Takes a look at three recent young adult novels that are stories of children abandoned by their parents, and shows how each retains the essential features of the Hansel and Gretel folktale, a prototype of abandonment stories. (SR)

Discusses the way Lynn Hall uses animals in her novels. Shows how her use of animals varies from background to the focus of the story, often as central object of the heroine's affection. Analyzes Hall's animal novels as archetypically romantic in pattern. (HB)

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)

Examines the portrayal of orphans in four young adult novels. Applies Northrop Frye's modes of literature to seven stages of the orphans' quest for safety, as found in each book. (SR)

Gives a brief biography of Will Weaver, author of young adult fiction, and a detailed review of Weaver's "Striking Out" and its sequel "Farm Team." Explains that the two novels focus on a young adult's family life and his aspiration to excel as a baseball player on the middle school team. (TB)

Discusses the life and writing career of the popular author of adolescent literature, Gary Paulsen. Considers each of Paulsen's novels individually as literary works and the entire corpus as artistic achievement. (HB)

Discusses how Katherine Paterson, in her novel "Jacob Have I Loved," chronicles the human search for identity. Summarizes the novel's plot involving twin sisters. Analyzes the novel's assertion of the importance of individuals set against the backdrop of all humanity. (HB)

Discusses recent events in American culture's ongoing debate concerning the censorship of reading materials for young adults. Considers the ways to defend reading selections from attack by potential censors. Gives advice for teachers challenged to defend their reading selections. (HB)

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…

Examines problems of interpretation posed by Avi's "Nothing but the Truth," particularly those concerning what truth is and what access the reader has to it. Shows how a "documentary novel" employs "objective facts" but allows various characters to manipulate them. Suggests that a traditional approach to the novel is problematic and recommends…

Discusses the way Natalie Babbitt brings up issues of religious conflict and questions about religious certainty and skepticism in her young adult novels. Pays particular attention to two of her novels: "Knee-Knock Rise" and "Tuck Everlasting." (HB)

Claims teachers and students can avoid taking themselves too seriously by developing dimensionality, the ability to recognize varied dimensions of others and of themselves. Suggests young adult literature is a dimensional aid that can help young readers understand themselves. (NH)

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)

Claims there is a missing link between the two seemingly independent stories in Will Hobbs' novel "Bearstone." This missing link can be found through looking at four kinds of play that occur in the novel. (NH)