"Radical Change: Books for Youth in a Digital Age" (Dresang, 1999) is a landmark work that examines ways in which young readers are affected by the Digital Age. The impetus for the book grew out of Eliza Dresang's observation that printed books with nonlinear, interactive qualities appeal strongly to contemporary children. She noted that digital media have served as a catalyst leading to new styles of printed books with graphics in new forms and formats, nonsequential organization, and multiple layers of meaning. Re-examination of the book's premise is warranted due to sufficient time passing since its publication. Changes in the digital environment, such as MySpace, FaceBook, YouTube, and Twitter amplify the initial thesis of "Radical Change," making reconsideration of its implications worthwhile. Republication makes this evaluation accessible to a broader audience that extends beyond librarians, and provides common ground for a conversation regarding technological and social events occurring outside of schools and its implications. [This article is a republication of the preface and introductory chapter of "Radical change: Books for Youth in a Digital Age" (Eliza Dresang, 1999).]