Describes a questionnaire used by the author to elicit a list of most often read books by her students and analyzes the appeal these books might have for the student. (MM)

Identifies seven types of alphabet books: letter shapes, word play, art play, topical/thematic, multicultural, narrative, and puzzles. Presents annotations of around 30 titles. Suggests that alphabet books are not intended just for the emergent reader--there is a wide range of ABC books with intriguing stories, captivating illustrations, playful…

Presents four educators' recommendations of fantasy literature for high school and middle school students. Gives reasons for each selection and suggests points on which to focus. (SG)

Examines junior high school students' adolescent literature selection process. Finds that the summary on the inside flap and the cover illustrations are the most frequently used cover clues for book selection. (RS)

Presents brief annotations of 100 children's books published in 1998 and voted by children as the books they liked best in the categories of beginning, young, intermediate, and advanced readers. Offers tips for parents, primary caregivers, and educators regarding book activities. (SR)

The purpose of this dissertation was to explore the perceptions and experiences of one class of sixth grade students enrolled in a Title I supplemental reading class. Qualitative research methods included observations, interviews, archived data, and Miscue Analysis. I examined the data through a Vygotsky constructivist perspective to provide…

Suggests that children learn to use language in culturally specific ways. Presents three ways in which to connect children to text: choosing books that relate to children's lives; teaching book reading behaviors explicitly; and making books come alive. (SG)

Presents annotations of 30 trade books on this year's list of Young Adults' choices that are the results of voting by students in five different regions of the United States. Notes that the books selected were published in 2001 and each book had to have at least two positive reviews from recognized sources. (SG)

Presents annotations of 30 trade books chosen by students and published in 2000. Hopes to encourage young people to read; to make teens, teachers, librarians, and parents aware of new literature for young adults; and to provide middle and secondary school students with an opportunity to voice their opinions about books being written for them. (SG)

Addresses legitimate concerns about significant problems related to the need for reading instruction in today's secondary schools. Suggests ways to use literature that appeals to students' interests while emphasizing the development of critical reading skills. Considers how to match literary interests with reading skills instruction. (SG)

Considers what commonplaces of culture and identity are being, could be, transmitted through the use of children's literature in classrooms. Explores what is Canadian about Canadian children's literature. Describes a study which involved Canadian elementary school children who read Canadian children's books. Concludes that literature plays a…

Explores "fanfiction" (fiction written by fans of mass culture, such as "anime," Japanese animation) as a valid literacy practice in the context of the Multiliteracies framework. Strives to understand youth culture better and to make school literacy instruction more responsive to learners' needs. Discusses "Anime" as…

Offers a method of selecting, analyzing, discussing, and testing from college reading materials that has worked significantly better than previous traditional approaches. Concludes that by employing greater student responsibility for what they read, students' interest, enthusiasm, and scholarly use of read material seems to have risen. (SG)

Presents materials that contribute to students' excitement and interest. Reminds teachers that with a new curriculum and new guidelines from local or national educational agencies, the goal is to help students become joyfully literate and experience the pleasures and the rewards that most educators associate with learning. Reviews materials for…