Reflecting the rapid changes that have occurred in young adult literature, this second edition provides teachers with the history and background needed to stay current with what adolescents are reading and how such literature can be taught. The book is organized much as a literature course is taught: first, an introduction to young adults and their literature, then a look at contemporary books, followed by a view of the professional's role in relation to books and young readers. The history of the field is covered in the remaining chapters. Criteria for evaluating different kinds of books are presented throughout. The 15 chapters discuss the following: (1) young adults and their reading; (2) literary aspects of young adult literature; (3) the new realism; (4) the old romanticism; (5) excitement and suspense; (6) science fiction, fantasy, and utopias; (7) heroic life models; (8) informational books; (9) poetry, drama, and humor; (10) using and promoting books with young readers; (11) issues and concerns for adults; (12) censorship; (13) literature of the nineteenth century; (14) romance to realism from 1900 to 1940; and (15) from certainty to uncertainty in life and literature, 1940-1966. Appendixes include an honor sampling of titles, book selection guides, and sources for outstanding books and articles about young adult literature. (HTH)