Describes how the author was shaped by his reading experiences as a boy and young man. Suggests some of the values literature holds for individuals in various circumstances and urges that teachers work to match books to individual students and their needs and interests. (TJ)

Suggests that librarians have a great deal to offer in the field of adult education given their traditional reader's role and training in information services. Author believes this valuable resource of librarians should be made known to adults and adult educators. (JD)

Describes Stein and Glenn's research on story grammar and suggests classroom uses of the grammar. (SS)

Investigates the syntactic complexity and vocabulary diversity of books recommended by authorities to be read aloud to children and of "grocery store" books. (DD)

Presents 69 brief annotated bibliographies of books (published between 1978 and 1996) on the subject of basketball, available for young adults. Includes autobiography and biography, fiction, nonfiction, poetry, and reference. (SR)

Presents brief annotations of 19 children's picture books and 9 chapter books considered by the authors to be too wonderful to miss. (SR)

Notes that whole volumes have been written on how to use nonfiction literature to teach reading and writing. Emphasizes three areas where science books especially shine: storytelling, organization, and voice. Discusses advantages of science books. (SG)

Discusses many ideas the author has regarding the literature canon including what he thinks should be taught and for what reasons. Makes a case for the classroom contexts that allow students to develop into confident, enthusiastic, and responsible readers of canonical poetry. (SG)

Notes that diverse characters in children's literature have been used for many years to introduce children to a variety of cultures. Explains that using characters in literature is also a strategy that is available to introduce children in a classroom to their peers who have disabilities. Explores how such books can be analyzed and what educators…

Presents brief annotations of 44 children's books, organized in five groupings: Creatures and Characters, Time Periods, Curricular Connections, Cultures, and Nonsense and Such. (SR)

Considers how Jacqueline Woodson has become acclaimed as an outstanding author of children's literature for youths from elementary through high school, even though she began her writing career as an author of short stories for adults. Discusses four of her books. (SG)

Shares with beginning teachers advice about choosing a short story anthology and shows how a text can shape an instructor's approach to teaching short fiction. Discusses three main considerations: the students; the teacher; and the text. Identifies the author's favorite anthology and outlines nine reasons why it is a favorite. Lists five…

Identifies seven types of alphabet books: letter shapes, word play, art play, topical/thematic, multicultural, narrative, and puzzles. Presents annotations of around 30 titles. Suggests that alphabet books are not intended just for the emergent reader--there is a wide range of ABC books with intriguing stories, captivating illustrations, playful…

Presents four educators' recommendations of fantasy literature for high school and middle school students. Gives reasons for each selection and suggests points on which to focus. (SG)

Presents 100 short stories listed in order of the frequency of their appearance in college literature anthologies--thus a possible canon. Offers commentary on a few of the stories high on the list, focusing on their teachability. (SG)