Examines criticism of and resistance to Robert Cormier's young adult novel "The Chocolate War." Argues that the book should be taught as tragedy and that teachers should pay their high school students the compliment of assuming their humanity and thus their need and ability to grapple with true tragedy. (SR)

Demonstrates that a careful reading of the book for young adults, "Holes" by Louis Sachar, reveals how this contemporary story is grounded in folklore, and that it is this debt to folk literature that allows readers to accept an improbable plot. Shows how the story weaves together elements from traditional folk literature and stretches them across…

Discusses why jazz is important for English Language Arts education. Describes some contemporary literature for young adults that the author and others have found to be engaging. Presents some general strategies for incorporating the music and literature into the English Language Arts program. Explores in more detail one specific strategy and…

Explains a major new book award, the Michael L. Printz Award honoring the best young adult book. Discusses the first prize-winning book: "Monster" by Walter Dean Myers, and three honor books. Discusses how these books are unusual and outstanding examples of young adult literature--structurally sophisticated with memorable characters who deal with…

Presents a short story about the visit of a book author to a low-level language arts class. Tells how the teacher's frustration at his students' lack of response led him to a new understanding of his students. (SR)

Looks at three books for young adults by Brock Cole: "The Goats" (1987), "Celine" (1989), and "The Facts Speak for Themselves" (1997). Discusses common elements in these stories: young people who rise to the occasion; adults who often do not; characters readers can empathize with; an honest treatment of sexuality; and a wonderful use of humor. (SR)

Uses examples from the author's experiences writing books for young adults to show the power of literature to see through someone else's eyes and feel through their skin. Offers suggestions for teachers for ways students can take part in the life of the language, shape it, and discover the vitality of the printed page. (SR)

Describes a course for high school English teachers and librarians about using young adult literature. Discusses (1) the rationales, goals and objectives for using young adult literature; (2) novels studied in the course; (3) students' ideas for integrating literature into the secondary English classroom; and (4) ways to dismantle barriers to…

Considers a number of young adult novels in light of how they cast female characters as potential role models to which late 20th-century adolescent readers can relate. Offers brief descriptions of 28 young adult books of historical fiction set in America with female protagonists. (SR)

Describes an interview with Patrice Kindl, describing her world, her writing process, and discussing her two novels for young adults, "Owl in Love" (1993) and "The Woman in the Wall" (1997). (SR)

Summarizes three short young adult novels by Virginia Driving Hawk Sneve, a member of the Rosebud Sioux tribe. Notes the author's positive experience teaching Sneve to middle schoolers. Focuses on themes in Sneve's writing of achieving personal identity, accepting familial and social responsibility, and adopting adult roles. Argues that both…

Discusses three recent novels for young adults set in medieval times, illustrating several ways that modern writers incorporate medieval material into fiction. Argues that pairing such novels with medieval texts such as "Beowulf" and "The Canterbury Tales" offers opportunities to explore traditional literary topics while providing a gateway into…

Argues that young adult literature can play a significant role in the emotional and mental health of an adolescent as well as help young males become more literate. Offers a 19-item annotated list of young adult novels with male protagonists, sorted by themes: nature and adventure stories, sports stories, genre stories, historical stories, and…

Notes the popularity of the science fiction/fantasy genre, and offers a definition of these genres. Discusses teachers' reluctance to read or teach science fiction, but emphasizes its appeal and its usefulness. Discusses how teachers can select and use good science fiction books. Offers a checklist for evaluating such books, and suggests 18…

Describes a unit taught in two middle school English classes, in which students wrote and illustrated their own adventure/journey folktales. (SR)