In "Skellig," "Kit's Wilderness," and "Clay", David Almond employs various types of intertextuality to enrich his narratives. Through the use of allusion, adaptation, collage, and mise-en-abyme, he encourages his adolescent readers to seek out precursor texts and to consider the interrelationships between these texts and his own. By so doing, he…

Discusses the situation with out-of-print books in the realm of adolescent literature. Describes two projects working to bring selected out-of-print books back into print. (SR)

The author discusses the work of black women writers and suggests why they seem less active in recent decades. She lists 14 such writers. (CH)

Discusses changes in the field of young adult literature since the 1980s. Examines how the definition of "young adult" has evolved. Offers a brief overview of the history of young adult literature from the 1940s. Considers the rise of awards for merit in young adult publishing, noting three in particular. Concludes this is a golden age of young…

Books written for and about children may serve to convey central cultural tenets to new members of society. This paper looks at the depiction of encounters between newcomer and locally born children in contemporary Hebrew literature aimed at teenage readers and presents the major resources and practices by means of which the newcomer protagonists…

The author discusses censorship in the field of adolescent literature. He gives a brief history of censorship and discusses why it is increasing. He suggests how practitioners can counter censorship and how to deal with protesters. (CH)

Presents the 1991 Young Adults' Choices, the fifth annual list of books preferred by readers in middle schools and junior and senior high schools in the United States. Offers annotations for all 28 books which include a short description of the book and possible uses in the classroom. (SR)

Discusses 10 books as resources for teachers and educators--books that focus on the creative processes of authors and illustrators (providing insights into literature), and books that offer readers a behind-the-scenes look at how some well-loved books originated. (SR)

Considers the problems associated with writing historical fiction for young adults. Discusses problems of definition, "truth," balance between historical details and fictional elements, accuracy, and provenance. Discusses how such writing negotiates the fine line between contemporary sensibilities and historical accuracy, offering a lens…

Outlines the life of Frances Hodgson Burnett, author of "The Secret Garden." Argues that it not only tells an enthralling tale, but takes readers on a journey through the history of English literature. Discusses the gothic tradition and romanticism of "The Secret Garden." Lists classic elements in the book and offers five ideas…

The author discusses the use of science fiction as a catalyst for values education for adolescents. (CH)

Argues that, in "Island of the Blue Dolphins," Scott O'Dell offers a skeleton main character (Karana). Contends that O'Dell has sketched Karana as a stereotype and that readers complete her characterization, filling out the skeleton by perpetuating the stereotypes. Points out this trading of stereotype for true character development in…

Discusses 7 books for educators that report successful practices in the teaching of reading within a literature-based curriculum. Notes that these professional resources show what teachers are doing in their classrooms to make literature a vital part of children's lives, based on the power of literature as an artistic form and its potential to…

Presents excerpt from introductory chapters of author's forthcoming comprehensive sourcebook on young adult sexuality materials, "Sex Guides: Books and Films about Sexuality for Young Adults." History of sex education, social trends contributing to ambivalence in sexual attitudes, patterns of adolescent sexual activity, and sex education manuals…

Discusses Lesley Beake's novel "Song of Be," a novel set in Namibia that focuses on the life of Be, an adolescent girl who is dealing with abandonment, reconciliation, and personal and cultural identity. Notes that the book presents a culture very different from that of young American readers but recounts growth and development which is…