Marilyn Nelson's book, "A Wreath for Emmett Till", (2005) was named a 2006 Coretta Scott King Honor Book and given the 2006 Printz Honor Award. "A Wreath for Emmett Till" tells the story of a 14-year-old African American boy who was lynched in 1955. Within 15 sonnets accompanied by illustrations by Philippe Lardy, Nelson…

While the past issues of the "Journal of Children's Literature" have shared many professional resources that support thinking about international children's literature, the field is continually refreshed by new titles such as the ones described in this article. Each title offers a unique consideration of how literature might be used or how…

Discusses the author's experiences in controversial and non-controversial children's and adult literature. Describes how he developed and shaped a line of books for teenagers that would explore many kinds of edges/borderlines - from family to world, self to others, native to immigrant, familiar to forbidden. (SG)

Considers how literature can showcase the essence of relationships that enable and support characters as they develop voice, introspection, and the inner strength needed to transcend cultural and societal expectations. Presents a cluster (a group of novels, poetry, picture books, and nonfiction on the same theme) that provides readers with models…

Presents a conversation with picture book creator Emily Arnold McCully. Acknowledges her frequent focus on strong women in her picture books. Shares ideas about using history in her writing. (SG)

Presents a "conversation" with Penny Colman (adapted from her remarks at a panel discussion at a recent convention). Considers that nonfiction is dominated by male writers, especially for young adults and adults, and by true stories that feature boys and men. Discusses her exploration of the world of nonfiction by women. (SG)

Describes Ashley Bryan who is a scholar, a storyteller, a poet, an artist, an illustrator, a folklorist, and a humanitarian. Examines the layers of his work one at a time in order to hear the story of Ashley Bryan--through his own words and what others have written about him. (SG)

Presents an overview of critical theory to show how the method of Reader Response evolved. Discusses theories of reading and the reader; variations within reader response; and implementing reader response in literacy programs. Includes a brief response by Robert E. Probst. (RS)

Offers five "images" (personal recollections) of reader response in the life of the author/educator. Suggests that while each image offers insight into the nature of response, each still supports the need for initial personal connections to the text whether the ultimate goal is motivating readers, enhancing reading ability, or creating…

Notes that the author was struck by the "self-centered" readers she encountered in her classroom and at professional conferences--readers who respond to reading by thinking of their own life and experiences. Argues that reading is so much more than a trip into the self. Presents two brief responses, by Lauren L. Wohl and Daniel Hade. (RS)

Concludes that the author's study of the once-popular but now largely forgotten periodical "The Youth's Companion" shows how children's literature can call forth in readers a powerful response--a personal, literary, critical and active response that is shaped by a text's purpose, promise, positioning of readers, and the enduring passion it…

Highlights 10 multicultural children's books examined in a language arts methods class including both picture books and novels and varying topics about current and historical experiences faced by children from a wide variety of countries and cultures. (SG)

Notes how literature has a powerful role to play in fostering children's understanding of mathematical ideas. Discusses 19 books focusing on mathematics. Concludes that children's literature can help restore the story that has often been missing in traditional mathematics instruction. (SG)

Discusses how to bring up and discuss the issues of race and class. Explores how to approach, in the classroom, the idea of the white supremacists and the anti-white name-calling in the book "Maniac Magee" by Jerry Spinelli. Proposes that educators who are involved with children's literature must rethink how they read children's literature. (SG)

Examines the images, both negative and positive, of farm workers in 27 children's picture books. Offers strategies for critical reading. Surveys children's picture books in which a farm setting is integral to plot, character development, or theme. Includes only those books published within the last 10 years. (SG)