An author of young adult literature discusses the methods he uses to "research" his books. (FL)

Examines the reasons why so many people have preconceptions about how much "truth" is in fiction. Notes the effects of believing that authors base their fiction primarily on personal, "true-to-life" experiences. (RL)

Describes the background to some books written by the author, and discusses her desire to motivate those adolescents who do not usually read to read her books. Expresses a desire to write quality books that will win adolescents over to reading. (MG)

An author of children's literature argues for the need for more heroes in works for young people. (FL)

Describes the Author Festival held every two years in Humboldt County, California, at which students meet authors of juvenile and young adult books. Though the festival focuses on the students, authors have the opportunity to discuss their works with each other, and the festival conveys appreciation of their works. (SRT)

An author of young adult literature describes the difficulties confronted in writing the third novel in a trilogy and suggests that, for children, the historical novel can be a signpost between the fixed, always relevant, past and the changing present. (AEA)

Argues that it may be possible to help students read more and, at the same time, to pique their interest in the classics by suggesting that they read the works of Western writer Louis L'Amour. (FL)

Responds to both Kate Water's May l985 article, "Members of the Last Generation" and to a response to it written by Bryna J. Fireside in the January l986 issue, both dealing with whether authors of adolescent literature have a moral obligation to address the issue of nuclear war. (EL)

Discusses the dangers of censorship, children's right to read a variety of types of books, and the importance of children's books in which authors express their personal world view rather than deliberately writing for children. (GT)

The author of "Jacob Have I Loved" and "Come Sing, Jimmy Jo" describes the characters in books she has written who are like "Wednesday's children"--full of woe. Discusses dealing with tragedy in children's books. (EL)

An author of books for reluctant adolescent readers discusses his style of writing and explores some of the issues--personal, sociological, and political--raised by the aspirations of teachers for more and better reading. (HOD)

Seven scholars respond individually to these questions: Do you read many contemporary novels? If you do, whose novels do you read and for what reasons? If you no longer read many contemporary novels, why have you ceased to do so and what kinds of reading have supplanted them? (Editor/SJL)

Reviews the title book and comments on Jarrell's use of language and themes, and his concern with the physical layout of the book. (EL)

Argues that Judy Blume's novels are not so much the recreation of closely observed individuals but the fleshing out of general life processes from the statistics of contemporary psychology. Points out the need for books that do not simply stress accepting things as they are but encourage the hope of changing reality through individual effort. (MM)

Provides selected quotations about reading from great writers of the past (MKM)