Describes three books which depict family structures in which children are parented by lesbians and gay males. Identifies the strengths and weaknesses of these books and suggests that teachers must seek out this type of book and then advocate that libraries purchase them. (SR)

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)

Challenges the pervasive role that fiction has played in read-aloud programs and develops a rationale for including nonfiction. Includes a 20-item annotated bibliography of nonfiction read-alouds. (SR)

Defends the practice of introducing elementary school children to stories dealing with complex social problems and issues. Claims schools should not be disconnected from children's everyday experiences, and teachers should not underestimate the capacity of children to understand and deal with this type of material. (NH)

Interviews author Jim Murphy, two-time winner of the Orbis Pictus award for children's nonfiction. Discusses his writing processes, finding subjects, his fascination with first-hand accounts of history, his use of visual displays that extend text, and ensuring accuracy. (SR)

Discusses the life and works of acclaimed writer Walter Dean Myers. Describes his struggles growing up, his time in the army, his decision to become a writer, and the father/son relationships in his books. Discusses how Myers' concern for African-American heritage, identity, and pride led to biographies of Sarah Forbes and of Malcolm X. (SR)

Presents brief responses from six educators describing the best young adult novel they have ever read, and why they chose that book. (SR)

Suggesting that teachers who encourage students to use many kinds of trade books across the curriculum are likely to be rewarded with students who are excited about learning, this fastback focuses on using children's literature across the curriculum. The fastback discusses reader response theory, connecting the curriculum through literature,…

The Girls' Books in Series collection at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro's Jackson Library contains over 1850 volumes, with publication dates ranging from the mid-1800s to the 1980s. The library's list currently contains approximately 511 different series. The library owns all the titles for 85 of the series. For 167 of the series,…

In order to help teachers identify works of literature that will remain vibrant parts of their students' lives and give them new insights into themselves, their friends, and their enemies, this journal contains articles suggesting works that the authors found most meaningful to themselves. Titles and authors are as follows: (1) "'April Morning':…

Libraries serve our nation and its citizens in two primary ways: by preserving our common culture, and by nurturing and sustaining democracy itself. A particular democratic function of libraries is fostering reading. As noted in two reports recently issued by the U.S. Department of Education, "What Works" and "First Lessons," it is imperative to…

Three young adult novels published in 1983 or 1984 that are worthy of a place in the literature curriculum are discussed. These books have a special appeal to adolescents, deal with problems students might encounter growing up, expand their self-awareness and their experiences, and are teachable. They contain balanced, recognizable, and…

Since it is unavoidable that children will experience the death of people and animals through media, literature, and real-life situations, they will need adult help when trying to understand what death is and how it affects them. Researchers generally agree that a child's perception of death is developmental, closely associated to either age or…

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)

States that teachers need to understand the appeal of novels that teenagers prefer to read and analyzes a popular romantic novel, "Flowers in the Attic." (DF)