Muses over difference and denial, spotting villains, and gritty inner-city and suburban teenage realities as reflected in several current books, as well as in some by Kurt Vonnegut. (SR)

Discusses several books that make the point that readers do and should read stories that are judged to be truly different from stories that are made up. Argues that the responsibility of reading teachers is to help young readers become thoughtfully engaged in their suspension of disbelief. (RS)

Discusses John McCrone's book "The Ape That Spoke: Language and the Evolution of the Human Mind," highlighting the origins of language and the evolution of habits of thought. (SR)

Discusses several articles and books about codependency, the decline of public education, and public discourse. (MG)

Discusses learning disabilities in light of Gerald Cole's book "The Learning Mystique: A Critical Look at Learning Disabilities" and in the humorous guise of being diagnosed by a learning disabilities expert as having a neurological dysfunction due to a lack of interest in watching football. (RS)

Warns against tendencies in educational circles to make lists but not check them twice. Discusses Denny Taylor's "Learning Denied" and Bart Kosko's "Fuzzy Thinking: The New Science of Fuzzy Logic," as well as seven education articles. (SR)

Discusses Tom Gilovich's book "How We Know What Isn't So," relating it to reading instruction. Discusses self-fulfilling and seemingly fulfilled prophecies, necessary versus sufficient evidence, and the distinction between skepticism and closed mindedness. (SR)

Offers thoughts about biliteracy and multicultural issues in education and reviews briefly several books on the topic that focus on Hispanics. (SR)

Discusses educational research and the relationship between researchers and teachers. Reviews briefly Jacques Barzun's book "Begin Here: The Forgotten Conditions of Teaching and Learning," and Frank Smith's article "Learning to Read: The Never-Ending Debate." Calls for a rehabilitation of common sense, valuing the thoughtful…

Discusses Joan Del Fattore's book, "What Johnny Shouldn't Read: Textbook Censorship in America," and the complexity of problems posed by current censorship efforts. (SR)

Discusses Roger Schank's book "Tell Me a Story," noting that understanding stories (their structure, acquisition, and retelling) is at the heart of understanding intelligence. Notes that the best reading teachers adapt their stories--rather than relying on rules--for the guidance they need to work with different students at different times. (SR)

Discusses five recent books on reading and literacy which represent the brighter side of the reading profession. (RS)