In this article, youth from diverse racial backgrounds describe the challenges they face in aspiring to excellence in underperforming schools. The research explored the perceptions of school inequality on the part of Latino, African American or immigrant, and Caucasian students in two central Minnesota communities. This study tapped the experience…

Anti-bullying experts employ trade books in dealing with contemporary issues facing young people, including bullying. At least three conceptual strands underpin the application of young adult literature (YAL) in such enterprises: (1) reliance on tested voices appealing to young readers; (2) the potential effect of quality YAL on literacy…

Goodlad's notion of "nurturing pedagogy" suggests that it is an educator's responsibility to provide an environment that encourages learning and values each student as "capable of learning"(Goodlad, n.d.) by accounting for student interests, their well being, and developmental levels. Not to be overlooked is the need to provide high-quality…

Children appear at schoolhouse doors with many challenges that interfere with their ability to learn All too often, multiple psychological impediments to learning are concentrated in restricted segments of the population, thereby magnifying the risk experienced by the most vulnerable children. This article describes a community school initiative…

Twelve adolescent novels with the theme of obesity were selected for critical analysis. The novels were assessed for readability and to determine the approach to overweight portrayed by writers. The books were also examined in light of the concept of lookism prejudice. Recommendations were offered to teachers and counselors for use of these books…

Teasing presents a challenge to adults working with the children involved. Teasing can range from a ritual of kidding that bonds people to a form of bullying. This article presents a process that can be used to help children understand how teasing can go away and how to prevent hurt feelings from friendly teasing. (Author/JDM)

This article highlights the myriad behavioral and adjustment problems that flow from negative self-perceptions about body image in children and adolescents. These negative beliefs are often exacerbated by peer harassment. (Author/MKA)

Compares Staub's perspective regarding development and encouragement of altruism with existing information about school bullying. Recommends suggestions for bullying intervention culled from research on the development of altruism. Reports that during bullying episodes, the degree to which a student is altruistic will predict whether that…