neuroscientists have found plenty of proof that reading fiction stimulates all
sorts of cognitive areas—not just language regions but also those responsible
for coordinating movement and interpreting smells. Because literary books
are so mentally invigorating, and require such engagement, they make us
smarter than other kinds of reading material, as a 2009 University of Santa
Barbara indicated. Researchers found that subjects who read Kafka's "The Country
Doctor"—which includes feverish hallucinations from the narrator and surreal
elements—performed better on a subsequent learning task than a control group
that read a straightforward summary of the story. (They probably enjoyed
themselves a lot more while reading, too.)
Donna Baumbach on 15 Nov 09"Reading is a foundational skill for 21st-century learners. Guiding learners to become engaged and effective users of ideas and information and to appreciate literature requires that they develop as strategic readers who can comprehend, analyze, and evaluate text in both print and digital formats. Learners must also have opportunities to read for enjoyment as well as for information. School library media specialists are in a critical and unique position to partner with other educators to elevate the reading development of our nation's youth."
