Discusses stereotypes of prevalent social attitudes in juvenile historical fiction. Examples of stereotyping of Blacks and native Americans in several well-known children's books are described. (MES)

Argues that students of all ages respond to the mystery, possibility, and adventure of science fiction and fantasy and should not be discouraged from reading in these genres under the pretense that they are "less grown up" than more "realistic" genres. Reviews a number of good science fiction books published from 1994-95. (TB)

Describes the increase in production of horror books for teen audiences and compares horror books from a decade ago and today, including subject matter, covers, audiences, fright factors, illustrations, and changing character stereotypes. A sidebar includes an annotated bibliography of horror/thriller series for teens and preteens. (SLW)

Recounts an interview with author Madeleine L'Engle. Includes her views on who comprises the audience for her books. Explores "Many Waters,""A Wrinkle in Time,""A Swiftly Tilting Planet," and other L'Engle works. (SG)

This response to the commentary on the research reported in this monograph discusses children's understanding of pretending adults' attitudes to pretend situations; the effect of the distinction between fictional and instructional texts on interpreting children's understanding of pretense, when pretense comprehension is seen as analogous to text…

Provides a sampling of new writers and titles that are representative of "nineties publishing" for young adults. Themes include the rebellious sixties; family life and racism; urban teens and father/son conflicts; adventure and sports stories; African-American experiences; sexual abuse; and homosexual parents. (AEF)

Reviews "The Silk Code" (novel by Paul Levinson, Professor of Communications, New York University) that encourages questions about how to choose and use the full range of technology; and compares and applies its ideas to current practices in educational technology. Topics include divergent views in educational theory; and examples of the…

Examines the issues in adjudicating disputes between critics and experts over quality in children's literature. Finds that critics look for the best work, and popularity is irrelevant to them, while the "expert" looks for books that define the time that the expert lives in. Explores one critic/expert debate over Katharine Tozer's…

As readers experience narratives, they have ample opportunities to generate expectations about likely outcomes. We suggest that past research on such expectations has ignored the extent to which readers bring their own preferences to bear on those outcomes. In four experiments, we demonstrate that reader preferences can influence expectations for…

Mystery and Adventure travel the same path. Within every mystery is an adventure, be it a struggle for survival, network of suspense, or matching of wits. A mystery is a secret jigsaw puzzle. Its popularity lies in the author's skillful engagement of the reader in putting together the pieces by using such elements as clues, foreshadowing, and…

Fantasy and science fiction are two genres that are products of imagination. Both present alternate worlds governed by their own laws and values, but it is the plausibility of events in each world that sets the two apart. In fantasy, events happen by magic or inexplicable means. In science fiction, events could happen based on advanced…

In this article, the author, Roger Soder, discusses past books he has read throughout the year on his own and with his book club. He also makes suggestions for summer reading selections. He thanks valued and nearby colleagues and friends for blessing him with books of great wisdom throughout the year.

In this article, the author presents a listing of 10 novels about well-known artists. These novels provide unique views of not only the artists, but also of the times, places, and cultures in which they lived. These novels provide a quality reading experience for the art student and others.

Of prime importance in real estate, location is also a key element in the appeal of romances. Popular geographic settings and historical periods sell, unpopular ones do not--not always with a logical explanation, as the author discovered when she conducted a survey on this topic last year. (Why, for example, are the French Revolution and the…

Dark is the word often used to describe the subject matter of Carolyn Coman's novels. Edgy, harrowing, gritty and difficult are other adjectives that reviewers and readers--and Coman herself--have used in reference to the topics undertaken by this esteemed writer of young-adult fiction. This past July, while both were teaching at the Writers…