Unit 2 U.S Teens: Reading is Interesting! Please refer to page 12

Teens Enjoy Reading According to a survey on reading in 2001 by the U.S. National Education Association (NEA), young Americans say reading is important- more important than computers and science. Over 50% of the twelve-to eight- year-olds interviewed said they enjoy reading a lot. Seventy-nine percent find it stimulating and interesting, and 87% think it is relaxing. Most of those surveyed (68%) disagree with the opinion that reading is boring, or old- fashioned.

Teens Read Variety of Material Over half the teenagers interviewed said they read more than ten books a year. The results also showed that middle-school students read more books than high schoolers. The majority of teens (66%) like to read fiction, such as novels and stories. Only 26% were interested in non-fiction, such as biographies and history books.

Sixty-four percent of students listed reading “stories about people my own age” as their favorite topic. Mysteries and detective stories came second on the list at 53%. Just under 50% said they were interested in reading about their own culture and heritage.