"Kappan" editors recommend Michael Ignatieff's biography of Isaiah Berlin and insightful novels by Barbara Kingsolver, Pat Conroy, Wally Lamb, Edwidge Danticat, and Doris Lessing. Neil Postman's "The End of Education" (1995) advocates exploiting diversity to define standards. Ernest House's "Schools for Sale" (1998)…

From an amusing introduction to the human body, to adaptations of some of the world's best-loved literature, to exquisite art books and biographies, to poignantly honest fiction, the recently published books in this annotated bibliography will appeal to Spanish-speaking adolescents (or those who wish to practice their Spanish). (Author)

Chronicles the variety of means with which the novelist Michael Crichton has attempted to give his works the appearance of nonfiction. Specific and successful techniques utilized in "Eaters of the Dead" are noted, and the resulting erroneous classifications by the Library of Congress and subsequent catalogers are discussed. (Author)

Examines the extent of change over a one-year period in the adult fiction titles most widely held by over 4000 OCLC Online Computer Library Center, Inc. member public libraries. Findings indicate the most widely held titles are popular works that form a stable core from one year to the next. (Author/AEF)

Discusses the use of young adult and children's books about Hispanic Americans as a part of multicultural education in middle school classrooms. Considers interdisciplinary learning activities to explore the history of Hispanic experience in the Americas, and recommends works of fiction, nonfiction, poetry, and anthologies for classroom use. (JPB)

A heuristic study of the methodology used in a civic behavior study examined how data from literary and historical subjects were merged with live interviews, a triangulation that produced rich insights. Suggestions for incorporating nontraditional data sources include considering selection issues and process, media choice, depth, context, and…

Analyzes author Terry McMillan's conception of aesethics and offers practical suggestions for the teaching of "Ma Dear" and "Quilting on the Rebound" to English-as-a-foreign-language students at the postsecondary level. (Author/VWL)

Describes the ongoing work of a teacher whose Summer Institute for Drama/Teacher Education at the University of Tennessee provides training for both theater and classroom teachers. Focuses on her teaching method--improvisational drama--which simultaneously addresses elements common to fiction and script writing, and now contained in the language…

Describes a fun outdoor assignment whereby secondary school students form into groups of four or five and learn about the importance of narrative setting by drawing on sidewalks with chalk. Reviews the five basic elements of setting: temporal, geographical, cultural, historical, and environmental. (TB)

Presents an autobiographical sketch of a science fiction writer's relationship with the Information Technology revolution, from the Commodore PET to Microsoft 2000: a creator of imaginary futures privileged to observe an "imaginary future" in the act of becoming present reality. Touches on the nature of narrative and technology, the changing…

Outlines the features of "pulpstyle" and its continuing influence on later science fiction. Considers some science fiction texts that explicitly address language issues. These ideas are related to practical techniques of using science fiction in the language classroom. (Author/VWL)

Presents an annotated list of 44 young adult books that represent the wide range of young adult literature available for teens. Represents a variety of genres from poetry to science fiction/fantasy to historical fiction and story collections. Lists the 2002 winners for six major awards. (SG)

Contains 130 reviews of works of interest to the multi-cultural educator or anyone interested in cultural awareness arranged under broad subject categories of humanities, biography, history, social sciences, reference, juvenile works, and nonprint materials. Includes fiction and nonfiction. (SLD)

Proposes a strategy for reading Asian American texts written for audiences whose political and aesthetic expectations differed substantially from those of contemporary Western readers. Uses three stories by Sui Sin Far, written between 1908 and 1910, to illustrate the process and tell much about race relations early in the century. (SLD)

Examines the child protagonists of "The Ear, the Eye, and the Arm" as they move within their own culture. Concludes that what could be a novel of understanding and acceptance turns out to be a terrific adventure story, but rather typical in that any culture that is not the protagonist's own is dangerous and inferior. (SG)