Every year, the Rainbow Round Table Committee from the American Library Association (ALA) selects quality lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer/questioning, intersex, and asexual+ (LGBTQIA+) books for the ALA's Rainbow Book List. The committee evaluated approximately 450 titles published in the United States and Canada between July 1, 2020,…

The "Kids & Family Reading Report" is a national survey sharing the views of both kids and parents on reading books for fun and the influences that impact kids' reading frequency and attitudes toward reading. "The Rise of Read-Aloud" is one installment the Scholastic "Kids & Family Reading Report™: 7th…

The "Kids & Family Reading Report" is a national survey sharing the views of both kids and parents on reading books for fun and the influences that impact kids' reading frequency and attitudes toward reading. "Finding Their Story" is the second installment of the Scholastic "Kids & Family Reading Report™: 7th…

This report presents the 6th Edition of Scholastic's biannual study of children's and parents' attitudes and behaviors about reading. The latest research touches on: (1) Reading Books for Fun; (2) Reading Aloud; (3) Summer Reading; and (4) Favorite Children's Books. This research provides both reasons to celebrate as well as a strong motivation to…

With the 2008 reissue of Francine Pascal's (1983) "Sweet Valley High", the popular cultural icons of twins Jessica and Elizabeth have been revitalized. Jessica and Elizabeth are the much-beloved protagonists in romance novels strategically targeted for young adults in "Sweet Valley High" or "Sweet Valley U", and for first- and second-grade readers…

Argues that adolescent females need role models who successfully meet the challenges of taking care of themselves. Discusses 12 books for adolescent readers, written by Lynn Hall, Vera and Bill Cleaver, and Cynthia Voigt, which portray young women as independent, self-reliant people with inner strength and the ability to make decisions and solve…

Argues that, in Ethel May, Charlotte Yonge had, altogether unwittingly, created a new kind of heroine; one whose faults were real and who in the curing of them remained altogether herself. (HOD)

Argues that realistic adolescent fiction is necessary so that teens will know they are not alone in their experiences, but that literature offering positive parenting and family models is also needed. Twenty-four books encompassing both genres are briefly reviewed. (CLB)

Discusses a number of "spunky" girls in adolescent and children's literature. Explains the importance of young people having such characters as models. (FL)

Shares the authors' criteria for evaluating female characters as positive role models in children's literature. Explores the criteria by examining "The Ballad of Lucy Wipple" (Karen Cushman). Discusses other recently published picture books and novels which feature strong females in history, in contemporary times, and in fantasy. (SR)

Discusses two books, "The Young Unicorns" (M. L'Engle) and "M.C. Higgins, The Great" (V. Hamilton), that give honest portrayals of life. Suggests each will stimulate preadolescents to examine their own lives. (ARH)

This volume on "Scientists and Inventors" was created to appeal to young readers in a format they can enjoy reading and can readily understand. Each volume contains alphabetically arranged sketches of outstanding people. Each entry provides at least one picture of the individual profiled, and bold-faced rubrics lead the reader to…

Examines one secondary school's literature curriculum and provides a description of the range of mother figures to be found in young adult literature. Suggests some possible reasons for the scarcity of positive mother figures, and calls for change. (TB)

Reviews six books that present role models for American Indian youth struggling to cope with living in both the modern and traditional world: "Ishi, Last of His Tribe" (Theodora Kroeber); "When the Legends Die" (Hal Borland); "The Talking Earth" (Jean George); "Cloudwalker (Joel Monture); "Forbidden…