Presents an annotated bibliography of 44 children's books that draw attention to language sounds and so may be useful in facilitating the acquisition of phonemic awareness. Discusses criteria for selection and how to use the books in class. (SR)

Presents brief annotations of 41 new children's books organized into 6 groups that include travel memoirs, folktales, stories of cultures coming together, biographies of African American women of achievement, and books about unusual and fascinating careers. (SR)

Presents annotations of five documents in the ERIC database that discuss recreational reading programs. Presents two annotations of documents listing award-winning or favorably reviewed works of children's literature. (RS)

Describes three books which depict family structures in which children are parented by lesbians and gay males. Identifies the strengths and weaknesses of these books and suggests that teachers must seek out this type of book and then advocate that libraries purchase them. (SR)

Discusses the need for gifted and talented language arts programs that give examples of developmentally appropriate literature. (MG)

Reports on the representation of people of color in recent children's literature. Analyzes tradebooks, recommended reading lists, and classroom texts to show that there is still considerable work to be done to make truly multicultural literature available to children in their schools and homes. (MG)

Annotated bibliography covers children's and adolescent fiction and nonfiction on the topic of adoption published since 1988. Brief content descriptions and indications of age appropriateness are given for 35 books. Books dealing with transracial adoption are starred. (KRN)

Challenges the pervasive role that fiction has played in read-aloud programs and develops a rationale for including nonfiction. Includes a 20-item annotated bibliography of nonfiction read-alouds. (SR)

Presents brief descriptions and estimations of impact on middle school students of 23 illustrated books and chapter books. Notes that the books discuss a wide variety of issues important to middle school students. (RS)

Looks at three books for young adults by Brock Cole: "The Goats" (1987), "Celine" (1989), and "The Facts Speak for Themselves" (1997). Discusses common elements in these stories: young people who rise to the occasion; adults who often do not; characters readers can empathize with; an honest treatment of sexuality; and a wonderful use of humor. (SR)

Offers brief annotations of 21 picture books that address cultural diversity while offering language that supports beginning readers. Includes a chart noting which language features that support beginning readers are part of each book. (SR)

Offers brief descriptions of 16 books in English (published in 1997 and 1998) about Latino people and cultures. Arranges these noteworthy books into five broad areas: fiction, history, literature, poetry, and sociology. (SR)

Defends the practice of introducing elementary school children to stories dealing with complex social problems and issues. Claims schools should not be disconnected from children's everyday experiences, and teachers should not underestimate the capacity of children to understand and deal with this type of material. (NH)

Presents young adult literature as a solution to empower students and to make reading literacy attainable for middle and senior high school students who have not become fluent readers. Discusses the importance of accessing the student's own culture and outlines the criteria books should have to mirror the world of adolescents. (SC)

Describes an assignment useful in high school and college-level literature classes in which students choose a book (or other reading material) from among a group of works that fit the parameters of the course or unit and work in groups to prepare a presentation. Suggests these reading groups and self-selection of reading material encourages active…