Critiques five novels by James Salter--THE HUNTERS, THE ARM OF FLESH, A SPORT AND A PASTIME, LIGHT YEARS, and SOLO FACES. Notes that Salter's works have been ignored by literary critics and the public though praised by other authors. (MM)

Recalls the captivating characters; tidy, confident writing and winsome illustrations in the 50-year-old minor masterpiece, "Mr. Popper's Penguins." (SD)

Discusses three "touchstone" young adult books by contemporary Nigerian writers--Jide Oguntoye's TOO COLD FOR COMFORT, Buchi Emecheta's THE BRIDE PRICE, and Agbo Areo's DIRECTOR! (MM)

Paul Zimmer's latest poetry collection, "The Great Bird of Love," is serious and somber, fraught with the burden of evil, the indifference of God, and the certainty of death. The book is not humorless, however, as humor is central to both the chaotic evil and the ordered goodness of human life. It is in this collection that it is…

Discusses some works by the following Australian writers of young adult literature: Ivan Southall, Patricia Wrightson, Bill Scott, Ruth Manley, Allan Baillie, Colin Theile, Ruth Park, Lee Harding, Robin Klein, and Eleanor Spence. (MM)