Discusses several books that make the point that readers do and should read stories that are judged to be truly different from stories that are made up. Argues that the responsibility of reading teachers is to help young readers become thoughtfully engaged in their suspension of disbelief. (RS)

Lists five professional periodicals which fit the time and financial constraints of classroom teachers. Reviews "Language Arts,""The New Advocate,""Educational Leadership,""Phi Delta Kappan,""Learning 90," and "Teaching PreK-8." (MG)

Discusses comments about and responses to an article on semiotics by Donald J. Cunningham in the June 1992 issue of the "Educational Psychology Review." Discusses the semiotic method of juxtaposition, juxtaposing a menace being posed to reading teachers with the menace experienced in W. W. Jacobs' classic ghost story "The Monkey's Paw." (SR)

Reviews three texts (published in 1991 or 1992) dealing with portfolio assessment in the reading and writing classroom. Notes that portfolios are powerful agents of change and need to be approached cautiously. (RS)