The theme of the American Reading Forum's 1997 conference was "Finding Our Literacy Roots." Many papers in this proceedings address the theme directly, some emphasizing literacy roots and others the roots of literacy. Following the keynote session, "Phonics and Whole Word/Whole Language Controversies, 1948-1998: An Introductory History" (E. Jennifer Monaghan), papers in the proceedings are: "American Spelling Instruction: What History Tells Us" (Bob Schlagal and Woodrow Trathen); "Reaching Consensus on Standards for Adult Literacy Assessment: Finding Our Roots, Not Creating Ruts" (Eunice N. Askov); "1997 Contenders/Winners: Children's Book Awards in Five English-Speaking Countries" (Ira E. Aaron and Sylvia M. Hutchinson); "1997 Contenders/ Winners: Children's Book Awards in Five English-Speaking Countries: A Reaction and a Retrospective Appreciation for a Body of Work" (Nelly Hecker); "Finding Our Literacy Roots: Teachers' Storytelling Stories" (Reed R. Mottley and Richard Telfer); "Thinking about Learning: Progenitor and Progeny" (Marino C. Alvarez and Christopher M. Alvarez); "Like Father, Like Son" (Ray Wolpow); "A Literacy Root Begins with a Seed: Planting an Elementary Education/English for Speakers of Other Languages Teacher Preparation Program" (Valerie J. Bristor and Jane Brady Matanzo); "Urban College Developmental and High School English Teachers Working Together" (Chet Laine; Connie Robinson; Barbara Wallace); "Oral Language: The Roots of Writing in a College Developmental Classroom" (Michaeline Laine); "Student Perceptions of Literacy Gains from Internet Access and HTML Home Page Construction" (Ray Wolpow); "When Children Are Victims: Making the Case for Bibliotherapy" (Cindy Gillespie Hendricks and James E. Hendricks); "What Is a Concept of Literacy?" (Woodrow Trathen and Michael Dale); "Media Literacy: The Practice of Reading Popular Culture" (Donna Alvermann); "Defining Literacy: A Caution from a Critical Conscience" (Cheri Foster Triplett); "Literacy: A Socio-Cultural Perspective" (Gary Moorman and Woodrow Trathen); "Looking for Our Literacy Roots in All the Right Places" (Rick Erickson and Others); "Reaction to 'Looking for Our Literacy Roots in all the Right Places'" (Eunice N. Askov); and "Seeking Agreement in Literacy Beliefs" (Mona W. Matthews; Laurie Elish-Piper; Jerry L. Johns; Victoria Risko). Individual papers contain references. (NKA)