Because violence is an inescapable reality of the world, this paper asks the question, "Does violence have any place in children's literature?" For centuries, children's literature has encompassed stories in which the virtuous were rewarded and evildoers suffered retribution. Historically, violence was frequently part of punishment. Children of the past were directly confronted with their responsibility for their choices and actions and the likelihood of severe punishments following closely upon wrongdoing. Violence in juvenile literature has also been praiseworthy and even glamorous, expressed as people "doing their duty," for example, in a wartime situation. Stories that did not concern war often incited children to demonstrate physical courage. Females as well as males were forced to face danger or be ready to sacrifice themselves. It is only in recent decades that the place of violence in children's books has been so vigorously questioned. Some current viewpoints take the position that children's books may encompass violence and conflict, but it is essential that they do so in ways that show the suffering caused, and offer solutions other than retaliatory violence. Once one has accepted that there is a place for violence in children's literature, it is still difficult to judge which books are acceptable. It is important to find books that pose the issues for children in terms meaningful to them in their world. (Contains 17 references.) (SWC)