Reviews ten books in two major categories (Professional References and Instructional Materials), which can assist teachers in helping children develop critical power in literacy. (SR)

Discusses 11 books that present thought-provoking ideas to help classroom teachers, parents, and administrators understand the world of developing literacy. Addresses a variety of professional books ranging from texts that focus on issues of race, to books that take up emergent literacy, to texts on beginning teaching. (SR)

Discusses and reviews eight recent books for parents and teachers, focusing on books that deal with inquiry, reading and writing and classroom settings, critical discovery, and the joy of learning. (SR)

Discusses poetry books that highlight "the power of language to invite new relationships, to cast familiar experiences in a new light, to fill our minds with the richness of the people around us, and the world around us." Presents several poetry books addressing relationships with written words in a unique format, concepts in language learning,…

Considers some of the current and emerging issues in the language arts, and how they are reflected in professional books. Discusses three books with distinct themes that challenge conventional wisdom about literacy. Suggests that broadening the framework of literacy will make it more accessible and equitable for a wider range of children. (SG)

Discusses four books that provide critical information about the nature of high-stakes tests; the impact of these tests on teaching, learning, and students; the political issues surrounding high-stakes testing; and ways that educators can take informed action to appropriately respond to these tests. (SG)

Discusses 13 professional books (on multiple intelligences, changing literacies, censorship in children's literature, grading student writing, learning journals, and more) and one book of fiction that are potentially useful to educators, and that, in one way or another, take up the theme of "being explicit about explicit instruction."…

Discusses two series of professional books (dealing with an integrated approach to literacy instruction and using poetry to help children feel the music of language) as well as three poetry collections that will be of interest to both teachers and teacher educators. (SR)