Adolescent literature offers an effective means for curbing sex bias in the public schools, while offering female readers an opportunity to evaluate their life styles, sex roles, and self images. Studies reveal an almost exclusive girls' readership for adolescent novels and until recently the most popular themes were sexual relationships. In contrast to the flat passive characters of the past 30 years, the female protagonist of modern adolescent novels is capable of making decisions; she is a complex person facing real problems. Some current novels deal with the following themes: sexual experience without pregnancy, guilt, or social condemnation; physical and mental illness; unconventional roles for girls; maturing experiences exclusive of boy/girl relationships; and maintaining identity in the context of marriage. "Mia, Alone," by Gunnell Beckman, illustrates the current trend in adolescent novels. It encourages girls to be strong and independent in their choices, and presents a series of alternatives, rather than morals or pat solutions. (MAI)