Presents three young adult novels by Brock Cole discussing a phenomenological quest for self-identity that breaks the traditional pattern often found in young adult literature. Discusses the novels "The Goats" (1987), "Celine" (1989), and "The Facts Speak for Themselves" (1997) where adolescents show strength, responsibility, and maturity, and adults are depicted as egocentric, immature, indifferent, and otherwise seriously flawed. (SC)