(Hardback)

Essays discuss the literary and thematic elements of science fiction and shed light on the evolution of science fiction as a genre for young readers.

The volume begins with a section of essays on the origins of science fiction as a genre for young readers.

(Hardback)

The first section of the book, The Dark Self, takes its direction from Colin Manlove's essay on Stevenson's Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, a classic examination of the dark side of the self. Section two, Mainstream Dark, examines mainstream authors who have used elements of the fantastic in their dark visions.

(Hardback)

This book examines young adult science fiction in the U.S. and several other countries and explores issues central to the genre.

The first part of the book treats the larger contexts of young adult science fiction and includes chapters on its history and development.