Describes how a high school English teacher used the novel "Cold Sassy Tree" in an elective course entitled Thanatology: A Literary Approach. Notes that the novel clearly addresses virtually every aspect of death, dying, grieving, and loss through an artful array of three-dimensional characters. (RS)

Discusses issues related to the use of gay and lesbian literature in secondary English classes. Describes how one English teacher uses A. M. Homes's novel "Jack" to help students understand the problems faced by homosexuals in today's society. (HB)

Describes young adult novels that may prove to be classics of the genre. Discusses "The "Chocolate War" by Robert Cormier, "The Outsiders" by S. E. Hinton, "The Witch of Blackbird Pond" by Elizabeth George Speare, and "On Fortune's Wheel" by Cynthia Voight. (HB)

Discusses films based on young adult novels and why they are often considered failures. Describes various films about young adults and their problems that have proven to be artistic successes. Gives close attention to film versions of S. E. Hinton's novels and of Robert Cormier's "The Chocolate War." (HB)

Explains how book groups worked in a tenth-grade English classroom. Makes a case for "Making Lemonade" (a young adult novel about teenage pregnancy and poverty) as a compelling and provocative text for young adults. Notes that the school nurse visited the class to discuss the book. Addresses the nurse's unique contribution to the students'…

Presents the three different types of teachers that play an important role in Cynthia Voigt's novel, "Dicey's Song." Analyzes the three models of teaching behavior represented in the novel. Relates these models to Carol Pearson's psychological archetypes for heroic growth. (HB)

Provides a transcript of an interview with young adult novelist Ruth White. Discusses White's methods of writing and publishing, her individual works of fiction, and the influences on her writing career. (HB)