Ronald Takaki accounts for his having used Karen Leonard's material without permission and defends his omnibus style of footnoting. He discusses revisions made in the subsequent edition of "Strangers from a Different Shore" in response to Professor Leonard's requests. (DM)

Describes the genesis of three children's books to illustrate how the author borrows from the traditions of others to write her children's tales. (SR)

Describes the background for the creation of the 1990 Newbery Award-winning book, "Number the Stars." Relates how the author conceived of the ideas for the book and the experiences she underwent in preparation for writing it. (MG)

This speech, given by the recipient of the American Library Association (ALA) Author Achievement Award in 1990, discusses the responsibilities of writers of young adult fiction. Issues addressed include problems in growing up, declaring independence from your peers, and the importance of the role of librarians. (LRW)

Discusses the historical and current position of writers in the university. States that, as a higher proportion of writers learn their craft and make their living in the university, it is inevitable that U.S. literature will embody a narrower range of settings, occupations, and social classes. (PRA)

Interviews Nicholasa Mohr about her background, experiences, motives, and interests as they relate to the authoring of works of fiction featuring Puerto Rican-American children and adults. (MG)

Includes three presentations that were originally presented at the 1993 American Library Association Annual Conference as part of the forum entitled "Is That Book Politically Correct? Truth and Trends in Historical Literature for Young People." The viewpoints of an editor, an educator, and a writer are presented. (LRW)

This interview with children's book author and illustrator Jan Brett covers childhood influences; illustrating folk tales, fables, original stories, and other author's books; awards and reviews; the creative process; developing brochures to accompany books; and drawing animal characters. A list of books written and illustrated by Brett is…

Arguing that the compiler of "Bartlett's Familiar Quotations" has ignored statements by conservative philosophers, "Policy Review" offers a sampling of 250 conservative quotations from 68 celebrities and world leaders from the past 50 years that ought to be considered for Bartlett's seventeenth edition. (SLD)

Argues that characters in young adult books who happen to be writers can serve as models of the writing process for students. Discusses several novels that feature young writers. (SR)

Examines postcolonial inquiry and studies of identity in Asians of Indian descent, focusing on the works of Meena Alexander and Bharati Mukherjee. Their commentaries on India and immigrant cultures are constantly influenced by a history dependent on Western tradition, although both authors resist the stereotypical definitions imposed by the West.…

Relates a conversation with Paul O. Zelinsky, winner of the 1998 Caldecott Medal for his elegant Italianate "Rapunzel" in Renaissance style. Describes the challenges and pleasure of using a historical setting to tell a good story and delight the viewers' eyes. (SR)

Argues that traditional understandings of ownership and intellectual property fall short of describing synchronous electronic discourse. Asks how to develop property rights and guidelines for fair use when what would be cited belongs to a pseudonymous or anonymous group. Claims that feminist theory provides a way to understand the importance of…

A popular author of young-adult fiction offers suggestions for teachers and students who want to write to authors and receive replies. Discusses how to organize letters from entire classes and student motivations for writing, and includes humorous examples of student correspondence. (LRW)

Discusses 10 books as resources for teachers and educators--books that focus on the creative processes of authors and illustrators (providing insights into literature), and books that offer readers a behind-the-scenes look at how some well-loved books originated. (SR)