Presents an interview with Amy Tan. Reveals how she became a writer and discusses her views on teachers of writing, about the book "The Joy Luck Club," about autobiography and fiction, and about writing and rewriting or the creative process itself. (NH)

Examines vocatives and theme in Japanese discourse. Based on examples taken from comics, romance novels, and fiction, argues that vocative and thematic strategies are pragmatically motivated in a similar manner, and they both convey the speaker's varying emotional expressivity toward participants and characters relevant in discourse. (Author/VWL)

Describes a variety of books that offer fictional and poetic landscapes--five historical novels set in disparate locales, a book set in medieval Denmark, another addressing the landscape of memory, and a novel about a poet-scientist. (SR)

States that throughout history, words have been used to signify power, to attribute power, and to disempower. Examines examples of word power in several pieces of children's fiction. Concludes that in the 1980s, children's writers addressed the question of the power of language, and its ability to create worlds within worlds. (PA)

Suggests that a way out of the current malaise of American education may be to locate educational excellence in accessible American fiction. Discusses Frances Gray Patton's "Good Morning, Miss Dove," in which the central character is an elementary school geography teacher. (RS)

Suggests that stories serve as a singularly effective replacement for direct experience, a useful but sometimes difficult environmental education technique. Argues that the effectiveness of stories is derived from their ability to engage the attention of the reader. Lists elements that can be used to create cognitively engaging stories. Contains…

Presents an interview with Chris Crutcher, writer for teens and winner of this year's Margaret A. Edwards Award. Discusses his childhood; reasons for writing about teenagers; his views on exposing adolescents to difficult subjects; insights from his experiences as a child and family therapist; role of humor; and reader responses to his stories.…

Explores the body of detective fiction written by Latino authors in English, a relatively new genre. These novels contribute to the understanding of cultural diversity and present Latino attitudes in the guise of entertainment (SLD)

Notes that children's perceptions of other cultures are formed, at least in part, by the books they read; yet the potential of children's literature in the United Kingdom as a site for international cultural exchange is limited by a lack of translations and a historical resistance in Britain toward the languages of the European continent. (SG)

At least once a year, teachers generally request a historical fiction assignment. Bare facts make dry reading but historical fiction, set in an actual time period with plausible dialogue and credible characters, is more palatable to youngsters. This column discusses the most widely-requested historical periods of study for intermediate and upper…

This article, discusses the rationale for using films, specifically docudramas, for teaching social studies and presents guidelines and resources for helping teachers to do so. Included are several Web resources that assist teachers in the selection and use of specific films to complement classroom instruction. The author has also incorporated the…

Audiobooks have become a mainstay of the classroom for many teachers. Studies have demonstrated that they are not only effective tools for helping all children become more literate, but they also provide an enjoyable and simple way to introduce children to books they might not otherwise read. Audiobooks have also proven to be effective when…

Even as a child, Pearsall questioned social injustice and prejudice. In her own community in Ohio and, as she grew, all over the world, she saw social inequities she could neither understand nor accept. Her novel "Trouble Don't Last," takes place during the era of the Underground Railroad. The chapter included here pulls us in…

As a former elementary library media specialist now in a new middle school library media center, it was frustrating for the author to not have enough time to assist students and discouraging to see the apathy that so many of the students displayed toward books and reading. Middle schoolers are busy with social activities, sports, and schoolwork.…

The telling of lies is significant in fiction written for children, and is often (though not in all cases) performed by child protagonists. Lying can be examined from at least three perspectives: philosophical, moral and aesthetic. The moral and the aesthetic are the most significant for children's literature. Morality has been subtly dealt with…