Examines the concept and practice of bibliotherapy. Considers how young adult fiction can be used as the subject of study in classrooms devoted to bibliotherapy ends. (HB)

Traditional literary criticism, reader-response research, and the techniques of systemic therapy are brought together to provide guidelines for teachers and counselors concerned with using stories to further the emotional development of children. A theory of reader-story interaction is proposed, and a case is made for individually composed…

Reviews the development of bibliotherapy as a diagnostic and therapeutic tool and discusses specific techniques for the selection of appropriate reading materials for both children and their parents. (16 references) (CLB)

Since children who have been abused much of their lives may be unaware that what is happening is unusual, it may be necessary for teachers to take the initiative in educating young children to recognize that abuse is not normal and to talk with someone if and when they realize they are a victim. This education can take place through the use of…