Asserts that assigning adolescent literature to students without first reading a review of the book is risky because the books may contain sexually explicit text. Argues that teachers should not assign books such as "Vision Quest" by Terry Davis, because they contain graphic language. (PRA)

Shares an account of efforts by a teacher to try and involve 7- to 11-year-old children in a book investigation which would provide them with investigative strategies applicable to subsequent works. (MG)

Shares ways in which teachers who use a basal reading series can go beyond the manual and integrate the whole language approach into the language arts program. (MG)

Offers five guidelines for teaching slow readers: (1) use age-appropriate content; (2) build background and highlight key concepts; (3) keep assignments short; (4) focus on only a few skills and strategies; and (5) practice the chosen objectives to achieve success. (MG)