During the past year, more than three dozen librarians working with teens in public, school, and college libraries have evaluated books published for the adult market with an eye toward identifying those that are worthy of teen reading as well. By examining more than 600 titles, this journal was able to select about 250 for review across the year.…

Heard any good books lately? Apparently, lots of people are listening. According to a survey conducted by the Audio Publishers Association, annual audiobook sales are now estimated at $923 million. Customers find books at libraries, retail stores, and through downloading, which is becoming the fastest-growing audiobook format. This article…

If we read to discover new worlds, we also read to find ourselves. For gays and lesbians, this act of discovery can be problematic: literature has so often excluded them. In the last decades, as gays and lesbians have grown increasingly vocal in the effort to secure their rightful place in society, a broad range of fiction has emerged that…

Everybody has a story to tell, but not everybody can tell it well, which it why some first novels jump to the best sellers lists and others fade away. This year's crop of successful first novelists come from all walks of life--there's journalist Vanora Bennett and historian Alison Weir, dance critic Anita Amirrezvani, and financial analyst manque…

Annotates recommended novels dealing with World War II. (RBW)

Describes the increase in production of horror books for teen audiences and compares horror books from a decade ago and today, including subject matter, covers, audiences, fright factors, illustrations, and changing character stereotypes. A sidebar includes an annotated bibliography of horror/thriller series for teens and preteens. (SLW)

Presents a 16-item annotated bibliography of adolescent novels published between 1990 and 1997 that feature characters with disabilities. Notes that each entry includes a description, the ages and disabilities of the main characters, recommendations for using the novel, and a rating. Includes selection criteria. (RS)

To encourage Spanish-speaking adolescents to read about other times, peoples, and places, we must expose them to books that will entertain them, captivate them, or inspire them. To do so, we should offer them a wide selection of historical novels that combine imagination with facts--integrated stories with fictional protagonists and suspenseful…

Although graphic novels are traditionally thought of as the domain of larger-than-life fantasies, for decades comics have also served as educational tools. One of the pioneers of American comic books, Will Eisner, worked for years creating instructional comics. Starting in 1941, the Classics Illustrated series introduced young readers to…

Reviews of adult literature that might appeal to adolescent and young adult readers. Includes two novels and two collections of short stories. (RBW)

Although Oscar Micheaux was not the first Black American filmmaker, he was undoubtedly the most prolific Black American movie producer. He is credited with making the first full-length, all-Black silent film produced by a Black company, as well as the first full-length, all-Black sound film. (Author/MC)

This annotated bibliography of Canadian literature for children lists 16 nonfiction titles, 11 picture books, and 10 novels. (EA)

Describes from an author's point-of-view the new genre of first novels, or chapter books, which are books with fewer pictures and more words than easy-to-reads and are divided into chapters. An annotated bibliography of 21 suggested titles is included. (LRW)

Published yearly and based on requests by adolescents, this document provides a list of approximately 1,250 books in the New York Library for teenagers; each source is followed by a brief description. New titles for 1995 are marked with an asterisk. Some of the subjects covered under five broad divisions (the creative spirit, science, here/now,…

Reviews eight new adult books of interest to high school readers. The books reviewed include two novels, an anthology of selections about cats, an autobiography by a physicist, and books about Patricia Hearst, the abdication of King Edward VIII of England, naive painting, and American astronauts. (GT)