English Education - Volume 30, Issue 1, 1998

Describes the ramifications of a writing assignment for preservice teachers about their relationships with literature. Reports on several of the students personal writings in response to the assignment. Presents responses of two teachers, Greg Hamilton and Deborah Kinder, about doing personal writing assignments.

Draws from the text of “Jack” (a story about a teenager dealing with his father’s homosexuality) several narratives from class discussions. Analyzes the teaching and learning in the middle school class and the teacher’s role. Presents responses from Patricia Enciso and Lauren Myracle which comment on this article. In Response: Patricia Enciso, Lauren Myracle

Discusses reading with pre–teens Francine Pascal’s “Sweet Valley Twins: Best Friends,” one of a series of pre–romance novels featuring identical twin sisters. Interviews six girls using the Symbolic Representation Interview (SRI) about the good girl/bad girl dichotomy in novels and other media. Provides comments by Tom Romano and Diana Mitchell. In Response: Tom Romano, Diana Mitchell