CHILDREN'S CLASSICS: A READING PREFERENCE STUDY OF FIFTH AND SIXTH GRADERS

摘要

This study investigated the preferences of fifth and sixth graders for those books generally recognized as classics in children's literature. The purposes were: (1) to identify the children's classics that were the most and least preferred by fifth and sixth graders; (2) to compare relationships between the children's classics and grade level and sex; (3) to determine if any relationship existed between children's preferences for specific classics and the age of the classics; (4) to analyze the most popular children's classics in regard to characteristics such as (a) content, (b) tone, and (c) literary elements.;Procedures. Four sets of 27 selected classics in paperback were sent to nine elementary schools. A total of 773 students took part in the survey over a four-month period. Upon completion of each classic, the students indicated their level of enjoyment on a 5-point scale and provided written comments concerning their reasons for liking and disliking particular classics. A total of 374 students read three or more classics. The students reading three or more classics were given a ballot to vote on their favorite classic.;Conclusions. The ranking of classics according to mean scores indicated that Charlotte's Web was the overwhelming favorite. Other favorites included Little House in the Big Woods, The Hobbit, Secret Garden, The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, and Heidi. The older classics such as Otto of the Silver Hand, Robinson Crusoe, and The Story of King Arthur and His Knights were in the bottom rankings.;The voting results at the end of the study were similar to the rankings based upon mean scores. Again, Charlotte's Web was the favorite. Other favorites included The Borrowers, The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, Little House in the Big Woods, --all books published after 1920.;T-tests revealed no major differences between the preferences based upon sex or grade level.;A major recommendation was to allow youngsters to freely choose classics which interest them. Active promotion of these books through read-aloud sessions, TV/movie tie-ins, and contests was also recommended.