Young Adult Literature

January 1, 2011

This updated and expanded second edition of Cart's already lively and comprehensive history of young adult literature (1996) is an essential resource. It is divided into two sections ("That Was Then" and "This Is Now"), and the author once again discusses the history and current moment to offer a broad and loving overview of the rich literature. Cart provides the historical context and earliest examples of books with teenaged protagonists, titles popular with teen readers, and, finally, the materials marketed specifically to young adults, from formulaic romance to edgier, grittier realism. He then moves on to considering how the field has changed in reaction to social, literary, and educational forces. Its evolution-from new awards and diverse subject matter to changing visual forms and electronic formats-rounds out this revision. Highly accessible and thorough, the text is a staple for any study of the canon. Students and newcomers to the conversation will appreciate Cart's experience and insight. And, once again, the books he mentions as examples will send readers straight to the shelves.-Jennifer Miskec, Longwood University, Farmville, VA

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