Presents 27 book talks suitable for elementary school children through adults. For each book, appropriate age/grade level is noted and a ranking is assigned for popularity and quality. Book talks for both fiction and nonfiction works are included. (27 references) (LAE)

Discusses how science fiction can be used as a part of the reading for students who may not like reading and writing. Details a course for at-risk students involving an independent reading project, an original short story, a group movie project, and a daily journal. (PRA)

The concept of intertextuality refutes the possibility of "direct" (unmediated) experience. Educators can guide student interpretation of outdoor and nature-related experiences by assigning readings relevant to postmodern life. One frequently assigned text fosters inappropriate romantic environmental attitudes. Recommends works of…

Personal event and fictional narratives are compared across 36 normal children in 2 language-ability (one high, one low) groups using episodic analysis. Findings suggest that narrative structures for personal event narratives and fictional stories may follow different developmental paths, and that differences in productive language abilities…

Explores power relationships between teacher and participants in an inservice course as the tutor attempts to shift responsibility away from a teacher and toward the learners. Sees episodes of silence during the reflective discussions as particularly significant in the dynamic and changing awareness. Uses fictional writing to express feelings,…

The Literature Learning Project at the English Studies Department, Institute of Education in Singapore is described. It focuses on determining how well lower-level students cope with their literature texts and also tests the hierarchical properties of Hillocks' taxonomy of skills in reading and interpreting fiction. (18 references) (LB)

Provides three responses from reading professionals concerning a question about students who cannot relate story ideas after reading. Suggests determining the students' reading interests to help them find books which they will find more enjoyable. (MG)

Includes reprints of four articles published in "Library Journal" from 1894-1963: (1) "The Distinctive Value of Books" (Lester Asheim); (2) "The Changing Role of the University Library" (Ralph E. Ellsworth); (3) "It Is a Mistake to Recruit Men" (Ralph Munn); and (4) "Is It Best for Libraries to Buy…

Uses a fictional account of the Stono Uprising of slaves in South Carolina in 1739 to illustrate to students the dynamic relationship between literature and history. Provides a historical synopsis of the Uprising, points to think about while reading the account, and the story itself. (DSK)

A writing instructor describes her experience teaching 15 San Quentin Prison inmates how to write fiction, revise their work, and submit it for publication. Inmates were polite, demanded advice on mechanics, and avoided writing about reasons for life sentences. Insights later emerged in stories. (MLH)

Recommends a list of ERIC documents and journals covering topics such as justifications for using historical fiction, African-American history and culture, Native Americans, the Civil War, and the Holocaust. Includes units, lists of novels, and other teaching resources that range from the elementary to the secondary grades. (CMK)

Challenging the common image of reading as a solitary activity, this article describes the social settings in which young people participated in the print culture of a late 19th-century small midwestern town. Analysis of library borrowing records shows that both adults and youth read "low" fiction, shared titles, and engaged in a common culture,…

Discusses booktalks as a method of promoting reading among middle school students and suggests titles in the areas of fantasies, mysteries, contemporary fiction, outdoor/adventure fiction, historical fiction, and humorous fiction. A Web site is given that includes complete bibliographic information and additional titles. (LRW)

Presents a bibliography of sources to help children understand slavery and the Underground Railroad and recommends a combination of fiction and nonfiction for a better understanding. Includes picture books, biographies of people who played prominent roles during the time of slavery, nonfiction books for older readers, and videotape. (LRW)

Presents annotations of 147 anthologies and works of fiction, poetry, drama, autobiography, and criticism on Native American literature (published between 1994 and 1996). Includes annotations of life histories, biographies, essays, and interviews. (RS)