This article explores the benefits and problems of teaching with challenged books in the English language arts classroom. Challenged books initiate important discussions and provide opportunities for students to explore diverse perspectives. Methods for helping teachers and schools prepare for potential challenges are also discussed. The authors…

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to explore how three young women of color responded with "outlaw emotions" to the novel "Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe" by Benjamin Alire Sáenz in a literature discussion group. This paper considers how readers respond with outlaw emotions and how responses showed…

As readers, we often seek out books that will help us find our way or will provide us with new insights. We select books for classrooms and children based on their interests, questions, and life situations. With this in mind, the selections this year are organized around the theme of searching. We search for peace around the world, among our own…

One of the primary aims of schools is supposed to be to educate children and young adults to be caretakers of our fragile and complex democracy. School is the one common American experience with the hope to inspire students to participate in the ongoing pursuit of a more caring and thoughtful society and a more harmonious world. Young adult…

State and national education initiatives provide American students with opportunities to engage in close readings of complex texts from diverse perspectives as they actively construct complicated understandings as they explore complex texts. Opportunities for interdisciplinary units emerge as the role of non-fiction in English/language arts and…

The article describes a semester-long project that draws on Suzanne Collins' "The Hunger Games" as a resource and over-arching theme for preservice teachers taking a content area literacy course. We examine how preservice teachers learn to connect written texts to content area (disciplinary) literacy and consider ways to prepare them for…

This study examines students' perceptions of the outcomes and processes of engaged reading in classrooms prioritizing engagement through self-selected, self-paced reading of compelling young adult literature. The primary data were 71 end-of-year student interviews, supported by end-of-year teacher interviews, biweekly observational data,…

Drawing on and reexamining theories on gender and literacy, derived from research performed between 1974 and 2002, this qualitative study explored the gender assumptions and expectations of 19 preservice and practicing secondary language arts teachers in a graduate level adolescent literature course. The theoretical framework was structured around…

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…

Human developmental stages can be identified and traced through the study of fantasy writing. (JH)

Discusses the possibility of censorship of children's and adolescent's books and offers concrete suggestions for preventing or combatting such censorship. (TO)

Presents brief responses from six educators describing the best young adult novel they have ever read, and why they chose that book. (SR)

Illustrates how sports literature can be used in character education. Focuses on 10 ingredients for being a successful or "highly effective" person, and includes examples drawn from sports or sports literature. Discusses setting goals; proactive responses/positive thinking; a strong work ethic; a never-surrender attitude; physical and…

Discusses three award-winning novels for young adults that are very popular with school teachers: "The Giver" by Lois Lowry, "Out of the Dust" by Karen Hesse, and "Holes" by Louis Sachar. Examines the quality of plots, characters, and themes but also considers the artistry in details and emotional impact. Offers…