"Dr. Nick, former president of the American Name Society and current Editor-in-Chief of Names , enjoys an international reputation for her scholarship in in the study of names and naming. Every chapter in this volume is of the highest quality and makes a substantive contribution to onomastics and literary studies." -- Frank Nuessel, Professor Emeritus, University of Louisville, USA "Names lie at the crossroads of identity, culture, and imagination. In this insightfully edited collection, the authors explore how naming in youth literature shapes belonging, resistance, and empowerment. From J.R.R.

Tolkien and Michael Williams to Andrea Beatriz Arango and Anoosha Syed, the collection demonstrates remarkable thematic and cultural range." -- Brandon Simonson, Instructor of Biblical Studies, Boston University, USA, and President of the American Name Society "As critical attention to literature for children and young adults grows, this collection offers fresh insights into the ways that names and naming inform character development, plot, and structure. In keeping with the promise of its title, its essays focus on identity and diversity in scope-from picture books and fantasy worlds to novels and verse-and in the multicultural richness of its contributors as well as the characters and authors they discuss. In their careful attention to individual texts, the analyses function collectively to advance both literary and onomastic study." -- Christine De Vinne, Professor Emerita, Ursuline College, USA.