Underage drinking continues to be a public health concern, partially due to the ease in which adolescents obtain alcohol and consume it in private locations. States and municipalities have implemented strategies to counter-act this, including adopting public policies called social host policies, despite limited evidence of effectiveness.…

This study investigated whether adolescents' response to film is similar to or different from their response to literature and what these similarities or differences mean. Tenth grade students read two literary selections and viewed two films paired on the basis of similarities in treatment of subject and theme. Students' written responses to…

Weaves a discussion of the female protagonist of Laurie Halse Anderson's novel "Speak" into the main discussion of the female protagonist of Carson McCullers'"The Member of the Wedding." Demonstrates the parallels between the stories as well as the distinctions to reinforce their individual richness, and to assist teachers who may choose to pair…

Discusses basic film story types which concern adolescents: delinquency or peer group, school life, sexual awakening, family life, sport and/or animals, and anguished adolescents. Critical criteria for judging films are also considered, including style and statement, images and issues, and form and content. Fifteen sources and recommended films…

Discusses the differing opinions about the value and quality of adolescent literature. Draws from sources indexed in the ERIC system. (MKM)

A rating scale was developed by Stephen Dunning for evaluating adolescent literature objectively. The distinguishing features of the scale's five categories are designed to produce a numerical score between 5 and 25 (each category a 1-to-5 ranking for poor/excellent quality), indicating the relative worth of a specific literary work. The first…

Argues that "Pride and Prejudice" remains a convincing reworking of "Cinderella" that has universal appeal for readers. (HOD)

Analyzes the role of Jim in "Treasure Island" on the basis of his Oedipal relationship with adult father figures, and suggests the book requires a more careful reading than most adolescents give it. (RB)

Examines the contemporary young adult novels of four authors. Shows that studying these novels, which have believable teenage characters, can help the young to see cruelty as selfish, stupid, or vicious, and to become aware of and control their own cruel impulses. (RL)

Examines the problems of spoken poetry, both from the poet's viewpoint and from the viewpoint of adolescents in literature classes. Considers the efficacy of conceptualizing poetry, especially spoken poetry, as popular art. (RL)

Reviews five teenage films and recommends that teachers see them and then discuss them with their students. (NKA)

Assesses the religious content of 34 young adult novels. Reports that nearly half of the titles evidenced no religious content, 13 provided a moderate and unobtrusive religious element, and 5 presented religion as an important element. (MM)

Reviews five characteristics of Gothic literature that makes it appealing to adolescents: (1) extremes of emotion; (2) journey of self-revelation; (3) individual against the unknown; (4) rebellion against authority; and (5) sympathy with the outcast. Appends a 30-item bibliography of recommended Gothic literature. (TB)

This study used four novels by Hermann Hesse as models to illustrate for secondary school English teachers a thematic analysis of the search for identity motif using the triadic view of individual growth. The novels are "Peter Camenzind,""Beneath the Wheel,""Demian," and "Siddhartha." In summary, this study…