Highlights numerous Hispanic fiction writers who are beginning to experience popularity. Describes Hispanic genre such as "magic realism" in which real action is tinged with dreamlike surrealism. Discusses Hispanic writers' experiences with small independent presses as well as major publishers. Expresses such concerns as patronization and the lack…

Presents an interview with Phyllis Reynolds Naylor, a prolific author of books for children, young adults, and adults. Her writing process, how reading influences her writing, and ideas for settings and characters are some of the topics covered. A selected list of 32 of her books is included. (EAM)

Suggests that creating, sharing, telling, and responding to stories fulfill many social, emotional, and psychological as well as intellectual needs. Suggests that investigating and communicating about young children's growing awareness of the world through fieldwork, map work, questioning and decision making underpins geographical activity. (RS)

Explores the "escape" genre of children's literature, and recommends and describes several books that deal with such topics as escape from prison camps, from slavery, from the Holocaust, from war, and from Utopian societies. These books should provoke meaningful classroom discussions and allow children to view their own world from different…

Presents a bibliography of notable children's books, best books for young adults, and recommended books for reluctant young adult readers compiled by the Association for Library Services to Children (ALSC) and the Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA). A total of 236 titles are listed. (EA)

Provides an overview of science fiction titles in print and discusses the value of science fiction as a literary form. Specific titles are included, and the need for formats designed for permanent preservation in libraries is discussed. (EAM)

Discusses the way Lynn Hall uses animals in her novels. Shows how her use of animals varies from background to the focus of the story, often as central object of the heroine's affection. Analyzes Hall's animal novels as archetypically romantic in pattern. (HB)

This edited version of an address to the Australian Children's Book Council focuses on developments in the interrelationships between children's literature and culture from a British perspective. Topics include conservative values; realist writers such as Anne Fine and Jacqueline Wilson; and an examination of Philip Pullman's fantasy…

Discussion of orphans in children's literature focuses on an analysis of 50 folktales from different cultures that reveals universal elements. A comparison of these patterns to "The Secret Garden" demonstrates how patterns found in orphan folktales were adapted and applied in children's fiction. (Author/LRW)

One of the most banned writers in America, Judy Blume, describes experiences--from her childhood and her adult life as a writer--with banned books and censorship. Includes an interview on her view of the state of intellectual freedom and an American Library Association brochure (number 2 in a series, 12 pages) on intellectual freedom. (AEF)

In discussing what makes for a challenging and supportive learning environment, this paper uses the fiction of J. K. Rowling as a literary vehicle for considering the role of educators and contemplating ideal context for learning. This literature can be used as a guide for educators to try and design a general curriculum where students have a…

Shows how a philosophical analysis of the moral value of information can help librarians rethink some aspects of their professional values, especially their commitment to neutrality. Discusses the historical background of allowing fiction into library collections; the impact of technology; the moral character of information; and information,…

Examines Kathy Acker's narrative methods, which are exemplary of postmodern feminism, as they concern gender differences and desire. Suggests that much theorizing about literary postmodernism has not considered the modalities of desire as they concern gender difference. (TB)

Suggests that modern realistic fiction for young readers is intensely moralistic and directive at the spoken and unspoken behest of the adults who write, select, and buy that literature. Discusses moral tales, early realistic fiction, modern realistic fiction, and choosing realistic fiction. (RS)

Offers an overview of what is "hot" in fiction for young Australians currently (year 2000) from the point of view of an Australian educator with a long history in children's literature. Introduces contemporary key authors and emergent trends. Describes briefly 26 recent popular Australian books of young adult fiction. (SR)