Discusses the role of young adult literature written from an authentic black cultural perspective in helping black young adults achieve the skills and knowledge they require to succeed in this society. Examples of relevant titles are given in the genres of realistic fiction, biography, autobiography, and folklore. (Contains 35 references.) (LRW)

Addresses the importance and features of Native American oral literature, discusses the heightened interest of publishers in producing books with Native American stories for children, and describes problems in many of these works. Issues of authenticity are discussed, and examples of nonfiction and fiction works that provide accurate information…

Describes five novels written by authors from Sierra Leone that English teachers might use in their classrooms. (HB)

Provides a transcript of an interview with young adult novelist Ruth White. Discusses White's methods of writing and publishing, her individual works of fiction, and the influences on her writing career. (HB)

Examines the biases that exist in American juvenile literature (K-10) dealing with Arabs to determine whether there is a negative bias in the portrayal of Palestinian Arabs. Bias is summarized under three main types: characterization and stereotyping; language and terminology; and cultural authenticity. (GLR)

Suggests that by analyzing the slang and the modifications of English used on computers today, teachers and students stand to learn more about standard English. Examines the literary origins from which many computer words are taken. Explains alternate spellings, acronyms, metaphors, and use of brand names. (TB)

This essay concerns feminist fiction by Doris Lessing, Margaret Drabble, Margaret Atwood, Margaret Laurence, and Toni Morrison that utilizes memory as a means to liberation and explores this at the level of narrative form. In examining 1970s feminist fiction and metafiction, explores the importance of memory at particular cultural moments. (AF)

Presents five ways elementary teachers can enrich their students' fiction writing abilities: teach students to incorporate their own experiences; encourage students to do research; give students chances to read and discuss fiction related to their writing; and help students recognize story elements. (SM)

Discusses poststructuralist theories and describes how they can be useful in explaining the phenomenon of children's gendered literature preferences. Offers insights into the complexities of gender and its connections with reading fiction. Discusses children's reading preferences in school, the publishing industry, the school curriculum, and…

Provides brief reviews of recently published fiction and nonfiction for children and adolescents about Hispanic peoples and cultures and remarks on their values and shortcomings. Lists 20 titles. (SLD)

This exploration of the two leading varieties of nonsense literature defines strict nonsense as that in which the laws of nature are suspended and replaced by new laws which the author decrees, and loose nonsense as usually comic writing about a singular unlikely event. Examples of these two types of verse in children's literature are cited. (22…

In a study of knowledge activation and sentence mapping, subjects read stories that described concrete actions, and then the content of the stories was manipulated (i.e. stories were written that implied different emotional states). It is suggested that the more emotionally evoking situations one encounters the more memory traces are stored and…

A member of the Caldecott Award committee reviews recommended children's books published in 1991. Annotations are provided for 13 historical novels for middle-graders and young adults and 47 picture books that focus on folklore and fairytales, human values, celebrations, and the environment. A bibliography is included. (EAM)

Annotated bibliography covers children's and adolescent fiction and nonfiction on the topic of adoption published since 1988. Brief content descriptions and indications of age appropriateness are given for 35 books. Books dealing with transracial adoption are starred. (KRN)

Describes the teaching strategies used in a university summer study trip to England to investigate British primary- and preprimary-education practices. Strategies include readings, meetings, questions, observations, journals, and a culminating project. Focuses on the strategy of searching for "Miss Read," the pen name of Dora Saint, an…