This book by well-known authors Liz Knowles and Martha Smith ("Boys and Literacy, Reading Rules ," etc.) fills the need for a K-12 resource for teachers and librarians searching for materials and activity ideas for character education at all grade levels. It consists of 12 chapters--one on each virtue: empathy, respect, courage, humor, responsibility, perseverance, loyalty, honesty, cooperation, tolerance, citizenship, and forgiveness. Each chapter has a listing of related virtues, a definition, several useful famous quotes, listings of people and organizations who have demonstrated the...

"Understanding Diversity Through Novels and Picture Books" goes beyond the usual multicultural lists and looks at the wide expanse of the diversity of cultures and lifestyles impacting children's lives in America today and identifies good books to have in library collections for them to read. Included are annotated titles with discussion questions from all of the identified cultures and subcultures and annotated teacher/librarian resources, print- and Web-based, as well as an excellent list of topical annotated journal articles. Grades 4-8.

Knowles and Smith examine current research on...

The author of the bestselling Boys and Literacy offers an overview of current thought on the teaching of reading. Differentiating Reading Instruction through Children's Literature includes data on the current status of reading instruction, models and methods, best practices, and brain research.

The focus here on differentiation of instruction (what it is general and what is specific to reading) will be valuable to school librarians in their effort to understand and support reading instruction in their schools. The book includes lesson ideas, annotations, kids'...