Discusses how two questionnaires helped a middle school teacher find out what strategies her students used to choose books and whether they were making successful choices. Presents teaching suggestions based on the results of the questionnaires. (SR)

Compares the characteristics of children's books that received critical acclaim from adults and were "Children's Choices" to books that received critical acclaim only. Finds that the stylistic and structural differences between the two groups of books are more apparent than variations in themes. (RS)

Investigates the process by which books become canonized in British and U.S. schools and universities. Uses the case of George Orwell to examine the institutional and historical factors which condition the inclusion and exclusion of writer's work in Anglo-American classrooms. (SR)

Asserts that supplementary reading materials may be used successfully in undergraduate and graduate psychology courses. Reviews research into books used frequently to supplement required textbooks in college-level courses. Provides five criteria for selecting books and describes procedures for using them. (CFR)

Offers brief descriptions of 47 recently published children's books that break different kinds of barriers and boundaries: geographic, cultural, familial, generational, historical, and literary. (SR)

Argues that multicultural education, if it is to be effective and meaningful, needs to be woven throughout the curriculum. Discusses 11 children's books that take into account the age and maturity level of students as they tell forthright stories of the victims, heroes, and just plain folks of the Holocaust, slavery, and the involuntary of…

Considers a number of young adult novels in light of how they cast female characters as potential role models to which late 20th-century adolescent readers can relate. Offers brief descriptions of 28 young adult books of historical fiction set in America with female protagonists. (SR)

Describes an interview with Patrice Kindl, describing her world, her writing process, and discussing her two novels for young adults, "Owl in Love" (1993) and "The Woman in the Wall" (1997). (SR)

Describes the Reading Is Fundamental, UK program. Argues for taking books to children and families in areas where there is little or no book culture. Notes that through free book distributions and accompanying high-quality motivation events, the program has shown that children who choose reading for pleasure are more likely to use reading for…

Describes 33 books that give children insight into living in the great Midwest and into westward expansion, including books by and about Laura Ingalls Wilder, on the nature of the prairie, famous figures of the Midwest, picture books, and novels. (SR)

Presents brief descriptions of 22 recently published books for children and adolescents that present untold stories that begin to fill in the gaps of mainstream versions of the past. Includes categories of historical fiction, historical nonfiction, biography/memoir, and poetry and verse. Discusses these books in tandem with numerous landmark…

Describes 19 children's books (published between 1196 and 1998), in categories of poetry, picture books, participation books, chapter books for older readers, and nonfiction. Discusses them in tandem with landmark books to reflect on social and historical contexts and to help teachers talk with children about the enduring images and changing…

Offers descriptions of 34 books for children and young adolescents (many of them illustrated books), in the following categories: books for the youngest readers; poems for young writers; books about the moon; books celebrating city life; books for older readers; and books of multicultural folktales. (SR)

Outlines questions for teachers to consider when selecting books which may be challenged. Looks at two different stories of challenges to multicultural education, regarding whether an "outsider" has the right to relate the stories of another culture. Advocates using a wide variety of sources and stories, offering examples on the topic of slavery.…

Looks at the characteristics of outstanding historical fiction including its literary qualities and criteria associated with authenticity. Discusses how teachers invite readers to approach their experiences with these novels. Looks at the role of historical fiction in today's classrooms. Presents brief annotations of 25 outstanding works of…