Considers what educators can do in the classroom to foster openness to other cultures, religions, and ways of being. Notes that as a teacher in an international school, the author perhaps faces challenges and opportunities different from teachers in typical American secondary schools. Concludes that the strategies used to teach literature in his…

Believes that students must be able to make a basic connection to the collective humanity. Notes that teenagers especially care about injustice and through exploring the global picture of human rights violations, they become aware and have desire to act on that awareness. Uses the humanistic approach to make 16th- to 20th-century British…

Describes the designing of a parallel curriculum for ninth graders who are required to take both World Literature and World Cultures. Concludes that there are opportunities for both students and teachers to connect to the cultures of the world and better understand the people and their literature. (SG)

Considers ways to successfully create an online community. Suggests that one way to engage students and encourage them to want to take responsibility and ownership for their learning is to construct a learning environment that places their ideas at the center of the learning process, not the completion of the course assignments. (SG)

Presents resources for finding young adult (YA) reading material. Lists and describes 19 websites and mentions several print resources. Annotates 11 new or overlooked YA books worth reading. (SG)

Argues that it is time to legitimize the whole of literature for students and reject without qualms the presumption that certain books are more fit to be read than others. Argues that educators deny students gems by proffering them a list of great works, and that this "bulldozing mentality" damages an already fragile acceptance of reading. (SR)

Illustrates ways in which becoming a reader of young adult literature enriched the author's life by making her a better teacher, allowing more connections to students, increasing student involvement, broadening her view of literature in general, connecting her with a rich network of professionals, and putting her back in touch with a part of…

Presents brief responses from six educators describing the best young adult novel they have ever read, and why they chose that book. (SR)

Presents an essay by renowned author of young adult literature Robert Cormier, musing on the autobiographical aspects of his own writings as well as writing in the guise of people or about situations to which he is a complete stranger. (SR)

Argues that "love of reading" should be listed as the top goal of the English curriculum, but that teaching the classics has the opposite effect. Argues that reading and analytical skills can be taught using contemporary teenage fiction that holds students' interest, helps them feel understood, and teaches them about life. Lists numerous books…

Discusses three award-winning novels for young adults that are very popular with school teachers: "The Giver" by Lois Lowry, "Out of the Dust" by Karen Hesse, and "Holes" by Louis Sachar. Examines the quality of plots, characters, and themes but also considers the artistry in details and emotional impact. Offers suggestions for teaching these…

Argues that English teachers should remember that nonfiction is the preferred reading choice of many of their students, and can be a "good read" and have superb aesthetic qualities. Offers guidelines to help educators design strategies to elicit student responses about nonfiction in the classroom. Describes 25 recently published outstanding…

Argues that the young adult novel "Shabanu" by Suzanne Fisher Staples is a book that can capture students' interest, allow them to experience a strong female protagonist, address social issues around the roles of women, and provide teachers with a rich resource for discussing and cultivating positive views toward women. (SR)

Discusses "Smoke Signals" (a 1998 award-winning film) and "The Owl's Song" (a 1974 novel), both of which feature young adult American Indian protagonists. Suggests instructional strategies for teaching these works in tandem. Argues that teaching these works informs students about relevant literary, historical, social, and cultural topics in ways…

Discusses five books for young adults by author Yoshiko Uchida. Notes that these books, accessible to children in grades 5 and above, describe the prejudice against Japanese Americans, internment camps, and upheaval, sorrow, and anger spawned by the American government's racist actions. Shows how the books can prompt discussions about cultural…