Presents 54 thank you letters written by authors (of children's literature, young adult literature, and professional texts) to classroom teachers, from the shadow of the events of September 11th, 2001, offering their thanks for teachers' efforts to face those events with children, offering their personal thoughts about the events, or their…

Describes how the author helps his students understand the power of books and the impossibility of predicting what book will profoundly affect a person, by asking two questions: "What book made the biggest difference in your life?" and "What was that difference?" Describes the profound impact on the author's life of John…

Suggests that all teaching in literature classes is in some ways preparation for events such as September 11th. Argues that teachers teach students to read events such as these by showing them how to move from reaction to reflection, and from image to empathy; and to write so that they capture their thinking, reexamine it, and present it to…

Offers short descriptions of 12 books for young adults that involve outsiders and that explore conflicting needs for identity and community. Argues that books may provide the spring boards for a dialog which has heated up since September 11th: how we as a nation can stand united yet retain our strength in diversity. (SR)

Offers brief annotations of 24 books for adolescents in which girls take on tough tasks, face seemingly insurmountable obstacles, and triumph over adversity. (SR)