The author identified books most often selected among a sample of economically disadvantaged Black 8- to 12-year-old participants (N = 293) and investigated reasons participants offered for choosing specific books. Participants self-selected books at a book fair providing 412 books. The most commonly selected books supplied descriptive data.…

Authors Marsha M. Sprague and Kara K. Keeling propose a language arts curriculum that incorporates literature-based discussions to help adolescent girls deal constructively with difficult issues and develop their own authentic voices. To help put such a curriculum into action, this book offers the following resources: (1) A research base to frame…

The goal of this research was to assess children's beliefs about the reality status of storybook characters and events. In Experiment 1, 156 preschool age children heard realistic, fantastical, or religious stories, and their understanding of the reality status of the characters and events in the stories was assessed. Results revealed that…

Given the increase in the number of fictional women mathematicians and scientists on television and in the movies, educators who wish to incorporate pop culture into their classrooms need tools with which to evaluate these portrayals. In this article we summarize studies related to the impact of Hollywood representations on girls and then we…

During the past three years, the author has been exploring Grade 5 students' processes of reading and understanding contemporary picturebooks with Radical Change characteristics and metafictive devices, and examining how students use their knowledge of these characteristics and devices to create their own texts. "The Stinky Cheese Man and Other…

The relative absence of nonfiction in literature for young readers may have serious implications because nonfiction literacy matters. Nonfiction material is the crucible within which readers can gain the knowledge and skills that enable them to reach sound decisions in all arenas of life, avoid gullibility born of ignorance, and participate in an…

This book is intended (1) as a supplementary text in college courses in children's literature, (2) as a source of information for educators involved in curriculum development programs in the field of children's literature, (3) as a reference guide for schools and community libraries, and (4) as an aid to parents in guiding their children's…

The fiction of James Kelman is clearly not written in standard literary English. This paper examines some of the different ways in which the language of his novels and stories diverges from standard English, and discusses the extent to which these divergences contribute to his stated literary aims. It will be argued that Kelman in his fiction, is…

The human condition can be better understood by reading both fiction and nonfiction. (JH)

Concludes that "Good Housekeeping" magazine adheres to formula writing in fiction as most of the highest paying magazines do. (RB)

A look at utopian literature, 1888-1900, typifies the problems of approaching literature as a vehicle for American studies. The problems, however, do not excuse the greater fault of omitting literature altogether. (JH)

While analyzing humor is difficult, Henri Bergson's concept of comedy (a person acting like a machine) outlined in the classic essay, "Le Rire," in 1900, is probably too narrow a definition. Science fiction film, a genre which has evolved since the publication of Bergson's essay, has also speculated about man and society, often to…

This illustrated book for children tells a story about Pepito, a young boy who appreciates the value of diversity and the need for harmony in the world. Pepito was a peacemaker who liked to smile and to listen. He heard much about the United Nations and became enamored with the idea of making a speech before the Assembly. He wanted to tell the…

A study was conducted to investigate the relationship between understanding the setting and understanding the causal chain of a science fiction story. The 72 subjects, ranging in age from 16 to 54 and in educational level from high school seniors to those holding the doctoral degree, were divided into two groups that were labeled as sophisticated…

Presents a personalized account of what goes into the writing of a successful children's story. (RB)