Presents the origins of action books, selection guidelines for use in the classroom, advantages and limitations, and an annotated list of science and social studies action books. (MM)

Examines 773 elementary-age children's choices of hard- and paper-backed trade books to determine cover preference. Reveals that paperbacks were preferred. Notes that children's reasons for selecting books did not significantly differ by sex, race, grade level, or any combinations. (RAE)

Wrestles with the questions of how teachers might understand and respond to the risk of exposing children to graphic historical narratives. Focuses on picture books and novels intended to help children remember, understand, and confront the implications of the Nazi genocide of European Jewry and the use of nuclear weapons on the people of…

Discusses ways to help motivate reluctant readers. Topics include early reading experiences of aliterate readers; the value of reading-related activities like book clubs and reading clubs; other activities that motivate and/or discourage readers; the role of parents, teachers, and librarians; and narrowing choices to make book selection easier.…

Addresses social and cultural changes of reading in Russia: (1) changes in cultural hierarchy; (2) changes in reader behavior; (3) declining importance of classic literature; and (4) rise of mass culture and its effects. Tables present information on the genre of books that were best sellers and books borrowed from Russian libraries. (JMV)

Seventeen prominent educators recommend favorite works they think all teachers should read, explaining why. The books range from science fiction to morality to Ghandi. Several are newly published, some are classics. The article concludes with a list of the recommended titles, including publishers, suggested list prices, and phone numbers for…

Shares reflections on what makes a book memorable, from teachers of all levels gathered at a "literacy club" luncheon. Discusses implications for teaching. Appends a list of 65 trade books, children's books, young adult books, poetry books, and professional books chosen as memorable by attendees at the luncheon. (SR)

Urges English for academic purposes programs to devise more holistic, task- and text-specific, strategy-oriented approaches for reading instruction. Recommendations are given for selecting reading materials, defining criterion tasks, and providing strategy instruction in reading strategies. The promotion of learner independence and use of content…

Discusses how educators can deal with children from single-parent families and explains why single parents should be included in every dimension of the classroom family. (MG)

Reviews 38 recently published children's books in the categories of music, opera and dance, theater and film, the visual arts, architecture, crafts, and language. Offers a 105-item bibliography of books for a science curriculum to add to those reviewed in the December 1991 column. (MG)

Discusses the role of readers' advisors in public libraries based on readers' responses to open-ended, qualitative interviews on reading for pleasure. Topics discussed include how books help people, how readers choose books, what they like and dislike about fiction collections in libraries, and how libraries and librarians can be more helpful to…

Reviews 13 professional materials that explore the uses of expository texts and informational materials designed to be used with elementary and middle school students in the classroom. Discusses a book that provides a whole-language perspective on language learning and teaching. (MG)

Discusses key points for children's librarians to consider in selecting books, preparing questions, and facilitating communication for book discussions. Highlights include choosing discussable books; ambiguous endings; factual, interpretive, and evaluative questions; helping readers talk; and benefits. Sidebars include a book discussion sampler,…

Emphasizes that library media specialists, teachers, and administrators must create required reading lists that focus attention on girls' developmental needs. Gives one school's list as an example. Discusses the uses of literature; literary models; examples from literature; and suggested additions to a reading list. (AEF)

Argues that young adult literature can play a significant role in the emotional and mental health of an adolescent as well as help young males become more literate. Offers a 19-item annotated list of young adult novels with male protagonists, sorted by themes: nature and adventure stories, sports stories, genre stories, historical stories, and…