Trade books offer both teachers and students a basic learning tool that can help make learning in the content areas more personal and meaningful. Teachers can use trade books as background reading, for planning units of study, as resource materials in teaching, and as part of the total reading program. Students can use trade books for research purposes and for reading enjoyment and enrichment. Trade books aid teachers by providing a variety of topics for a wide range of student abilities. They also give teachers autonomy in selecting materials for instruction. Students also benefit when trade books are used in content area teaching. Regardless of students' reading interests, reading levels, or maturity, there are usually trade books available to serve students' individualized needs. Since trade books offer something for everyone, they can help stimulate student participation in classroom discussions, offering a variety of viewpoints and unique contributions to the subject area. (RL)