Because half of all students are female, and because role models are important in forming ideas and images, more attention should be devoted to finding books with heroic, tragic, or significant female characters. Good literature by women can be found in an increasing number of anthologies of women's literature that are now being produced. When…

Employing a body of texts for the reading and study of literature in the English classroom leads to much argumentation, with much disagreement about what is fair game for the writing student. To help determine which texts to select it is necessary to define cultural literacy in a different way from that of E. D. Hirsch. Hirsch would prescribe…

Hundreds of suitable books are available to include in a reading program to supplement the prescribed social studies curriculum. Gordon Parks's book "The Learning Tree" reflects three criteria teachers should consider when selecting books for use in a supplementary reading program. First, the story has what one reader called "cool…

This paper presents proposals for the design and institutionalization of a system for the production and distribution of reading materials for adults, especially in developing countries. Ideas about the problems of production and distribution are developed, along with ideas for use in designing, evaluating, choosing, and promoting policy and…

Offers an appreciation of "Tuck Everlasting," a young adult novel by Natalie Babbitt, which deals with death and the purpose of life, and recommends it particularly for reading aloud in the classroom. (NKA)

Outlines the three desired purposes of bibliotherapy, and discusses possible misuses of the problem novel as therapy for troubled children and adolescents. It is suggested that libraries should utilize bibliotherapy in the broadest sense, not focusing on the problem novel, and guidelines for librarians are provided. (3 references) (CLB)

Describes how a list of the great books of biology was developed. Discusses the insufficiency of textbooks and traditional classroom instruction. Advocates the uses of outside reading and libraries. Focuses on books designed to be read, not studied for information and enjoyment. (CW)

Provides sources of aid and encouragement for parents of children of all ages who want to help their children develop positive attitudes toward reading and sharpen their reading skills. (FL)

This book argues that it is the incorporation of a multicultural agenda into basal readers, the primary tool for teaching reading in elementary schools, that has stunted American children's ability to read. The book shows how basal readers have been systematically "dumbed down" in an effort to raise minority students'"self…

Four goals of reading instruction are problem solving, securing ideas, achieving state mandated standards, and making decisions. These broad goals provide general direction for teachers in teaching reading. In order to apply reading to problem solving, a teacher may propose a life-like and important problem to students. The pupils then select…

This paper reports on an interview with a 10-year-old Black girl, in which she discusses her responses to books about strong, active Afro-American girls. The difficulty of obtaining such books is pointed out, as is the need for studies of the impact of culturally valid books for young readers. (PP)

Teachers often insist that certain "great books" must be taught, although they can seldom agree on a list of titles. But restricting students' reading to the classics only produces boredom. Students deserve widely-read literature teachers, who can bring them knowledge of and excitement about all kinds of literature. (SJL)

Offers suggestions for improving beginning teachers' abilities to teach reading, noting the need for greater cooperation between colleges and practicing schools in providing teachers with the proper training in subject matter and teaching skills. Discusses teacher-developed reading and readiness programs, attitudes, and material selection. (FL)

Describes one teacher's attempt to use storybooks to help her students accept a special needs student in her classroom. Notes that some children's books, however, give the message that diversity makes children different and they must be treated differently. Suggests teachers carefully assess themes in children's literature, as well as their own…

Answers and rebuts an article by Larry Johannessen (in the same issue of the journal) that offers ways for teachers to deal with and help alienated remedial students. Addresses the issues of administrative help, the effect of the interests and enthusiasm of the teacher, and the inner resources of teachers in despair. (PRA)