The criteria used by children in deciding whether they would like to read a particular book are discussed as a means of providing guidance to adults choosing books for children. The criteria discussed include titles, covers and inside illustrations, information provided on back covers, physical dimensions and print size, and the author's…

Provides strategies for teaching literature, focusing on motivating activities, literature terminology, evaluative techniques, and independent work. Presents detailed activities designed to help children cope with problems and thus promote mental health. (RS)

Describes several books for middle and junior high school readers which are set in other countries. Asserts that by reading about the diversity of other people, students can extend their view of themselves. (MM)

Surveys some recent fiction which reflects both the diverse interests and varying reading abilities of 11-18 year olds. Presents brief reviews of 26 novels touching on themes such as family, first love, social issues, adventure, fantasy, and thrillers. (RS)

Suggests using children's literature to help stepchildren cope with their new family structure. Reviews the concept of bibliotherapy as it applies to stepchildren. Describes the types of books most appropriate for stepchildren, and provides an annotated bibliography of books that presents positive, yet realistic, portrayals of stepfamily life. (MM)

Describes several classic literature abridgements and retellings recommended by high school teachers for young adults. Provides title, publisher name and address, price, and a brief description of each book's content. (MM)

Presents feedback from 14 teenagers in response to the Young Adult Library Services's 1995 Best Books for Young Adults list. Offers recommendations for librarians who create book lists: respect teens and their books; beware the influence of reviews and an author's momentum; make two lists; use real criteria for selection; and listen to them. (JMV)

Offers a checklist for classroom teachers who need a quick and efficient method for reviewing and evaluating nonfiction tradebooks for teaching content area subjects. (SR)

In the Big Book Experience, a text is projected on a screen and read aloud to students. In adapting the technique for adult literacy students, choose literature relevant to adults that is well written, reflective of a wide range of experiences, diverse, representative of many genres, and enjoyable. Follow-up activities enhance learner interaction…

Discusses the ongoing debate about the role of literature in the freshman composition course. Claims that teachers of these courses individually determine the nature of each course. Shows that, for many decades, literature has not retained a secure place in freshman composition courses. (HB)

Discusses the debate about the use of literary works in freshman composition courses. Calls for more extensive research into the period of the 1950s and 1960s, with particular attention to the changes in composition instruction and the loss of literature from that curriculum. (HB)

Examines how nonfiction read-alouds can enrich elementary children's literacy learning experiences. Provides a rationale for the use of read-alouds, guidelines for selection, recommended formats for effective classroom presentation, and activities useful before, during, and after reading. (SR)

Provides reviews of 11 historical novels with a U.S. setting that secondary school teachers recommend for adolescent readers. (PRA)

Provides short descriptions of 25 books that offer adolescent readers colorful and appealing young characters. (SR)

Describes 60 winners and runners-up of major children's book awards from Australia, New Zealand, Canada, and Great Britain for 1992. (SR)