"Pitre and Cook have significantly added to the body of texts that discuss the value of using YA in the secondary English Language Arts classroom. These authors realize that two debates will continue: 1) Are universal themes universal? and 2) Does YA Literature belong in the classroom? Discussing both issues, they provide rationales for continuing to explore universal themes in the classroom through the inclusion of relevant, quality YA literature. Hurrah!" --Steven T. Bickmore, Associate Professor of English Education, University of Nevada Las Vegas; curator, Dr. Bickmore's YA Wednesday Blog "This book helps me envision readers actively engaged in grappling with important literary themes through activities involving art, poetry, performance, media production, and creative writing. It offers a consistent structure complete with weekly calendars, while also offering students freedom of thought and expression as they apply what they learn from characters to their own identity construction, as well as to decisions about what and how they want to be in the world." --Sharon Kane, professor of literacy; former middle school reading teacher, State University of New York, Oswego; author of "Literacy and Learning in the Content Areas: Enhancing Knowledge in the Disciplines", 4th edition.