Presents a letter from a sixth-grade student to the author and presents his response letter which are found in a compilation of author/reader correspondence called "Letters of Hope." Discusses the role of the storyteller and considers if writers of young adult literature feel an obligation to provide hope for their readers. (SG)

Discusses writing novels, particularly the author's novel "Freak the Mighty," and what it is like to be a sixth grader. (RS)

Contains a bibliography of 14 adolescent novels and journal articles (published between 1976 and 1994) relating to homosexuality and homophobia, with evaluative annotations outlining themes and plots and offering suggestions for instruction. (TB)

Explains the author's views on writing for young adult readers, and tries to present the awkward realities of the modern world in a way that makes them explicable to the immature mind. Emphasizes that it is important that teachers, librarians, and academics continue selecting and discarding, discussing and analyzing, and making comparisons with…

Considers how adolescent immigrant females seem to experience difficulty walking the fine line between the "old ways" and the "new ways." Discusses young adult literature dealing with female adolescent immigrant experiences. Reviews three books covering this topic. Gives suggestions for teachers guiding young readers through these books. (SC)

Discusses the author's approach to writing nonfiction for adolescents and her experiences with reactions of young readers. Explains the value of real stories being told and read by adolescents. Supports the incorporation of nonfiction into the classroom. (SC)

Discusses (1) a rationale for using young adult literature with adolescent English-as-a-Second-Language learners; (2) an approach to teaching the novel "Make Lemonade" by Virginia Euwer Wolff; (3) activities in which students engaged and samples of their work; and (4) implications for teachers who explore young adult literature with…

Discusses nonprint young adult literature and materials about that literature, and examines resources for those students and teachers who might be interested in audio books, CD-ROMs, films and other visual materials that do not require the reading of print. Explores why recorded books are so appealing to so many people and how they can be useful…

Discusses motivation for writing young adult horror books. Gives examples of where and how the author gets ideas. Illustrates several suggestions for classroom application. Suggests paying special attention to puns and other wordplays that flit through the mind. Suggests writing a random list of words and phrases given by brainstorming students…

Considers how poetry for adolescents depicts female and male roles and examines portrayals of gender in young adult poetry. Finds volumes that both upheld and challenged traditional gender roles. Discusses five anthologies that provide a balance of poetry considered rich and some anthologies challenged for their assumptions regarding gender roles.…

Discusses how literature (especially African-American) affected and shaped the author all her life. Explores how her writing drew on her own experiences and memories. Discusses her experiences writing historical fiction further exploring African-American history. Portrays a spirit of freedom that will show her readers confidence and self-esteem…

Explains how a university teacher committed to the teaching of multicultural adolescent literature comes to discover her own ignorance of Hawaiian culture. Recounts her search for adolescent literature written by and about Hawaiians. Discusses four novels. (TB)

Provides an overview of about 100 quality historical fiction books for each decade of the 20th century. Describes "Doing the Decades" as a program where students, guided by social studies and English language arts teachers, work in learning teams to explore the "ins and outs" of the 1920s, 1950s, or other periods. (SC)

Discusses the independent reading choices of students in grades six, seven, and eight at one middle school in Maryland. (MG)

Describes three studies funded by the ALAN Foundation: the first study examines the potential impact that young adult literature has on a group of high school students; the second examines use of young adult literature in middle school classes in New York City; and the third study surveys 60 professors about their young adult literature courses.…