Describes results of a citation analysis on a botany journal and compares the results with a previous study in a different discipline. Neither this study nor the previous one supports the basic assumption of citation analysis, that authors cite their influences. (Author/LRW)

Profiles the life and accomplishments of a mystery author/librarian. Discusses her early career; mystery writing in general; her writing schedule; position as a reference librarian at a community college; and the main character in her novels, a librarian. (AEF)

Recounts the life and career of Robert Lawson, an author and illustrator who is neglected today but who was responsible for three very popular children's books in the 1930s and 1940s. States that he is still the only person ever to receive both the Caldecott Award and the Newbery Medal. (PA)

States that helping young adult readers to reach maturity, and learn to speak, think, and act for themselves, has been Paul Zindel's major concern throughout his literary career. Discusses his "Pigman" trilogy, published between 1968 and 1991, and how these books resonate with young people. Lists classic elements in "Pigman";…

Finds a pervasive resistance at literary institutions to accepting young adult literature as a valid, respected literary form. Examines what constitutes "good writing." Feels that young people will be shortchanged if they only read writing that is considered inferior to what an educated adult considers "literature." States that…

Established in 1969, the Coretta Scott King Awards, given by the American Library Association were established to honor African American authors and illustrators. Presents nine activities to promote awareness of Coretta Scott King, the Coretta Scott King Awards, and the lives and works of past award winners. Lists and describes winners and honors…

Author/illustrator Pat Cummings talks about drawing, her favorite illustrators, her first book, her work habits, teaching, inspiration, working with other writers, and offers advice to parents, teachers, and children about art. Lists books written and/or illustrated by Cummings, and suggests activities based on her books using art, language arts,…

Interviews Karen Cushman about "The Midwife's Apprentice," the 1996 Newbery Medal Book. (SR)

Presents a profile of Myra Cohn Livingston who was best known as a children's poet and anthologist and also known for her teaching and mentoring of students and fellow writers through classes, lectures, and professional writings. Provides suggestions for extension ideas honoring the life and work of Livingston. Includes an annotated bibliography…

Proves a theorem about the invariance of the Lotka function under a transformation that maps numbers of authors as variables to number of collaborators as variables. A general approach to incorporate the average number of collaborators in a production function is discussed, leading to a general framework to model multirelational data. (Author/LRW)

Discusses the life of Ezra Jack Keats in relation to his children's books, both as illustrator and author. Presents extension ideas for activities and includes an annotated bibliography of his works, including videos based on Keats's work, biographies, biographical information, and Web resources. (LRW)

Draws from a range of sources including individual telephone interviews to identify the many individual contributions to the field of children's literature by the Pinkneys. Presents interview notes and children's literature notes from Jerry Pinkney, Gloria Jean Pinkney, Brian Pinkney, Andrea Davis Pinkney, Myles C. Pinkney, and Sandra L. Pinkney.…

A Kentucky native, Harriette Arnow was proud of her roots and presented Appalachian culture honestly, warts and all. Although her work was firmly anchored in place, Arnow's ability to write about human beings and the interactions between them transcended regional boundaries. She was a pivotal staff member at Hindman Settlement School's Appalachian…

Explains that multicultural literature should be taught because it reflects genuine family, socioeconomic, philosophical, and geographical circumstances. Proposes that students should read to not only include but to affirm multicultural voices. Describes an encounter with two writers and their works in the author's charter school classroom. (PM)

Contends that "disillusionment novels" are characterized by a circumscribed vision of the world which itself is a function of limits set upon the authors by the historical situation of their position in society. Analyzes two Nigerian classic examples of the genre, Chinua Achebe's "A Man of the People" and Wole Soyinka's…