Here, the author looks at four diaries, more specifically three conventional diaries and a blog: "The Diary of a Young Girl," by Anne Frank; "Zlata's Diary," by Zlata Filipovic; and "Last Night I Dreamed of Peace" by Dang Thuy Tram. "Baghdad Burning" is the transcript of a web log, a blog, by a young Iraqi woman who went by the pseudonym…

This article describes an assignment that encourages students to create collaboratively designed fantasy worlds. Inspired by the fanfiction genre, a teacher helps students create a world of interlinking stories and develop more detailed, sophisticated writing through in-depth collaboration. The authors present and discuss three salient forms of…

"Trope" comes from a Greek word meaning "turn." In the rhetorical sense, a trope refers to a "turn" in the way that words are being used to communicate something more than--or different from--a literal or straightforward message. Tropes are part of "deep structure" meanings and include such rhetorical devices as allegories, allusions, euphemisms,…

The secret to a good celebration is to involve as many students as possible and to give them genuine responsibilities and encouragement to be creative. Literacy celebrations offer students, and teachers, the opportunity to have fun and show off what they have learned during their deeper exploration of various literacy studies. The author conjures…

This article describes the Tribal Paradise Project the author and her colleagues designed for their high school students. This project was a bold attempt to bring together the real-world skills of collaboration and online writing into one major, cross-school project. Adapted from the famous "Flimibuff" assignment cited by Ray Saitz on his teacher…

Argues that students of all ages respond to the mystery, possibility, and adventure of science fiction and fantasy and should not be discouraged from reading in these genres under the pretense that they are "less grown up" than more "realistic" genres. Reviews a number of good science fiction books published from 1994-95. (TB)

Describes techniques for teaching fantasy to junior high school students. (DD)

Summarizes 10 books recommended for young adult readers in the genres of fantasy, supernatural phenomenon, and science fiction. (MM)

Cites Bruno Bettelheim and Patrick Merla in defending the theory that the simple plots found in fantasy reinforce good and reaffirm our beliefs in humanity's perfectability. (DD)

Fantasy fiction of the type listed may be used to attract and hold an otherwise reluctant reader. (SP)

Objects to an alleged misrepresentation and inaccurate presentation of a J. R. R. Tolkien quotation in "Adventures in Reading" (Harcourt, Brace & World, 1969), a ninth grade literature anthology. (RD)

Adolescence is a period of feeling like an outsider. Teenagers are literally outsiders in their bodies because they are unable to stop or control the physical changes that are happening. Laurence Yep, whether writing historical and contemporary fiction, science fiction, or fantasy, has outsider as the dominant theme in his writing.

Reviews books of fantasy and science fiction for young adults. Points out that fantasy exercises the imagination, helps readers clarify genuine problems, and allows for escape from everyday reality at the same time that it generates hope. (EL)

Presents a brief discussion of critical topics addressed in fantasy literature that can help build a foundation for bringing this well-loved genre into the classroom in a meaningful way. Considers fantasy literature's mythic structures and heroic cycles, and religious commentary. Discusses history in fantasy, gender roles, and social commentary of…

Defines the boundaries between "realist" literature and science fiction and fantasy. Describes science fiction writing assignments. Mentions science fiction and fantasy books suitable for the uninitiated reader. (RS)