The first edition of this book laid out the case for FVR (free voluntary reading) as the most powerul tool available for building a child's vocabulary and increasing the ability to read, write, spell and comprehend. This new updated edition comes to the same conclusion by exploring new research done on the topic in the last 10 years.

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/Professional Reading

From The Publisher:

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 10 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