For decades, men have written about their first sexual experiences, but there's almost no literature like that for women. In this hour of To the Best of Our Knowledge, memoirist Mary Karr reflects on her first kiss and other rites of passage for girls. Also, Jonathan Kozol describes the little miracles he saw among the kids of the South Bronx.

Mary Karr has written another volume of memoirs, "Cherry," to follow up her best selling "The Liar's Club." She tells Steve Paulson that this volume begins at the time of her sexual awakening and that most female writers skip over those awkward adolescent years.

Rudolph Bell is a historian at Rutgers, and author of "How To Do It: Guides to Good Living for Renaissance Italians." He tells Jim Fleming that Italian parents of 500 years ago had some very modern ideas about child rearing. And a few wacky ones about pre-determining the sex of your baby. Also, Jonathan Kozol tells Jim about the children in the Mott Haven neighborhood of the South Bronx and why he's hopeful about them in spite of the terrible problems in their community. Kozol says the kids are blessed with dedicated teachers and a great, church-run after-school program. Kozols's books include "Death at an Early Age" and now, "Ordinary Resurrections: Children in the Years of Hope."

Jack Zipes is an authority on the Brothers Grimm and other fairy tales. He tells Steve Paulson why he's not a big fan of the Harry Potter Books, what great children's literature should do, and how he fights with his daughter about her books and music. Zipes' latest book is "Sticks and Stones: The Troublesome Success of Children's Literature from Slovenly Peter to Harry Potter." He recommends some children's books (listed below). Also, Anthony Browne, one of England's most admired children's book authors, talks with Steve Paulson about several of his books, and explains why he'll never go inside a gorilla's enclosure again.

• That I Would Be Good from the album Supposed Former Infatuation Junkie with alanis Morisette
• The Satyrs Dance from the album The Masque of Oberon with Philip Pickett
• I Remember Clifford from the album People Time with Stan Getz/Kenny Barron
• One Bass Hit from the album Django with Modern Jazz Quartet
• Cedar Hill from the album Mondo Mando with David Grisman

• The main books are a trilogy called "His Dark Materials" by Phillip Pullman
• 1. Golden Compass
• 2. A Subtle Knife
• 3. The Amber Spyglass
• The other author he recommended was Lloyd Alexander, who wrote "The High King" and others.

Distribution dates:

• week of 02/17/2002 - hour 1
• week of 10/08/2000 - hour 1