Grade level: 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, e, i, t.

This book presents practical, theoretically sound guidance about using literature to develop literacy. The prologue to the book describes some aspects of whole language programs at work, relates research findings that underlie the whole language philosophy, and presents scenes of teachers actively using literature in their classrooms. The book is organized into three major sections on genre studies, thematic units, and putting it all together. Chapters in the book are: (1) "Books for Emergent Readers" (Charlotte S. Huck); (2) "Act It Out: Making Poetry Come Alive" (Brod Bagert); (3) "Realistic Fiction and the Real World" (Dianne L. Monson); (4) "Interacting with Informational Books" (M. Jean Greenlaw); (5) "Enriching the Arts and Humanities" (Sam Leaton Sebesta); (6) "An Author Study: Tomie dePaola" (Joanne Lionetti); (7) "The Magic of Martin" (Deborah A. Wooten); (8) "Extending Multicultural Understanding" (Rudine Sims Bishop); (9) "Award Winners from Five English-Speaking Countries" (Sylvia M. Hutchinson and Ira E. Aaron); (10) "Organizing a Literature-Based Reading Program" (Dorothy S. Strickland); (11) "Responding to Literature: Activities for Exploring Books" (Linda DeGroff and Lee Galda); (12) "Using Literature with Readers at Risk" (Roselmina Indrisano and Jeanne R. Paratore); (13) "Resources to Identify Children's Books" (Arlene M. Pillar); and (14) "The Censorship Challenge" (Francie Alexander). Indexes of children's book authors and illustrators, and of children's book titles are attached. (RS)

A boy tries to stop a rampaging robot in this “deliciously wicked fun” tale by the author of The House with a Clock in Its Walls (School Library Journal) When feared Yankees slugger Cliff Bullard goes barnstorming around the northeast, offering $10,000 to any local pitcher who can strike him out, Professor Childermass and Johnny Dixon get a sneaky idea. There’s a local legend about a crackpot inventor who once built a robot capable of throwing a baseball 110 MPH, and the professor thinks that if they find the machine, they can win Bullard’s prize. They discover the rusted old monstrosity in an abandoned workshop and put it back together, piece by piece. But when they screw in the robot’s eyes and it comes to life, they realize they have made a terrible mistake. As soon as it’s activated, the robot attacks, trying to kill Johnny and the professor. Was it made to be a killing machine, or have its circuits been corroded? To save the town and get a crack at the $10,000, Johnny and the professor will have to tame the steel beast. The adventure stories featuring Johnny Dixon, from the award-winning author of The House with a Clock in Its Walls, are a delightfully imaginative treat, and this book in the popular series features “a unique plot, marvelous characters, and non-stop suspense” (School Library Journal).

Presents literary criticism on writers and illustrators for children and young adults. Critical essays are selected from leading sources, including published journals, magazines, books, monographs, reviews, and scholarly papers.