Dictionary Of American Childrens Fiction 1990 1994

Critical commentary on those books that have been singled out for awards or have been placed on citation lists.

Written for librarians, teachers, and researchers, this is the second five-year supplement to the authors' Dictionary of American Children's Fiction, 1960-1984 (Greenwood, 1986). Its 567 entries cover 189 award-winning children's books by 136 authors published from 1990 to 1994. Included are concise critical reviews of novels, biographical profiles of authors, and descriptions of memorable characters. An appendix lists books by the awards they have won, and an extensive index allows complete access to the wealth of material contained within this reference work. Included are alphabetically arranged entries for those works that critics have singled out to receive awards or have placed on citation lists during the five years covered by the volume. The reference also contains biographical entries for leading authors of children's fiction, with entries focusing on how the author's life relates to children's literature and to particular works in this dictionary. The volume provides a list of awards, along with an appendix classifying individual works by the awards they have won. An extensive index provides full access to the wealth of information in this book.

Children's literature mirrors changes in society, and books singled out for recognition reflect the standards and different interests of awards committees. This reference is a guide to American children's books that won awards between 1995 and 1999. Included are more than 750 alphabetically arranged entries for authors, titles, characters, and settings related to nearly 250 books. The volume demonstrates the growing number of multicultural works and novels about nontraditional families, while it also shows the continuing importance of historical fiction and the waning appeal of traditional adventure novels.

A supplement to two earlier volumes on American children's fiction from 1859 to 1984, this new dictionary, the first of a projected series of five-year updates, covers 134 award-winning books published from 1985 to 1989 with detailed factual material and insightful critical appraisal. Included in the more than 400 entries are book title entries, which provide plot summary and literary analysis; author entries, which stress major contributions to children's literature and significant biographical facts; character entries, which identify and describe memorable characters and analyze characterization; and miscellaneous entries on certain settings and other elements needing additional explanation. An appendix classifies the books under major awards given for the period in question. The extensive index, while providing access to specific names and terms, also identifies broad themes and subjects relating to fictional genres, narrative structures, and elements of style and tone. Taken together with its predecessors, this volume will be valuable for use in university, school, and public libraries, and by librarians, educators, parents, and scholars of children's literature and American culture.

Provides critical reviews of award-winning children's books, biographical information on authors, entries on unusual characters, and an extensive index.

Young adult readers have special needs and concerns, and librarians have become increasingly interested in selecting books suitable for them. This reference provides information about 290 books for young adults. These books received major awards between 1997 and 2001, reflect the voices of 242 different authors, and range from new to familiar themes. Included are nearly 750 alphabetically arranged entries for individual works, authors, characters, and settings. Many of these books were originally written for adults but have become popular among younger readers. Entries for works provide plot summaries and critical assessments, while author entries focus on those aspects of the writers' lives most relevant to literature for young people. The reference is a valuable selection tool for librarians and teachers and a useful guide for students.

Comprehensive dictionary of American children's fiction from 1960 to 1984. Includes short synopsis and brief information on author.