This keynote speech reflects on the experiences of the Horn Book Magazine's editor-in-chief during the 20 years following her graduation from Indiana University. Ten qualities which are important in selecting books to read aloud to children are outlined in the speech. They include: (1) strong plot lines; (2) characters with whom children can…

Outlines standards to use in judging which books will be good, and which ones bad, for children; suggests that children's novels should be characterized by their responsibility to the demands of immediate life. (GT)

Explores some of the issues arising from censorship and advances the argument that censorship militates against true literacy. (RS)

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)

Reviews and analyzes "The True Story of Lilli Stubeck" by James Aldridge, winner of the 1985 Australian Children's Book of the Year. Recommends the book for both young people and adults because it demonstrates two vital human concerns, the search for truth and the improvement of the human condition. (SRT)

Annotates trade literature dealing with children or adolescents who are both handicapped and members of a minority group. (FL)

Defines "junior reading books," shows that evaluation of such books is desirable, discusses four possible approaches that could be used in evaluating the books, and provides a detailed analysis of part of the "Wide Range Readers," books widely used in British schools. (FL)

Discusses the problem of aliterate people, or those who can read but won't, and suggests that teachers must be aware of good adolescent literature to foster reading habits in students, rather than forcing them to read classics they are not mature enough to understand. (CRH)

Lists adolescent novels that dramatize the trauma of war for the young. (EL)

Describes works that develop skills to help students face the inevitability of death, make sophisticated decisions about the issues of death and dying, and appreciate life while they are living it. (CRH)

Suggests that, in selecting readings or texts for their composition students, instructors should choose the best contemporary prose, thus giving their students models by which they can improve their own writing. (MM)

Recent research confirms that children learn to read best by using a balanced literacy program incorporating a combination of explicit phonics, whole language, and good literature. Long before children are able to engage in reading themselves, they must feel that reading is something they want to do. Comfortable and early familiarity with letters…

Picture books can be used effectively in the classroom in all content areas and at all grade levels. They can supply an almost unending supply of ideas and fit into many content area's teaching strategies because they are short enough to read and use in a class period. When considering the selection of a picture book that is appropriate for use in…

The new realism of using books to offer solutions to problems or present solutions that could lessen a person's inner turmoil and break down attitudinal barriers to learning was coined "bibliotherapy" by G. O. Ireland in 1930. Each year the International Reading Association publishes an annotated collection of contemporary literature in…

Suggests that social scientists use the reading of literature to enhance their instruction about contemporary situations. (AEA)