephen Drashen proposes an obvious, but often overlooked, solution: reading. According to Krashen, reading is the most powerful tool available for building a child's vocabulary and for increasing the ability to read, write, spell and comprehend. After a summary and probing examination of the research on reading and a critique of traditional approaches to the teaching of reading, Krashen advocates a programme of free voluntary reading (FVR) in the schools. FVR means time is set aside to allow young people to read what they want to read, even if it's comic books or romances. In support of his argument, Krashen presents the cumulation of a century of research from different countries. He discusses the positive effects of reading aloud, light reading and reading nontraditional forms of literature, and the importance of the library and a print-rich environment. And he offers guidelines for the implementation of an FVR programme. He also addresses issues such as the limits of reading and writing and the effects of television.

Editorial Reviews

Review

?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/Professional Reading --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

Product Details

• Paperback: 119 pages
• Publisher: Libraries Unlimited Inc (January 1993)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1563080060
• ISBN-13: 978-1563080067
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,981,753 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

27 of 28 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Best Book on Reading I've ever Read!, February 2, 2000

By 

JoAnn Engles, Reading Specialist, Riley High ... (South Bend, Indiana) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Power of Reading: Insights from the Research (Paperback)

This little book is a "must-read" for teachers and parents. Krashen reports on significant reasearch in reading and presents it in a very readable format. His conclusion is that if teachers or parents want to help their children's reading improve, we need to give them plenty of time to READ - not more workbook pages or exercises.

20 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars In order to learn how to read: READ!, May 2, 2007

By 

C. Scanlon "least helpful reviewer" (among us humans) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Power of Reading: Insights from the Research (Paperback)

throw away all your phonics rules and worksheets and Hooked on's.

If you wish to read, then read.

If you want to teach others to read, give them something they will read.

Lower your standards. Read the cereal box, the soup can, Calvin and Hobbes, Incredible Hulk, Barefoot Gen, Maus, whatever absolutely they want to read. Just read. Just do it.

The great Dr. Krashen here shows you how.

Here in this second edition, updated to the latest research of 2004 which serves to confirm his earlier conclusions, Dr. Krashen gives us and our students permission to read whatever interests us, so long as we will read.

By reading we learn to read.

No brainer.

Few people know that the great American comedian of film and stage WC Fields began his vaudeville career as a fantastic juggler, manipulating cigar boxes and pool cues and balls, etc. with great skill and alacrity. After years of this someone gave him a manual of How to Juggle, which had so many rules and advice, including regarding breathing and concentration, that in his next performance he failed while he tried to remember and observe the rules of good juggling. He could no longer concentrate as he focused on concentrating. He later recovered his incredible skills when he could finally again forget the rules and just juggle.

Same with reading. Throw away those high priced "how to read" and phonics books. Just read. The industry gives you nothing to really read, just exercises with no benefit and little interest. Just read what you want and you will read.

Only the great publication houses with phonics programs and worksheets to sell at a high price tell us (and the big government that now runs our schools) otherwise. There is too much profit to be lost, and too much lobbying going on in the halls of our state houses and Congress, and the w White house.

By the way, why does the current Secretary of Education have absolutely no experience in any kind of education? Kind of like that FEMA guy, or Gonzo, etc., etc. Still she forces us to buy worksheets instead of letting us READ freely in order to learn how to read. Library funds are decimated while the industry reaps great profit and the government its lobbying bribes.

It is in reading that we read. It is in reading that our reading skills grow, no matter what you read. As you read lower level materials, your mind will automatically seek more challenging materials and reach for more. After Marvel you will want Tolkein. After Harry Potter you will hunger for James Joyce, forever. And then Dante and the Bible remain.

I have been a bilingual teacher and practitioner for many decades, as my grandmother before me. I recall from my first hearing of words and of speech my bilingual Church (Latin with occassional English, briefly), etc. Dr. Krashen's method here serves all students, especially our bilingual students developing reading skills in their most comfortable language which are applicable later to the target language (here ENglish) without even their being aware of it. They will wonder when you taught them to read in English.

This book is based on solid research and bursts most of the popular and powerful misconceptions and myths regarding teaching methods and politicians with profitable interests who would stop those strategies which are most effective.

Please study this book carefully for the scientifically proven truth, based on reliable research methodology.

In order to learn how to read, read. Whatever you choose, whatever interests you, but easy reading, within your frustration level, within your enjoyment level.

There's plenty of good stuff to read right here on the amazon. Check out my reviews for a few!

And then read to your family, too, in joy and in peace, and relearn the love of reading together. Turn off that television and just read already!

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Power of Silent Sustained Reading, November 9, 2006

By 

Sharron A. Bortz "Literacy through literature" (McGrath, AK) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Power of Reading: Insights from the Research (Paperback)

I am the Library/Media Specialist for a school district in Alaska on a grant to increase literacy through literature. I heard Stephen D. Krashen speak at a school librarian convention and was so impressed that I read this book. The district has Silent Sustained Reading as its number one directive to all the teachers, but the idea is difficult for some teacher's to accept. I am hoping that by lending this book to teachers we can get fuller compliance. Having taught children's literature class at the college level for six years, I have read a lot and firmly believe in the work done by Krashen as presented in this book.