The courts, while acknowledging in theory that public schools should provide students with a wide range of reading materials, are ruling against this in practice. The rationale in the latest court cases lies in determining the hierarchy of power, but the result comes dangerously close to legitimating censorship. (Author/RL)

Discusses problems and techniques in the teaching of literature in the context of the teaching of foreign language and culture. (AM)

Offers lists of goals and criteria and refers to various approaches to the teaching of area/culture studies. Concludes that such studies have only an ancillary function in FL teaching, where the primary goal is achieving ability to communicate. (Text is in German.) (IFS/WGA)

Offers a progressive list of reading and popular culture selections that chronicles (interspersed with a personal narrative) the intellectual and social development of one culturally literate adult who is now a member of the academic community. (PA)

Presents an interview with award-winning author Karen Hesse, discussing her writing for children and young adults. Discusses how ideas for particular books arose, as well as the research and writing processes that went into them. Appends reviews of nine books by Karen Hesse. (SR)

Discusses 44 recently published poetry collections, noting ways teachers can help children deepen their enjoyment of poetry by helping them become aware of the subtle things poets do. Uses the concept of rhythm to organize the books, believing that rhythm gives poetry its feeling of movement. (SR)

Presents brief annotations of 99 newly published children's and young adults' trade books chosen by school children across the United States. Groups the books for beginning, young, intermediate, and advanced readers. Notes that the list is useful to educators, family members, and everyone who wishes young people to read for pleasure. (SR)

Presents annotations of 30 outstanding trade books published for children and adolescents selected by teachers for primary, intermediate, and advanced readers. Notes that annotations include bibliographic data, price information, and suggestions for curriculum use. (SG)

Explores the professional decision making of preservice elementary teachers regarding reasons given for selecting children's literature for classroom use. Finds that such decisions were influenced by concerns with how the literature could be employed in the classroom, the extent to which the teachers personally connected to the literature, and…

Discusses aspects of two qualitative studies that focused on: (1) children's interests in comics; and (2) reactions to a home-school comic lending library based in three classrooms over a period of seven weeks. Discusses results from both studies and implications for development of the primary school literacy curriculum. (BT)

Describes six basic formats that can be used to teach reading in the elementary classroom: shared reading, read-aloud, guided reading, Readers Theatre, sustained silent reading, and literature circles. Includes descriptions of the focus of instruction, suggestions for implementation strategies, and examples of materials that could be utilized.…

Explains that comprehension is a mental process that depends on prior knowledge, experience, and information in the text. Contends that fostering the development of children's comprehension abilities is one of the most critical roles of an effective teacher. Describes websites that provide information on comprehension as well as sites that provide…

Considers how author Brock Cole may be grim and controversial, but he "paints the world as it is; instead of using soft pastels, he whips out the bright, bold, and sometimes ugly hues." Discusses the relationship between the author and the reader, and the author and the teacher. Concludes that some may say that Cole pushes the limit, but he…

Discusses the development of infant and toddler board books (books printed on heavy cardboard and laminated for durability) featuring African Americans and published from 1990 to 2002. Provides a brief overview of the development of board books in general, and suggests criteria for evaluating board books that feature African Americans in…

Celebrates the power of literature and the joy it brings to readers' lives. Presents annotations of 30 children's books (most published in 2002 or 2003) that can be experienced orally, aurally, visually, dramatically, emotionally, and responsively. (SG)