Our Texas schools are becoming more diverse in terms of language, race, and culture, but our curriculum often does not reflect this same diversity. Despite the availability of texts featuring Latinx youth identities, English curriculum still centers on canonical texts that often bolster the privilege of dominant groups over the marginalization of…

Much research exists about adolescent reading, particularly young adult literature (Allington, 2014; Gallagher & Kittle, 2018; Krashen, 2009). Within that body of research are explorations of nontraditional reading experiences among today's adolescents. This research includes gaming narratives (Ellison & Drew, 2019; Hall, 2011; Sylven…

Literature for children and youth has long played a pivotal role in growing students' literacy lives in schools. Fine literature, whether self-selected by students as choice reading or paired with teachers' thoughtful instruction, can launch students into personally meaningful and intellectually stimulating opportunities to read, respond,…

This reoccurring column describes innovative methods for engaging students in reading, writing, and discussing contemporary and classic literary texts written for adolescents. As this column comes to a close, rather than try to cram in a few "last minute" suggestions, the author decided he would instead let some young adult literature…

In this article, the author highlights outstanding literature written for young adults that contains LGBTQ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer/questioning) themes, or contains LGBTQ characters. One of the most critically hailed books with LGBTQ characters from 2007 was Perry Moore's debut novel, "Hero" (Hyperion). This book won the Lambda…

Gives a report on the activities of the ALAN workshop at the 1991 convention of the National Council of Teachers of English. Briefly discusses the activities of 14 young adult authors at the conference who shared the backgrounds for their novels. (HB)

Describes the author's experience writing a novel which she believed was a love story, but came to realize was a story about domestic violence. Argues for a strong role for young adult literature in examining the realities of abusive, confining relationships. Notes that young people have been helped in dealing with their own dilemmas by seeing…

Presents the responses of numerous professional writers to the question, "What did you do on your summer vacation?" (HB)

Collects and presents comments made by authors of young adult literature about their writing and about literature. Discusses how writing for young adults and teaching young adults might be related; why write books for adolescent readers; what their goals are as writers of young adult literature; and how they move from a blank page to a finished…

The articles in this journal focus on several aspects of adolescent literature. In the first article, author Robert Cormier discusses the process of writing a novel and explains how several of his works came to be. The second article comments on the utilitarian nature of English instruction and its accompanying disparagement of aesthetics. The…

Discusses the value of plays written for young readers, actors, and playgoers. Relates how important dramatic plays have been throughout the author's educational experience. Describes important children's literature written in the form of plays. (HB)

The articles in this journal issue focus on adolescent literature. In the first article, author Sue Ellen Bridgers explains how she writes books, while the second article offers an analysis of the recent works of Paul Zindel. The third article presents a discussion of the treatment of outsiders, such as the mentally ill, in four Roy Brown…

Discusses the way Marie G. Lee, a popular writer of adolescent literature, grew up. Considers the effects of those experiences on her subsequent fiction. Focuses on the effects of racism on teenagers. (HB)

Describes the way that novelist Michael Morpurgo came up with his character Anya for the story, "Waiting for Anya." Provides first-person account of the genesis of the character by the author. (HB)

Discusses how Bette Green carried out research for the preparation of her novel, "The Drowning of Stephan Jones." Speaks out against hate crimes against and the oppression of gay and lesbian youth. (HB)