Considers the importance of vocabulary to writers (the author is one), to teachers (the author was one), and teenagers. Reminds us that literacy and abundant vocabulary are important for practical as well as aesthetic reasons: survival regularly depends upon communicating with strangers. Suggests ways in which teachers can improve their students'…

The purpose of this paper is to introduce the work of Hungarian literary critic and philosopher Georg Lukacs to teachers of children's literature. The first half of the paper explores the key ideas in Lukacs's literary theory, including "speciality"--an aspect of reality that falls between the extremes of individuality and universality;…

Argues that literature by Caribbean women writers of the 20th century offers two-year college students models for surmounting obstacles, resisting oppression, and holding life in fragile equilibrium. Discusses various Caribbean women authors and the influences upon them. Describes numerous ways that specific Caribbean works could be used in the…

Argues that Jane Austen's unpublished juvenile work "The History of England" has considerable relevance to twentieth-century high-school English classrooms. Notes that the work humorously shows the gender bias of traditional history texts because it is a "woman-centered" rewriting. (RS)

This paper offers 9 teaching questions to be used with Stephen Manes', "The Obnoxious Jerks," a humorous novel in which students challenge school rules in high school. The paper also provides a brief description of the novel, a biographical sketch of the author, and a selected bibliography of 21 related works. (PRA)

Offers suggestions for putting S. Plath's poem "Daddy" together with its context, canon, and composition to effectively introduce students to Plath's intelligence and aesthetic energy. (AEA)

Presents an appreciation of "Charlotte's Web," a children's literary classic which portrays clearly and simply the themes of love, death, friendship, and salvation. Discusses E.B. White's life and background, his attention to writing style, and the beginnings of "Charlotte's Web." Provides a capsule of classic elements in the…

Suggests using Henry David Thoreau's "Walden" as a rhetorical exemplum in literature instruction. Calls upon instructors to identify Thoreau's writing purposes and intended audience. Suggests that students can explore the book's varied writing styles and narrative personae. Encourages analysis of the book's ethical, rational,…

States that helping young adult readers to reach maturity, and learn to speak, think, and act for themselves, has been Paul Zindel's major concern throughout his literary career. Discusses his "Pigman" trilogy, published between 1968 and 1991, and how these books resonate with young people. Lists classic elements in "Pigman";…

Argues that the best journalistic prose has a claim to literature. Observes that some leading literary figures started as journalists. Identifies authors whose use of symbolic detail, interposition of narrative voice, and sensory description are particularly notable. Suggests that the challenge of teachers and students is to dare to employ similar…

Describes the life and work of Rebecca Caudill, an author of young adult and children's literature, and discusses how she captures major characteristics of Appalachian culture. Examines four young adult novels: (1) "Tree of Freedom"; (2) "The Far-Off Land"; (3) "Barrie and Daughter"; and (4) "Susan Cornish."…

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…

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…

Both student and adult writers need to learn how to imagine clear and full contexts for their writing. These contexts include awareness of audience, knowledge of purpose, and creation of the proper voice befitting the purpose and audience. The critical necessity of these three elements in writing can be taught and learned most effectively through…

States that reading Scott O'Dell's popular juvenile book, "The Island of the Blue Dolphins," can increase high school students' comprehension and appreciation of Herman Melville's "The Encantadas," as both works are fictional treatments of the same historic event. (MM)