The question of the place of books in a classroom using computers appears to be simple, yet it is one of vital concern to teachers. The availability of programs (few of which focus on literary appreciation), the mesmerizing qualities of the computer, its distortion of time, the increasing power of computers over teacher time, and the computer's role in teaching basic literacy are all factors to consider. But literature in the classroom must survive. It is an essential balance to the influence of the computerization of the curriculum. The survival of literature in the schools requires teachers to become committed readers, to make time for reading in the classroom, and to promote literature throughout the faculty. A review of 146 children's books published in 1983 by American and Canadian publishers indicates that most were for the upper intermediate grades, and most were in the form of fiction, nonfiction, or picture books. Books that will appeal to the buying public include old favorites, traditional folk tales, humor, and those that provide new perspectives and self-discovery. Teachers will have to fight actively for the place of literature in the classroom by selecting only quality books and by making time to read an important issue in the school. (Several recommended children's titles are summarized, and a bibliography is included.) (HTH)