The moment this book was printed, it is already slightly dated. That being said, it is helpful in determining age appropriateness and the concept of that as well. ( )

Even if you're not an educator or librarian working with teens but a big fan of YA literature, this provides an interesting and enlightening history of the genre. Cart also addresses graphic novels, non-fiction, and the impact of technology on teen reading. At times, he veers to self-congratulatory about his involvement in the YA scene. But he offers some intriguing title recommendations. ( )

Great text for an introductory course in YA librarianship. Very readable and enjoyable for a class textbook. I would have enjoyed even without the class. ( )

Very few YA literature professionals are as well known as Michael Cart who has made an incomparable contribution to the fields of literature and librarianship with his knowledge, writing, and presentations almost everywhere. That said, this history and contemporary analysis of young adult literature is superb. Cart covers the early years in the first three chapters and then spends the rest of the book discussing the various genres of YA lit from the tame to the cutting edge. This is a book that teacher librarians who are working with YA Lit must read. No one can keep up totally with the outpouring of titles, but Cart does the best job we know about. An essential read.