Reviews the 1990 conference on children's classics that was sponsored by Drexel University and the Free Library of Philadelphia. Highlights include summaries of and excerpts from papers by author and illustrator Wendy Watson and Anita Lobel, and information on the recipient of the 1990 Drexel Citation, author and illustrator Carolyn Croll. (LRW)

Argues that recent translations of works into Spanish are a great way to engage Spanish-speaking adolescents in the reading process. Offers brief descriptions of 16 such books that offer appeal for reluctant readers, accessible adventures, books about trendy subjects of interest to adolescents, and engrossing renditions of classics by world…

Presents students' responses when the author asked whether or not it was worthwhile to study King Lear. Recognizes that she could not sell Shakespeare to her students and that most of them will never read another of his plays. (SG)

Stresses the importance of exposing all students (including second language and underprivileged students) to classic texts. They must be taught how stories work and how to read them. This includes making connections beyond the story, encouraging student-run discussions and projects, scaffolding for dictation and syntax, teaching about reading…

Introduces a critical methodology for students approaching literary French texts of the Classical period, such as Moliere. Suggests that greater understanding of the material leads to greater enjoyment. It is concluded that this type of instruction need not be limited to students of French, but rather, students of all languages could profit from…

Argues that critics of children's literature who extol the folktale should think twice before so vehemently scorning popular fiction such as the Nancy Drew series and that historians of children's literature should consider further what some writers of children's classics may have owed to the formulas of popular adult fiction. (HOD)

The teaching of writing and formation of the literary canon are influenced by two myths. First, writers must assume they will be neglected, misunderstood, and unappreciated in their lifetimes, and second, the writer will prevail if the work is good. Both ideas are examples of underlying religious metaphor in writing instruction and publication.…

A historical overview of challenges to biased social values and sexist stereotypes in children's books is followed by observations by Carolyn W. Carmichael about literature as a reflection of its culture, and by a discussion by Patricia J. Cianciolo of considerations in evaluating classics for use with children. (ET)

The annotated book list in this article was inspired by the scramble to concoct a college-prep curriculum for all students. The author begins with recommendations for rereading certain classics for inspiration and perhaps also for descriptions of follies and commentaries on them. Other reading suggestions are also included.

Describes method of presenting theme booktalks to high school students to appeal to their various reading levels and interests. Excerpts from various forms of adult classics and young adult literature illustrate a technique to link the works by themes pertinent to teenage readers. (CD)

By examining the works of classic American authors, this book presents the idea that individual human beings can break free of the structures of thought into which they are born and that, by reimagining the world, can change it. In chapters on Herman Melville, Henry David Thoreau, Edith Wharton, Richard Wright, Harriet Beecher Stowe, Abraham…

In their anthology, Guth and Rico cite as preface to Nathaniel Hawthorne's "Young Goodman Brown," a student paper saying: "The mere doubt of the existence of good and the thought that other human beings are evil can become such a corrosive force that it can eat out the life of the heart." This is what happens to Brown. In the…

Suggests that Ralph Waldo Emerson is one of the most important figures in American Literature, yet his writing can be too "lofty" for many modern students to grasp. Offers some examples of ways to bring Emerson down to earth, grounding his spiritualist musings in material illustrations and making him more accessible to students. (NB)

Argues that it is time to legitimize the whole of literature for students and reject without qualms the presumption that certain books are more fit to be read than others. Argues that educators deny students gems by proffering them a list of great works, and that this "bulldozing mentality" damages an already fragile acceptance of reading. (SR)

Intended as an accessible resource for students researching "The Canterbury Tales," this collection of essays about Geoffrey Chaucer's (d. 1400) classic work contains an in-depth biography of the author and writings from a wide variety of sources. The essays are edited to accommodate the reading and comprehension levels of young adults;…