Providing spaces for adolescents to make sense of the world around them is often the work of educators, specifically those in Language Arts classrooms. In the current historical moment, adolescents often must make sense of the ways socio-political conflict impacts their world. Displacement, often an effect of socio-political conflict, is…

This article explores the functions of paratextual and intra-textual pirate treasure maps in works of literature for children and young adults. Based on an examination of how the indexical X that "marks the spot" operates as the focal point of the semiotic endeavours of treasure maps, the article outlines the fragile stance of maps…

This review situates how culture, difference, and identity are discursively constructed in "Millicent Min, Girl Genius" and "Stanford Wong Flunks Big-Time," two award-winning books written by critically acclaimed Asian American author Lisa Yee. Using contextual literacy approaches, the characters, cultural motifs, and physical settings in these…

Discusses how two M. Wojciechowska novels, "Shadow of a Bull" and "A Single Light," breathe a myth quality that makes some sense of a violent world of pain, uncertainty, and rejection. (HOD)

Wick describes how Theodore Taylor's "The Cay" can be used in the classroom, and Hall tells of the successful classroom use of Stan Barstow's "A Kind of Loving." (HOD)

Outlines a program of study based on the novel. (RB)

Discusses how myth may be applied in the classroom to the reading of a popular novel, Felice Holman's "Slake's Limbo." (MM)

Provides an account of the deep structures of children's literature. Examines theorizing about these texts that deals with earliest affective experiences, including Julia Kristeva and Erik Erikson. Analyzes two texts from these perspectives: "Wind in the Willows" and "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory." (HB)

Describes four attempts to explore the words of a poem to reexamine the experience and feeling which the poet has encoded in the "objective correlative" of language. Parallels poetic technique and dramatic strategy. Shows how such attempts attracted children's attention to poetry and encouraged them to take poetry emotionally. (HB)

Using a questionnaire, a study determined the titles and authors of fiction most used by teachers in the classroom, how the books were used, and the time spent on these books. (SRT)

Describes different theories by which fairy tales might be used in the English classroom. Discusses Antonia Barber's fairy tale, "The Enchanter's Daughter," and analyzes its structure and characters as an exemplary work. Advocates using this tale in the classroom because of its sensitive adaptation of an important genre. (HB)

Describes and critiques Maurice Sendak's newest book, "We Are All in the Dumps with Jack and Guy," which includes nursery rhymes and pictures. Relates Sendak's book to the poetry of William Blake. Suggests possible readings for the book and approaches to teaching it. (HB)

Describes how issues of war and peace might be taught in the elementary language arts classroom. Explores ways of broaching the issues and selecting proper texts. Considers the reasons for wanting to teach such explosive issues to younger students. Provides two annotated bibliographies (with suggested class activities) regarding these materials.…