This study explores virtual, student-author interviews eighth-grade students led with Chris Crowe in response to his young adult novel "Mississippi Trial, 1955." The opportunity to interview the author motivated students to read the novel. Through their text-world development, students connected with the fictional and nonfictional…

Ponders the effect of September 11th on teenagers. Proposes that reading books can help teenagers sort out complicated issues. Recommends young adult novels that offer hope for overcoming tragedy. Lists 50 short story collections worth reading. (PM)

Reviews a few authors (from Louisa May Alcott to Francesca Lia Block) who have had a significant effect on young adult (YA) literature and who are most familiar to the author. Presents a starting point for a discussion or study of the foundations of YA literature. (SG)

Describes approximately 60 fiction and about 10 non-fiction young adult literature books and other print media about sports. Notes the importance of sports in American society. (SG)

Notes that English teachers have to do their part in teaching literary-cultural literacy, but they also have a responsibility to expose students to the wide range of literature that exists outside of the de facto Young Adult Literature perpetuated by school curricula. Presents annotations of 10 new or overlooked Young Adult books worth reading.…

Expresses a wish that more young adult novels would include strong fathers in their storylines, arguing that this might help boys be more thoughtful about their fathers and about the role and important attributes of fatherhood. Offers examples of such figures in several young adult books. Also offers brief descriptions of 11 new or overlooked…

Presents resources for finding young adult (YA) reading material. Lists and describes 19 websites and mentions several print resources. Annotates 11 new or overlooked YA books worth reading. (SG)

Presents an interview with Don Gallo, editor of seven anthologies of short stories and one collection of plays, and author or editor of seven books about young adult fiction for teachers and scholars. (TB)

Provides lists of different categories of young adult literature. Suggests that someone should create an award that recognizes young adult books suitable for adults. Annotates 20 new or overlooked young adult books. (PM)

Notes that athletic coaches appear infrequently in young adult novels and are typically narrowly drawn, flat characters. Discusses numerous "coaches" in young adult novels. Suggests that these coaches reflect the real-life good and bad coaches that exist in society. (RS)

Presents an interview with John H. Ritter discussing his life, his books, his views on sports literature, and a variety of other subjects. Discusses in particular his two novels "Choosing Up Sides," and "Over the Wall." Describes how he uses baseball scenes as metaphors to depict difficult choices that kids are dealing with. (SC)

Discusses the attitudes and issues of reluctant readers by describing the author's son Jonathan, an intelligent young man who came to hate reading. Offers advice for teachers from Jonathan regarding how they can help students enjoy reading more. Presents annotations of 11 new or overlooked young adult books worth reading. (SR)

Presents a collection of excerpts from a recent virtual class discussion students (primarily senior English majors planning to become English teachers) had on a course listserv regarding young adult literature. Contains annotations of 10 recommended works of YA literature. (SG)

Argues that multicultural young adult literature can help to break down prejudices and broaden narrow minds. Notes that good books about people from various ethnic groups engage readers in the compounded conflicts of adolescence while helping teenagers discover that they have much in common with their fellow human beings. Notes briefly nine young…

Considers the reasons Advanced Placement (AP) English teachers might give for their literature selections. Suggests eight works for further reading outside the canon for AP and Honors English Teachers. Lists and gives annotations for 10 "new or overlooked" Young Adult books worth reading. (SG)