This article will share a postcolonial analysis of three widely taught texts that the author has used to introduce both secondary English language arts classes and college students in multicultural young adult literature courses to postcolonial criticism: Sherman Alexie's "The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian," Gene Luen…

"The Road" has been an important part of the author's English IV Honors course for several years now. Undeniably bleak, it details a father and son's journey through a seared, post-apocalyptic wasteland. As they travel through the burnt remains of America, they are threatened by starvation, dehydration, and scattered, hostile humans. Although his…

Street fiction is a popular new genre of novels that focus on contemporary urban life. Marc Lamont Hill, Biany Perez, and Decoteau J. Irby introduce this genre, describing what it is, who writes it, and who reads it. They also offer critiques of the genre and strategies for linking street fiction to the English classroom. (Contains 1 note.)

Discusses a Dickens novel relevant today because it specifically recreates the industrial age going into second gear. (Author/SP)

Contrasts the complaints of a class of gifted students about Dickens' novel "A Tale of Two Cities" with their teacher's discomfort at sitting through the long and tedious movie "Brazil." (NKA)

Analyzes three parts of Tunis' novel in view of the author's opening statement, This is a book about the conscience of a man.''

Defends Bradbury as a major prose writer. Places Dandelion Wine's major theme, initiation, in American literary tradition. Explores the novel's structure, and notes the influence of Mark Twain and Melville, among others, on Bradbury. (JB)

Author quotes O'Connor's defense of her frequent use of poor people as fictional characters; a paper presented at annual convention of National Council of Teachers of English (60th, Atlanta, November 27, 1970). (Editor/SW)

Suggestions for using Dead Souls" in the high school literature class. (SP)

Discusses common threads in the coming-of-age novels by Chicano(a) writers Rudolfo Anaya and Sandra Cisneros. Asserts that these novels are every bit as strong and as literary as the bildungsromans that are traditionally read in literature classes. (PRA)

Provides a curriculum unit using the novel "Fahrenheit 451" to provide student-centered activities based on solid pedagogical methodology. Emphasizes value-centered analysis of the novel, comparison of alternative arguments, and integration of cooperative learning activities. (PRA)

Many well-known adolescent novels perpetuate the dangerous stereotype that killing--and especially killing what one loves--is manly. (JH)