Designed to help teachers open young minds to literature, this book presents criteria for evaluating books in all genres and their suggested classroom uses, an examination of hotly debated topics, and an overview of the significance of young adult literature. The fourth edition of the book features 30 boxed inserts containing essays by some of the best known young adult writers; a treatment of multicultural literature; a new chapter on teaching literature in high-school English classes; and a discussion of whole language instruction. Chapters in the book are (1) Young Adults and Their Reading; (2) Literary Aspects of Young Adult Books; (3) The New Realism: Of Life and Problems; (4) The Old Romanticism: Of Wishing and Winning; (5) Sports, Adventures, Mysteries, and the Supernatural: Of Excitement and Suspense; (6) Fantasy, Science Fiction, Utopias, and Dystopias; (7) History and History Makers: Of People and Places; (8) Nonfiction Books: Of Interesting Information; (9) Poetry, Short Stories, Drama, and Humor: Of Lines and Laughs; (10) Evaluating, Promoting, and Using Young Adult Books; (11) Literature in the English Class: A Few Words about Teaching; (12) Censorship: Of Worrying and Wondering; and (13) A Brief History of Adolescent Literature. Appendixes present book selection guides and some outstanding books and articles about young adult literature. Individual chapters contain references. (RS) )