Describes the way one English teacher used a variety of stories to introduce students to the conventions of narrative fiction. Shows how students can be taught how great narrative artists manipulate the emotions of their audiences. (HB)

Reviews the works of some major Vietnamese American women writers who are concerned with the two dominant themes of Vietnamese literature written outside the homeland: exile and home. Rather than demonstrating a concern with great national issues, these authors write about ordinary life and the problems of the human heart. (SLD)

Discusses the historic derivation and the format and characteristics of traditional tall tales, and modern adaptations of these stories. Describes a selection of tall tales for modern young adult readers; notes titles and authors of original tall tales and those with female heroes. Discusses the enduring appeal of traditional and modern tall…

Examines differences between male and female young adult science-fiction authors. Reviews and compares works by men and women, arguing that in many ways women handle the material better than men, despite the fact that science fiction has been a "male-dominated preserve." (AEF)

Examines the messages transmitted to black girls through books for children and adolescents commonly introduced in school. Concludes that children's and adolescents' books do reflect a trickle-down effect of images of black females and poor white females that appear in adult books and films. (SLD)

Building on earlier content analysis research, this article provides three theoretical approaches to understand the evolution of young adult novels with gay/lesbian/queer content. It concludes by highlighting themes and patterns that suggest the progress that has been made and has yet to be made in the realistic portrayal of gay/lesbian/queer…

This interview with Kimberly Willis Holt, an author of young adult fiction who recently won the National Book Award for Young People's Literature, discusses her background, how she began her writing career, childhood influences, small-town life, and how she develops her characters. (LRW)

This selection of recent noteworthy books about Latinos offers children and young adults views of Latino cultures in the United States and abroad. Eleven books are described, including folk tales, histories for young people, and discussions of Latin-American art. (SLD)

Using a content analysis approach, this investigation systematically studies messages about HIV/AIDS contained in young adult novels and considers the effects of these messages as an information source for the reader. Young adults and young adult fiction are defined, and coding sheets and bibliographies are appended. (Author/LRW)

Investigates the current situation of the writer in the schools by talking with six eminent children's writers--three novelists, three poets--who visit schools in the United Kingdom. Suggests the need for writers and teachers to work more closely together before, during, and after contact with pupils. (SR)

Discusses how religion and fiction can be a troublesome blend in literature for young people. Notes that many writers have found it simpler to avoid spiritual issues altogether, to stay with the safe and secular. Describes that one solution a number of writers have grasped is to portray protagonists as learning to seek the answers within…

Considers how Frank O'Connor's "My Oedipus Complex" provides a good introduction to the subtleties of narrative voice and control. Concludes by considering the notion of control and its relation to the narrative point of view in O'Connor's story and how it bears directly upon the value of reading literature and the reader's role. (SG)

Focuses on the establishment of, changes in, and discussions that have taken place at the Virginia Hamilton Conference on Multicultural Literature for Youth, celebrating its 17th year of stimulating dialogue on children's books. The conference honors author Virginia Hamilton, winner of almost every major award in the field of children's…

Reflects on the value of supplementing the reading of print fiction with the viewing of film and video in the English curriculum. Discusses intertextuality, media convergence, and multiliteracies. Notes use of the film "The Matrix" to bridge popular and classroom cultures. Explores the use of popular cultural texts in the contemporary…

Features 10 new books for children; furnishes information about the stories and what type of book, i.e. picture books, novels, autobiographies, etc. Gives number of pages and prices. (PA)