Ortaokul Öğrencilerinin Okuma Eğilimi ve Okur Kimliklerine Genel Bir Bakış
An Overview of Middle School Students’ Reading Tendencies and Reader Identity

Summary/Abstract: This research examines the external factors that affect middle school students' book reading tendencies and reader identity and the relevance of these tendencies to children's reality. Conducted using a phenomenological design, the research involved 865 students from grades 5 to 8 in Gaziantep during the 2024–2025 academic year. Data were collected through a structured interview form covering personal information and external influences on reading habits and were analyzed via phenomenological reduction, imaginative variation, and essence description. Findings revealed that personal interests, peer influence, and media were key factors affecting book selection, with short stories and novels being the most favored genres. However, many students struggled to articulate book content in detail. Moreover, over half of the books read and recommended by the participants were not suitable for their developmental levels. This study highlights a growing inclination toward popular culture-driven books and emphasizes the need for teacher and parent-supported strategies to guide students’ reading tendencies and foster their reader identity.

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