Contemporary young adult literature is a relatively new genre. This guide provides an overview of the burgeoning field, focusing primarily on fiction. Each of the 32 chapters is devoted to a theme of special significance to young adults, and provides brief critical discussions of several related literary works. Chapters close with lists of fiction for further reading. An appendix groups works according to additional themes, and a selected bibliography cites relevant critical studies.

Among the works discussed are:

The Buffalo Tree

The Chocolate War

Dance on My Grave

The Facts Speak for Themselves

Hard Love

The Harmony Arms

Letters from the Inside

Monster Love

Necessary Roughness

Slave Day

Tangerine

And many more.