March Deadlines: Call for Papers: MLA Convention (Seattle Jan 2012)

The Modern Languages Association will have its annual convention in Seattle in January 2012. Various CFP's (calls for papers) in children's and adolescent literature have appeared: see below. Information on the convention can be found at:
http://www.mla.org/news_from_mla/news_summary#t135

E-Arming The Future?: The Expanding Influence Of Technology On Literature In Form And/Or Readership
Papers will address how authors, in works' content and form, employ modern technology to engage young readers. Abstracts by 15 March 2011; Thomas Crisp (tcrisp@sar.usf.edu) and Tammy Mielke (tmielke@uncc.edu).

Ghost Children in Juvenile Literature
Papers might consider what ghost children suggest about permanent childhood/adolescence, alternative ways of growing up, identity and body, children and death, and outsiders. Submit 500-word abstracts. by 15 March 2011; Elizabeth Talafuse (talafuse@tamu.edu).

Why Comics Are and Are Not Picture Books (Joint Session with Children's Literature Division)
Relationships between comics and picture books from perspectives including (not limited to) genre, education, formalism, semiotics, ideology. 500-word abstracts by 5 March 2011; Charles Hatfield (charles.hatfield@gmail.com).

Eco-criticism and Young Readers
This session invites critical papers that attend to the connection between how children's literature imagines environment and the real-world consequences of such imaginings. 250-350 word abstracts by 15 March 2011; Kassie Clark (kclark@mail.utexas.edu) and Caroline Jones (cj24@txstate.edu).

Self-Destruction in Children's and Young Adult Literature
We invite critical, theoretical examinations of self-destruction in children's and young adult literature, especially those that offer nuanced considerations of problem novels. 250-350 word abstracts by 1 March 2011; Melanie Goss (mkgoss@ilstu.edu).

Children of War
Papers on representations of children as agents and/or victims of violence in texts and film about civil conflict in Africa. 250 word abstract and short bio. by 5 March 2011; Janice Spleth (jspleth@wvu.edu).

Making It Up: Inventors and Inventing in Young Adult/Children's Literature
Representations of inventors, inventing and inventions both scientific and magical in YAL/children's fiction, non-fiction, picture books. 250-300 word abstracts and 100 word bios. by 15 March 2011; Keith Dorwick (kdorwick@louisiana.edu).