Designed to be used with a wide variety of literature selections in classroom settings, the activities in this book are open-ended, encourage critical thinking and discussion, and serve as springboards for writing. All activities in the book have been classroom tested and many have been the subject of research. Each activity may be used at any grade level from kindergarten through higher education. Chapter 1 provides a rationale for using literature in the classroom and describes teachers' responsibilities when using literature. Chapters 2, 3, and 4 present prereading, during-reading, and postreading activities such as anticipation guides, contrast charts, KWL charts, literature maps, character webs, journals, literary report cards, world wheels, Venn diagrams, and "table talk." Chapter 5 is devoted to the construction of individual and classroom books. Appendixes provide a 34-item list of professional books and documents, a 9-item list of journals and magazines, and a list of award-winning children's literature. (RS)