This annotated bibliography, prepared by the Children's Book Section of the Library of Congress to celebrate the centennial of "The Adventures of Tom Sawyer," lists editions of the Mark Twain classics most widely read by young people, biographical or autobiographical and travel works significant for relevent background, and miscellaneous…

Distressing the classics can be avoided by avoiding three biases in the most commonly taught research program for literary historiography: (1) the bias of bibliography; (2) the bias of antiquarianism; and (3) the bias against social and behavioral sciences. Successful interpretation of text is possible when recognized as being context-dependent,…

Questions the current trend of publishing modern classics of children's literature in lush, expensive, newly illustrated editions. (FL)

Language arts teachers have usually restricted themselves to showing video interpretations of novels or filmed renderings of Shakespeare's plays, for fear of being labeled as that "person who shows movies." But film can be used as a "bridge" to other works of literature, i.e., terms, devices. For example, if the teacher wants…

By immersing young learners in the life and times of Shakespeare and his characters, this book motivates students and helps them learn. It contains everything teachers need to introduce elementary students to four plays: "A Midsummer Night's Dream,""Macbeth,""Hamlet," and "Romeo and Juliet." For each play,…

This book is based on two assumptions: the classics comprise the canon of literature that is mostly taught in schools; and most teachers are familiar with adolescent literature but are unsure how to incorporate its use in classrooms. This book provides the necessary information so that teachers may confidently use young adult novels in conjunction…

William Shakespeare has influenced most, if not all, Western playwrights. His techniques, themes, characters, and plots are contained in much of what is produced today, from television to Broadway. This teacher's guide provides summaries of the plays "The Merchant of Venice" and "Othello," essays, and corresponding student…

This textbook is the fourth reader in a series of school readers to help children acquire the art and the habit of reading well enough to give pleasure not only to themselves, but also to those who listen to them. The selections have been chosen and arranged with strict reference to the capabilities and tastes of the pupils who are to read them,…

Describes 12 old classics of children's literature which are worth reviving in the elementary classroom. (SJL)

Reports on a study indicating that education students entering a beginning children's literature course have not read or heard read aloud many of children's literature classics and award-winning books. (RL)

Argues that using parallels between popular culture and the classics in literature brings greater understanding and appreciation of literature to students. (RL)

Describes how a white teacher at an all-black boarding school made "Hamlet" palatable to his students, turning Hamlet's tragic tale into one the students could call their own. He modernized the story of "Ham-Ice" and his wife, "Q-Trude," and had students act out scenes. Next, he had students watch a film version of…

Describes an effective but new twist on the use of young adult books as bridges to the classics. Considers how "Frankenstein" is a novel written for today. Aims for his students to see that literature can be a way to discuss important issues. Discusses how to bridge Walter Dean Myers' novel "Monster" to…

Suggests that by linking the issues and conflict of classic short fiction to the problems today's students face, an imaginative teacher can still make classic short fiction relevant and compelling. Shares some ideas about how to approach teaching two classic stories that the author has used with success. Concludes that making classic short fiction…

Reviews nine novels for young adults written before 1967 which are now considered to be "classics" by many English teachers. (PRA)