U.K. Kids Say Reading Is Cool

Who says kids don’t like to read? A new study from the United Kingdom says the majority of young people enjoy reading and rate themselves as proficient readers.

In fact, kids are quite proud to be labeled as readers, with 71 percent saying the description suits them just fine. More girls than boys see themselves as readers—and girls tend to enjoy reading more than boys. But, overall, both sexes say they read on a weekly basis, either every day or once or twice a week, says the report “Young People’s Self-Perceptions as Readers: An Investigation Including Family, Peer, and School Influences,” issued by the nonprofit group the National Literacy Trust.

What are kids reading? Magazines, Web sites, and emails topped the list outside of school. The organization surveyed pupils in 29 primary and secondary schools in England.