Questions the current trend of publishing modern classics of children's literature in lush, expensive, newly illustrated editions. (FL)

Describes 12 old classics of children's literature which are worth reviving in the elementary classroom. (SJL)

Reports on a study indicating that education students entering a beginning children's literature course have not read or heard read aloud many of children's literature classics and award-winning books. (RL)

Argues that using parallels between popular culture and the classics in literature brings greater understanding and appreciation of literature to students. (RL)

Describes how a white teacher at an all-black boarding school made "Hamlet" palatable to his students, turning Hamlet's tragic tale into one the students could call their own. He modernized the story of "Ham-Ice" and his wife, "Q-Trude," and had students act out scenes. Next, he had students watch a film version of…

Describes an effective but new twist on the use of young adult books as bridges to the classics. Considers how "Frankenstein" is a novel written for today. Aims for his students to see that literature can be a way to discuss important issues. Discusses how to bridge Walter Dean Myers' novel "Monster" to…

Suggests that by linking the issues and conflict of classic short fiction to the problems today's students face, an imaginative teacher can still make classic short fiction relevant and compelling. Shares some ideas about how to approach teaching two classic stories that the author has used with success. Concludes that making classic short fiction…

Reviews nine novels for young adults written before 1967 which are now considered to be "classics" by many English teachers. (PRA)

Reminds readers what a deeply problematical exercise teaching Shakespeare can be. Describes teaching "Romeo and Juliet" to a mixed ability year 10 class. Argues that Shakespeare should not be obligatory in the secondary classroom; that there is no excuse for the elitist attitudes around Shakespeare; and that Shakespeare should be treated…

Argues that classic authors can and should still be kept at the center of the literature curricula in the middle school. Uses Leo Tolstoy as an example, describing briefly some of Tolstoy's works that are especially appropriate for early middle school readers, later middle schoolers of average reading ability, and the most able middle school…

Encourages the idea of cross-generational shared reading experiences. Presents annotations (written by students) of 12 titles. Notes that almost half of the books that are featured have been around for a while, and yet they are still fresh for new readers. (SG)

Explores how, although minority and female authors have found a place on many English departments' reading lists, the debate over the benefits of a diverse curriculum still linger. (EV)

Along with pioneering thrusts into new thematic territory for children's literature has come experimentation in form, style, and technique, even more marked in the field of illustration than in verbal narrative. This article serves as an introduction to contributions by English, French and American experts on children's literature. (Author/SJ)

Reveals the ways college curricula influence secondary school reading lists, and examines how and why definitions of "classic" literature change. (JL)

Suggests using children's classics to promote interest in reading and lists several favorites in the categories of adventure, humor and fantasy, stories of family life, and historical fiction and history. (MKM)