BLAST OFF! STAR WARS® CAN HELP CHILDREN BECOME STAR READERS!
by Linda Gambrell Linda B. Gambrell, Distinguished Professor Education, Clemson University

The DK Star Wars Reader series provides a wonderful opportunity for parents and teachers to promote the development of young children’s reading skills and motivation to read. We want all of our children to want to read.

For decades the Star Wars™ saga has captivated young and old – in fact, today many people consider Star Wars to be the defining modern-day folktale. Star Wars has become a familiar part of our culture – children instantly recognize the characters on book covers, on television, and in the movies.

The Star Wars stories take the reader to another world – another galaxy! We know that these stories have high appeal for children and adults, and provide a way for teacher and parents to share a common bond with young readers. There are a number of reasons why the Star Wars DK Readers promote reading motivation and engagement.

1. The high appeal of Star Wars is particularly important for helping children, and especially boys, develop a love of reading. Research has consistently revealed that girls, in general, are more highly motivated to read that boys. One speculation is that many of the reading materials for young readers are more appealing to girls. Focusing on stories, such as Star Wars, that have high interest or appeal for boys, is particularly important if we want boys to develop a love of reading.
   
   
2. The illustrations in the Star Wars books support reading development. Graphic novels, or texts that combine pictures and illustrations along with a compelling text, are very popular with readers of all ages. The colorful illustrations of the Star Wars readers are strongly linked to the text and support young readers in successfully reading and understanding the stories.
   
   
3. Children are drawn to characters and themes they find “familiar”. Many children are familiar with Star Wars because they have seen the movies, watched Star Wars: The Clone Wars on television, or have heard their parents talk about Star Wars; or perhaps they even have some of the Star Wars toys. This familiarity supports children in connecting with the characters and themes the Star Wars stories.
   
   
4. The Star Wars Readers are leveled according to reading difficulty to aid parents, teachers, and children in select books that will be at an appropriate level for both read-aloud and independent reading.

Linda B. Gambrell is a distinguished professor of education in the Eugene T. Moore School of Education at Clemson University, is a past president of the International Reading Association. Gambrell served as a member of the Board of Directors of the International Reading Association from 1992–1995 and, in 1998, she received the IRA Outstanding Teacher Educator in Reading Award. In 2004, she was elected to the Reading Hall of Fame.

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