"What is Literature? A Critical Anthology" explores the most fundamental question in literary studies. 'What is literature?' is the name of a problem that emerges with the idea of literature in European modernity. This volume offers a cross-section of modern literary theory and reflects on the history of thinking about literature as a…

Games offer unique possibilities for learning, and text-based interactive fiction ("IF") in particular lends itself as a low barrier to entry for instructors and students wishing to build interactive narrative games. Understanding by Design provides a framework by which to determine the best possible places for instructor- and…

"Here Comes the Bogeyman" is an essential text focussing on critical and contemporary issues surrounding writing for children. Containing a critically creative and a creatively critical investigation of the cult and culture of the child and childhood in fiction and non-fictional writing, it also contains a wealth of ideas and critical advice to be…

"Number the Stars" by Lois Lowry is a popular historical novel for adolescent readers about the Nazi occupation of Copenhagen, Denmark during World War II and the efforts of Danish resisters who successfully rescued 98% of that nation's Jewish population. While this 1998 book is considered to be a fictional account, most of the events in…

This paper explains how first-year composition students wrote business sales letters about short fiction and then revised those letters into full-fledged literary essays that analyzed the stories. By completing these two writings back-to-back (that is, experiencing the metagenres between business writing and literary analysis), students not only…

This book is based on the belief that deep subject knowledge of language and literature provides a foundation for effective teaching and learning. It provides a guide to the range of genres and characteristic features of English language fiction written for children. It is designed to help readers to develop their understanding of literature…

As multicultural education is becoming integral to the core curriculum, teachers often implement this aspect into their courses through literature. However, standards and criteria to teach and promote active discussion about this literature are sparse. This book introduces pre-service and experienced teachers to the use of literature to promote…

This document contains a short fictional story about a girl who, with the help of a fictional guardian armadillo, learns how to say "no" when her friends want her to do something she thinks is wrong. Readers will learn how to say no without losing their friends. (NB)

This document contains a short fictional story about three brothers who must decide how to spend $200 after their mother receives an unexpected bonus. The boys in the story have a brainstorming session and seek advice from adults before reaching a compromise that is acceptable to all of them. Readers learn about compromise, money management, and…

"On the Staff" is the fourth of the series of historical fiction novels in the series, "The Blue and the Gray--on Land." Like its predecessors, it is set during the time of the United States Civil War. In this volume, the hero, Deck Lyon, has grown somewhat older, and his character and ability have been considerably developed;…

This illustrated book for children tells a story about Pepito, a young boy who appreciates the value of diversity and the need for harmony in the world. Pepito was a peacemaker who liked to smile and to listen. He heard much about the United Nations and became enamored with the idea of making a speech before the Assembly. He wanted to tell the…

"On the Blockade" is the third historical fiction novel in the "The Blue and the Gray Series." Like the first and second volumes, the plot dates back to the War of the Rebellion, and takes place in the midst of scenes on the Southern coast, where the United States naval operations occurred. Many of the personages of the…

This document contains two short fictional stories in which children learn to make good decisions about the way they spend their time. The first story concerns a girl who learns to budget her time and complete her homework before doing leisure activities. The second story concerns a boy who had to decide between playing in the soccer league or…

This document contains a short fictional story about a young boy who is angry when his mother decides to remarry. The theme of the story is handling family changes. Readers discover how the boy learns that a bigger family, with a stepfather and new stepsiblings, can be fun. (NB)

This document contains a short fictional story about a girl who is overwhelmed by mathematics homework, a book report that is due, and family chores that she must complete. The story describes the girl's trip to the zoo with her father and the ways she learned to handle stress by observing the animals. Readers learn about healthy, effective ways…