Latrobe (library and information sciences, U. of Oklahoma) and Drury, a media specialist now retired from a high school library, offer their insight to librarians, teachers, parents, and others
who are endeavoring to help young adults (aged about 12-18) hone their skills as readers and their love of reading. They begin by discussing relevant theories of literacy and education,
developmental stages, how adults can promote young adult reading, and how young people categorize or structure literature. Then they survey eight alternative critical approaches, not so much to
literature written specifically for young adults, but to young-adult reading of any literature. The theories include new criticism/formal criticism, sociological criticism, gender criticism,
archetypal/mythological criticism, popular culture and literacy, and reader-response criticism. Annotation 穢2009 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)
