Tom Zimmer, age 16, of Patterson, N.J., for his question:

WHAT IS A HORNBOOK?

A hornbook was a flat board with a handle. On the board, which was used by a beginning pupil, was pasted a sheet of paper containing a simple lesson. Often the lesson was the printed alphabet followed by a combination of vowels and consonants.

During the Middle Ages and until about 1800, paper was scarce and expensive and often not available for students. The hornbook solved the problem. The printed lesson was covered with a protective piece of clear, thin horn through which a person could read the paper.

The first hornbook was used as early as 1442. It was common in England and America until about 1800 when books became cheaper.

Today hornbooks are rare collectors' items.