This book, part of a series which serve as guides for K-12 teachers who are striving to align lively, classroom-tested practices with standards, gathers together brief articles spotlighting instructional suggestions. The book begins with overviews of the key component of fiction, with special emphasis on character. It then continues with a section suggesting major themes of interest to young readers. The third section of the book illustrates ways of moving students from insightful responses to more distanced critical perspectives, while the final section offers ideas for creating communities of readers through such experiences as role playing, student seminars, and the involvement of families and others outside the school. (NKA)