Presents annotations of 99 articles (most published between 1980 and 2001) about young adult literature. Describes the criteria used to select the articles. (SG)

Suggests students can learn a great deal from experiences with literature that has powerful imagery. Discusses imagery in a wide variety of adolescent literature. Suggests choosing works of adolescent literature to use with students by asking: (1) if they offer wisdom; (2) if they are artfully written; (3) if they are successful aesthetically; and…

Considers how Francesca Lia Block's melding of the magic and the ordinary makes her work special. Suggests that magic is what makes people dream, and that the teen years is a great time to dream because there is still time to make dreams come true. Presents a nine-item annotated bibliography of titles for adolescents by Block. (SG)

Notes how the author, an author of children's and adolescent literature, is more and more wary of the ever-vigilant advocates of political correctness when it comes to selecting books for classroom use. Discusses criticisms of his own works. Offers recommendations to influence the reading preferences of 12-year-olds. (RS)

Combines a personal anecdote involving success with one aliterate student and results of research on the reading habits of adolescents. Presents an annotated list of 50 books for "tough guys" that match the reading habits of that particular group. (RS)

Discusses the surprising book choices made by one group of middle school students. Observes that some young adult literature addresses difficult issues about growing up and about society. Argues that an important aspect of growing into and through reading is the development of independence by the reader in finding books that are personally…

Explains a major new book award, the Michael L. Printz Award honoring the best young adult book. Discusses the first prize-winning book: "Monster" by Walter Dean Myers, and three honor books. Discusses how these books are unusual and outstanding examples of young adult literature--structurally sophisticated with memorable characters who deal with…

Discusses Carol Matas' remarkable ability to craft compelling stories from real, but not very well-known events from the Holocaust. Notes that at the heart of these stories are adolescent protagonists who heroically confront their horrible circumstances with courage, dignity, and a fierce determination to survive. (SG)

Presents a telephone interview with Carol Matas. Describes how her stories are full of opportunities for the characters to wrestle with themselves and the choices they have to make. Discusses how she has been influenced by the Holocaust. (SG)

Advocates the wide use of multicultural literature by English/language arts teachers. Suggests that good historical fiction teaches history. Looks at the changing demographics of the United States, racism, and the role of the English teacher. Lists recent articles from this journal which contain suggestions for working with topics and themes…

Looks at three books for young adults by Brock Cole: "The Goats" (1987), "Celine" (1989), and "The Facts Speak for Themselves" (1997). Discusses common elements in these stories: young people who rise to the occasion; adults who often do not; characters readers can empathize with; an honest treatment of sexuality; and a wonderful use of humor. (SR)

Presents young adult literature as a solution to empower students and to make reading literacy attainable for middle and senior high school students who have not become fluent readers. Discusses the importance of accessing the student's own culture and outlines the criteria books should have to mirror the world of adolescents. (SC)

Notes that much of what students read in high school (both young adult literature and the classics) leaves them feeling sad and confused. Argues that teachers can balance that with windows of hope through literature. Offers examples from young adult literature for each of three categories of optimism. Discusses two young adult novels which…

Presents nine answers to frequently asked questions about "Adolescent Literature," sometimes called YA (Young Adult Literature), including: what YA literature is, why it did not exist before 1967, why educators read YA literature, YA's relation to the classics, building a classroom library of YA books, essential resources for teachers, and some…

Examines three different categories containing dilemmas teachers face when considering the use of young adult literature "problem novels" that deal with sensitive subjects. Concludes with guidelines for teachers to try to follow when selecting adolescent novels to discuss or recommend. (TB)