Offers reasons why popular literature, such as the work of Judy Blume, and the literary "classics" do not keep adolescents interested in literature and reading. Suggests several authors and books that are especially suited to the reading needs of young adults. (RL)

Considers the differences between young adult and adult books and maintains that teachers must be familiar with young adults' tastes for both. Suggests that traffic between these publishing divisions is a two-way street, with young adults reading adult books and adults reading young adult books. (TB)

Examines Dora V. Smith, who was a pioneer in education, ahead of her time in calling for a student-centered approach in the teaching of writing and reading. Explains how she stood up for cultivating a child's personal interests, both in choice of reading material and in written responses to that reading. (TB)

Discusses the importance of keeping adolescents' interests and needs foremost in mind when designing literacy instruction at the middle and high school level. Argues that effective adolescent literacy instruction must address issues of self-efficacy and student engagement with a variety of texts in diverse settings. Contends it must also attend to…

Notes that with so many multivoice novels accessible to teens, there is a great opportunity to expand students' reading repertoire. Proposes that young adult novels are an excellent transition to classic literature that may seem remote or difficult. Offers advice on teaching multivoice novels. Concludes that multivoice novels show young readers…

Reviews 23 recently published works of multicultural literature (African-American, Asian and Asian-American, Native American, and Hispanic literature). Discusses some issues related to multicultural literature, and includes a 58-item list of other multicultural literature. (RS)

Discusses problems associated with literature-based reading programs which use children's literature in the same way basal readers are used. Encourages teachers to allow students the freedom of exploring and learning from the book without creating drill and vocabulary lessons from it. (MG)

There is a dire need to incorporate German-Americana into the classroom. Practical ways in which german-American texts can be used productively even in the first two years of instruction are given. A sample text with exercises is provided as are ideas and sources for further German-American lesson plans. (LET)

Describes an interview with Patrice Kindl, describing her world, her writing process, and discussing her two novels for young adults, "Owl in Love" (1993) and "The Woman in the Wall" (1997). (SR)

Presents brief descriptions of 22 recently published books for children and adolescents that present untold stories that begin to fill in the gaps of mainstream versions of the past. Includes categories of historical fiction, historical nonfiction, biography/memoir, and poetry and verse. Discusses these books in tandem with numerous landmark…

Argues against using literature with high school students that is relentlessly dark, depressing, and self absorbed, which English instructors often find Deeply Significant, and which many students find repulsive. Argues that what many young readers want now is a literature of hope. Recommends 20 such books. Offers brief descriptions of 10 new or…

Argues that English teachers should remember that nonfiction is the preferred reading choice of many of their students, and can be a "good read" and have superb aesthetic qualities. Offers guidelines to help educators design strategies to elicit student responses about nonfiction in the classroom. Describes 25 recently published outstanding…

Discusses and answers objections to young adult literature which generally fall into one of two categories: that young adult books are bad because they are not the classics, and/or they corrupt the young. Offers brief descriptions of 12 new or overlooked young adult books worth reading. (SR)

Discusses the power of books and literacy, the power of giving students their own books to take home, and young adult novels in which the importance of books is a major theme. Offers brief descriptions of 27 books (mostly novels) whose stories focus on the power of books and literacy. (SR)

Children's literature is an excellent medium to introduce global concepts and bridge multicultural understanding. Through the use of books, children can be helped to appreciate the commonalities and differences among cultures, to become aware of a relationship with self, others, and the environment, and to identify with the human condition. An…