Marcelino Olivarez

Mentor: Dr. Carlin Borsheim-Black 
Research: Exploring the Reading Attitudes, Motivation, and Habits of Adolescent Boys Who Identify as Avid Reader

Research shows that adolescent boys underachieve compared to girls in just about every measure--time spent reading, number of reading sessions, and their engagement with reading (e.g., CITE). This study explored factors contributing to the reading attitudes, motivation, and habits of adolescent boys (ages 12-18) who identify as avid readers to identify potential factors that contribute to building and maintaining a personal connection to reading. The study found that reading role models, book access, and a sense of self-expression are foundational to these adolescent boys' reading identities.