Michael Cart is probably the most prominent spokesperson and authority on young adult literature in the U.S. He is the past president of both YALSA and ALAN, teaches YA Lit at UCLA, writes a literary criticism column, Cart Blanche, for ALA Booklist, and travels and speaks widely. This book is a collection of some of his favorite essays that will appeal to students and teachers of adolescent literature courses as well as to fans of his writing.

Part 1 Part I: A New Golden Age: The Renaissance of Young Adult Literature Chapter 2 Chapter 1: Of Risk and Revelation: The Current State of Young Adult Literature Chapter 3 Chapter 2: Robert Lipsyte: The Contender Becomes a Champion Chapter 4 Chapter 3: Creating the Michael L Printz Award: A New Book Prize for a New Millenium Chapter 5 Chapter 4: Comix.@$#! A Graphic Novel Book Discussion Program for Teens Chapter 6 Chapter 5: Young Adult LIterature: The State of a Restless Art Chapter 7 Chapter 6: At Last! An Answer to That Vexing Question Part 8 Part II: The Insiders Come Out: Gay and Lesbian Literature for Young Adults Chapter 9 Chapter 7: What a Wonderful World: Notes on the Evolution of GLBTQ Literature for Young Adults Chapter 10 Chapter 8: Lives are at Stake Part 11 Part III: Libraries and Librarians Chapter 12 Chapter 9: Here There Be Sanctuary: The Public Library as Refuge and Retreat Chapter 13 Chapter 10: America's Front Porch: The Public Library Chapter 14 Chapter 11: A Historic Occasion Part 15 Part IV: What's So Funny? Chapter 16 Chapter 12: Fanfare for Freddy: A Classic Neglected No Longer Chapter 17 Chapter 13: You CallThat Funny? Part 18 Part V: Rememberings Chapter 19 Chapter 14: Robert Cormier Remembered Chapter 20 Chapter 15: Bill Morris, the Last Civilized Man Chapter 21 Chapter 16: Who's Mike Printz Chapter 22 Chapter 17: Monroe Elementary, Mike, and Me: A Memoir Part 23 Index Part 24 About the Author