Presents an annotated bibliography of 12 interesting and exciting science fiction and fantasy books for adolescent readers. (KEH)

Proposes the use of fictional "techno-thrillers" such as "Red Storm Rising" in a seminar on the topic of war. Explains how these thrillers provide descriptions of how opposing strategies and armies might interact during a future war. Provides a course reading list. (NL)

Discusses how the aesthetic concerns of African Americans are reflected in the writing of Black women and introduces the characteristics of African culture as they relate to African-American culture. Emphasizes the intuitive musical quality of Black language as expressed in poetry and fiction. (FMW)

Provides a rationale for using fiction and drama to promote critical thinking. Presents a sample grid used to record answers to and interpretations of six questions which can be used in class discussion to bring out critical thinking dispositions, such as the ability to determine whether a generalization is warranted. (RS)

Suggests that teachers can introduce the cultural context of nineteenth-century British fiction by exploring four types of walks that women characters take: the mission of mercy; the passionate, secret journey; the problem-solving walk; and the defiant or self-assertive walk of independence. (MS)

Examines the moral orientations of 212 male and female characters in 50 works of fiction for school-aged children using a modified version of Lyon's coding scheme. Findings confirm sex role stereotypic characterizations that could influence development of moral decision-making. (FMW)

Relates the efforts of completing two collections of the works and papers of Mark Twain. Describes the combined efforts of the University of Iowa and the University of California to publish both a scholarly edition and a reader's edition devoted to Twain. (KO)

Looks at "The World of Tomorrow" (a 1984 documentary film of the 1939 New York World's Fair) as a gloss on the cultural tendency to sell the pleasures of technology while deferring questions about its nature. Notes that the film views the link between pleasure and technology that science fiction films variously exploit. (RS)

Presents research and learning activities that focus on basketball. Provides a list of suggested sources, including fiction, nonfiction, biography, periodicals, videocassettes, and encyclopedias and reference guides. (AEF)

Surveyed 37 Australian fictional works for young adults to determine how the main characters cope with health issues, and compared the findings with young people's real-life coping strategies. Results indicate that Australian authors present teenage readers with valuable insights into ways of dealing with abuse, illness, and sexuality. (AEF)

This article recounts a learning experience at the Kansas State School for the Deaf in which students invited an author of children's books about deaf children, Jean Andrews, to visit and participated with the author in developing her next book. Students also wrote their own books, and received feedback on them from Andrews. (DB)

Looks at implications of children meeting stories and storybook characters not only through books and videos but through anything from toys and games to pajamas. (RS)

Reviews the history of children's fiction series publishing, examines the childhood reading histories of adult readers who currently read for pleasure, and investigates the reading of series books as an essential stage in the reading development. Also discusses the need for public libraries to be aware of different patron reading levels. (contains…

Proposes using children's historical fiction in social studies instruction. Argues that such literature is helpful because (1) children begin to learn about social phenomena through narrative; (2) historical fiction encourages students to invest emotion, take sides, and ask questions; and (3) historical fiction can counter special interest groups'…

Reviews the advantages and disadvantages of several publishers' offerings of classic literature titles often purchased by libraries. Four hardcover choices and five paperback choices are compared in terms of price; authenticity of text, including introductory notes; and quality of production, including binding and type size. (LRW)