Argues that educators' work involves helping kids decide which texts are worth reading and writing, how, where, and to what ends and purposes. Notes that this is an ethical and social responsibility. Suggests that students need a literacy education that provides critical engagements with globalized flows of information, image, text, and discourse.…

Discusses several collections of poetry that children enjoy. (HTH)

Considers how Jacqueline Woodson has become acclaimed as an outstanding author of children's literature for youths from elementary through high school, even though she began her writing career as an author of short stories for adults. Discusses four of her books. (SG)

Describes how Taylor's life experiences shaped her writing. Discusses nine of her books, what influenced them, and the context in which they were written. (SG)

Examines how nonfiction read-alouds can enrich elementary children's literacy learning experiences. Provides a rationale for the use of read-alouds, guidelines for selection, recommended formats for effective classroom presentation, and activities useful before, during, and after reading. (SR)

Offers an interview with poet X. J. Kennedy, winner of the prestigious National Council of Teachers of English Award for Poetry for Children for the year 2000. Outlines how he began writing poetry, his work writing poetry for adults, and how he began writing poems for children. Offers an overview of his work. (SR)

Lists books published for children in 1985 that are either unique in their language or style, deal explicitly with language, or invite child response or participation. (FL)

Presents a profile of children's author Brian Jacques. Discusses his writing and where he finds his inspiration. Explores four of his books. Discusses his interaction with his editors. (SG)

Explains how children's literature (particularly illustrated tradebooks) makes its way into basal anthologies. Sets an implicit standard for reviewing and selecting such anthologies. (RS)

Focuses on the selection of quality multicultural books for children and young adults. Suggests criteria for such literature, presents a compendium of professional resources that can aid teachers in using it, and offers an annotated bibliography of 75 specific titles that meet the criteria for exemplary pieces of multicultural literature. (RS)

Presents interviews with people deeply involved in multicultural literature for children and adolescents to give more perspectives on key issues related to publishing, selection, and classroom use of such literature. (RS)

Discusses issues that come up in classrooms regarding children's books that have the power to engage students in "critical" conversations about issues of power and social justice, and how systems of meaning in society position educators. Offers descriptions of 12 such books for children, and lists chapter books, books for older readers,…

Reports on the representation of people of color in recent children's literature. Analyzes tradebooks, recommended reading lists, and classroom texts to show that there is still considerable work to be done to make truly multicultural literature available to children in their schools and homes. (MG)

Describes the experiences of one recipient of a teacher researcher grant from the National Council of Teachers of English as her research began to inform her teaching and her teaching influenced her research. (SRT)

Discusses four issues relating to the use of controversial books in schools: (1) self-censorship; (2) policy; (3) parents' roles, teachers' roles, administrators' roles; and (4) impact of controversy. Offers suggestions on how parents, community members, administrators, and teachers can contribute to the selection and evaluation of texts in…