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JOURNAL OF
CHILDREN'S LITERATURE

CLA MEMBER-EXCLUSIVE FEATURES

JCL Archives, Exclusively available to CLA Members

NOW AVAILABLE!

Current JCL Issue: Spring 2022

ABOUT THE JOURNAL

The Journal of Children's Literature is a refereed journal devoted to teaching and scholarship for the field of children's literature. It is the product of the Children's Literature Assembly of NCTE and is published twice annually.

To join CLA and subscribe to the Journal of Children's Literature, visit our Membership Page or click on the membership links below.

Current Editors
Incoming Editors
write for JCL

Journal Mission

The Journal of Children’s Literature, a refereed publication of the Children’s Literature Assembly of the National Council of Teachers of English, explores issues of current concern to scholars in the field of children’s literature, librarians, and classroom teachers—preschool through middle school.
As a peer-reviewed professional publication, the Journal of Children’s Literature features research-based and scholarly articles that explore contemporary issues that are of interest to elementary and middle grade teachers, scholars and researchers of children’s literature, teacher educators, and librarians. It also recognizes the diversity of methodologies and theories and seeks critical perspectives on issues related to  race/ethnicity, class, gender, sexuality, dis/ability, language and other similar topics in children’s literature

We value the unique position JCL occupies in the field, bridging theory and practice by publishing research-based and theoretical manuscripts that have immediate implications for the ways in which children’s literature is shared in elementary and middle grade classrooms, and discussed in communities outside the classroom. 

With the November 2015 approval of NCTE’s “Resolution on the Need for Diverse Children’s and Young Adult Books, JCL is committed to  the recognition of diverse voices, the support of emerging IBPOC scholars and researchers, and  to excellence in interdisciplinary research and scholarship in the field of children’s literature. We therefore welcome  submissions that center literature studies in relation to issues of social justice, and equity, the representations of populations that have been historically marginalized or under-represented in children’s texts and culture, as well as the intersections between popular culture and identity.

 

Editors

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Dr. Thomas Crisp
Georgia State
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Dr. Mary Napoli
Penn State Harrisburg
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Dr. Vivian Yenika-Agbaw
Penn State University
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Dr. Angie Zapata
University of Missouri
We are professors of education, literacy, and children’s and young adult literature whose professional work centers on issues of social justice, the representations of populations that have been historically marginalized or under-represented in children’s texts and culture, and the intersection between popular culture and identity. Our work is grounded in theories of reader response, critical multiculturalism, and culturally responsive and sustaining pedagogies, and is informed by research and scholarship in education, literary and cultural studies.
In Memoriam: Dr. Vivian Yenika-Agbaw

 

Write for JCL

 
  • CALLS FOR MANUSCRIPTS
  • CONTRIBUTE TO COLUMNS
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Spring 2023 (Due August 30, 2022 )
Open Call

We are living in a time when children’s literature is making headlines more than perhaps ever before. To meet this moment, supporters of readers and reading need to be organized, educated, and vocal. That means the field of children’s literature needs clear, accessible, high quality, published research. In this open-themed issue, we invite researchers and educators to submit original, theoretical or empirical research papers and alternatively-formatted submissions on all aspects of children’s literature, including middle grades literature. 
We invite authors to consider topics such as the following:
  • How books affect or are affected by the contexts in which they are read, taught, enjoyed, or otherwise used
  • Whose voices are privileged or marginalized across genres and formats
  • Ways literature influences readers and learners throughout their educational experiences
  • How children’s literature is shared in classrooms and the challenges, successes, or new understandings that arise
  • How various theoretical lenses inform and expand our understanding of particularly titles, themes, and movements in children’s literature
  • Other explorations into children’s literature in and across research, teaching, and publishing 

We are especially interested in manuscripts that have the potential to supply accurate, meaningful knowledge related to literature for young people for educators and the public at large in addition to work that helps deepen our understanding of our field. Research into and analysis of literature is valued, particularly where it is presented in or alongside a more direct connection to reading, readers, and teaching to support practitioners. We look forward to curating articles that tackle big ideas, guide practice in strategic and more imaginative ways, and offer cutting-edge direction to the field of children’s literature.

MANUSCRIPT GUIDELINES
Manuscripts should not exceed 20 double-spaced, typed pages (excluding references and tables). Use APA (7th edition) format. Please include an abstract of approximately 50–150 words at the beginning of the manuscript. If the manuscript contains samples of student work, photographs of students working, charts, diagrams, or other visuals, include scans upon submission; originals will be requested upon acceptance. (Permission must be secured for samples of student work and photographs of students.) Author’s name, mailing address, telephone number, fax number, email address, and school/professional affiliation should be on a separate cover page. The author’s name or any reference that would enable a reviewer to know who the author is should not appear on the manuscript.

If the submission is to a themed issue, please indicate in the cover letter the themed issue for which the manuscript is being submitted. Manuscripts will not be sent out for peer review until all information is provided. Each submitted manuscript will be screened by each editor. Any manuscript that is selected for peer review will be reviewed by at least two members of the editorial board.. Decisions will be made within 8–12 weeks of publication of the journal issue for which the submission was made. Only electronic submissions will be accepted.

Manuscripts submitted to the Journal of Children’s Literature should not be under review for publication elsewhere. In addition, manuscripts should not have been previously published in another journal.

Please submit all manuscripts to the JCL editors at jcl@childrensliteratureassembly.org
Information Coming Soon

Information coming soon

SCHOLAR'S COMMENTARY FROM THE

Spring 2022 Issue

Critical, Patriotic and Proud by Shannon

CRITICAL CONVERSATIONS FROM THE

SPRING 2022 Issue

Critical Conversations by Edith Campbell

SAMPLE ARTICLES

The gendered portrayal of inanimate characters
in children's books
by T. Berry & J. Wilkins
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Journal of Children’s Literature, 43(2), pp. 4–15, 2017
Beyond Sanctioned Activism in Carl Hiaasen's
Flush: Sacrifice zones in realistic fiction
by A. Panos
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Journal of Children’s Literature, 43(1), pp. 6–15, 2017
be who you are: Exploring representations of transgender children In Picturebooks
by A. Crawley
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Journal of Children’s Literature, 43(2), pp. 28–41, 2017

JCL COLUMNS

2017 cla master class: Diverse nonfiction
children's literature in the university
classroom
by T. Crisp, A. Knezek & R. gardner
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2016 CLA Master class: Diverse children's
literature at the university
by L. LianG, L. Parsons & T. Crisp
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2016 cla workshop: Diversity 2.0: Advocating for more than just diverse faces
By M. Koss & D. Johnson
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CONTACT JCL'S EDITORS

JCL@childrensliteratureassembly.org

JOURNAL METRICS

Acceptance Rate: 8-10%
Indexed in EBSCO, ERIC


ADVERTISING INQUIRIES

Advertising inquiries may be addressed to: JCL Editors at JCL@childrensliteratureassembly.org

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Island 1/2 page   $135

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Tribute to Past JCL Editors
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