There seems to be widespread agreement that to qualify as historical, the book's main plot must be set in the past. But how far in the past? Thirty years is sometimes listed as a standard. But does that mean set 30 years at the time the book is written or 30 years from the time it is read? The general consensus is that the book is what it is at…

Girls today have never known a time of athletic inequality. That is why it is so important to build a strong collection for this particular patron base so the voices of the past can encourage the goals of present and future athletes. The young girls of today have grown up with a wide range of athletic opportunities and most do not know of the…

Today's graduates will live and work with people from unknown places and backgrounds. Through the world of story students can journey through unfamiliar cultures, gaining knowledge and understanding of challenges faced by their contemporaries around the world. By selecting fiction books with a global focus, school librarians broaden student choice…

Booktalking authentic multicultural literature can encourage students to read, promote respect for all cultures, and help make all students feel welcome in libraries and media centers. It also provides opportunities to collaborate with teachers to increase diversity throughout the schools. This article presents selected booktalks of contemporary…

When one reads and greatly enjoys a book, he or she would naturally want to repeat the experience. Readers seeking to do so can perhaps find what they are looking for in fan fiction if aspiring fan fiction writers are capable of supplying answers to questions left by the original author in a manner that does justice to that author's style or…

Recently, many new and veteran authors have begun creating modern vampires that are seducing readers with their tales of mystery, suspense, and hunger. Their audiences span most age groups, but teens especially seem to be drawn to these books. As such, librarians must develop a better understanding of which vampire stories really stand out. In…

Stories are a great way to acquaint young learners with geographic locations. A plethora of choices are available in the folktale genre, so librarians and teachers will have little difficulty locating a variety. Folktales provide an accessible and child friendly approach for engaging students. In addition, when connections are made between…

In this article, the author presents a listing of 10 novels about well-known artists. These novels provide unique views of not only the artists, but also of the times, places, and cultures in which they lived. These novels provide a quality reading experience for the art student and others.

As the end of the calendar year approaches, many begin to think about the holiday season. Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, and New Year's all bring an opportunity to bring family and friends together. Libraries will be stocked with titles to help folks remember classic stories and introduce them to new tales as well. Educators can use holiday books…

With the explosion of technology, librarians are not the only ones who sometimes feel that reading has taken a backseat as a recreational activity. Readers are not reading like they used to. However, while overall readership is down in almost every demographic group, African-Americans, a faction traditionally considered reluctant readers, are…

Audiobooks have become a mainstay of the classroom for many teachers. Studies have demonstrated that they are not only effective tools for helping all children become more literate, but they also provide an enjoyable and simple way to introduce children to books they might not otherwise read. Audiobooks have also proven to be effective when…

A work of fiction is presented, which shows the schools of the future. The changes regarding the school, which is based in the year 2014 that are shown in the story may be possible in real life schools, as the latest technology is already available but the courage and vision may be preventing the changes from taking place immediately.

The Pinis are creating a vast and intricate saga to stories involving different groups of elves, trolls, and humans. In the fall of 2004, the conversation between Fiction Reviews Editor Julie Scordato and the Pinis about ElfQuest and their perspective on the student artist is presented.

As a former elementary library media specialist now in a new middle school library media center, it was frustrating for the author to not have enough time to assist students and discouraging to see the apathy that so many of the students displayed toward books and reading. Middle schoolers are busy with social activities, sports, and schoolwork.…

The fiction genre novels published in the US for children as well as for young adults and their responses to contemporary realistic fiction are discussed. The novels from both the 2000-2005 Children's Notables and Best Books for Young Adults lists displays a strong preference for historical fictions.