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An interview with author and columnist Patty Campbell is presented. Campbell discusses age parameters for young adult literature, noting that no one is too old to read books designated as young adult literature. The sophistication of young adult literature, the rise in popularity of graphic novels, and the increase in adult readers of young adult literature are examined. Campbell's book "Campbell's Scoop: Reflections on Young Adult Literature," and her disdain for chick lit are also discussed.

The article presents an interview with Pat Scales, who is the president of ALA's Association for Library Services to Children. In the interview Scales comments on what librarians want from their job, and what parents and kids want from their library. Scales explains that when she is teaching a book to children, she likes to create interactive activities for the children. She also asserts that school's need their librarians.

The article considers the effect of a starred review. Authors, publishers, bookstores, readers and the magazine itself all like and benefit from starred reviews, but few people are sure what they mean. Stars tend to confuse and conflate good as in "a good book" and good as in "a good buy" for a library or bookstore.

The author argues that there is a need for aspiring writers to read a lot of children books before thinking about publishing or writing one. Particular focus is given to writers' motivation for venturing into children's and young adult literature. Also mentioned are Master of Fine Arts (MFA) programs on writing for young people and the resignation of Horn Book publisher Ian Singer.

The author discusses the announcement by Great Britain Education Secretary Michael Gove that British students from upper-elementary through high-school should read fifty books per year. The author expresses concern that while politicians in Great Britain and the U.S. have long advocated for more reading, they have often been unwilling to fund reading programs. While the author questions the wisdom of setting the quota at fifty books, he favors any program that encourages engaged reading.

The author comments on the proliferation of nonfiction books for children and youth and how this market has or has not been impacted by the Internet. The author admits to holding the belief that there would be less interest in nonfiction books because the Internet would provide opportunities for children and youth to conduct research.

The article comments on a number of issue surrounding reader response. The editor assures readers that the magazine takes their opinions seriously. It also notes a number of troubling developments that are the results of book discussions on listservs, namely the lack of in depth analysis and a rejection of printed materials on children's literature.

The article considers the right of the press to ask book award committees about their evaluation procedure. The criteria for prize selection for the Caldecott, Newbery and Sibert awards are ambiguous; many books qualify for multiple awards. The article praises the overlap in prize nominees, saying it helps to establish quality in books.

The article discusses the relationship between writers and reviewers. The two share a common ground in the book as written, complete with all the errors in translation from writer to page and from page to reviewer. Reviewer must keep in mind the book, the reader and the body of literature to which the book belongs.

The article considers the economics of reading. In an article in "Publishers Weekly," Tammy Deuster claimed that books were the most economical means of entertaining oneself, when compared in a cost/time analysis to music and movies. The article disputes this claim, noting that there are different time expenditures depending on the quality of the entertainment and the actions of the reader/viewer/listener.

The author focuses on a proposal intended for the Young Adult Library Services Association. The author provides an argument for an award given to young adult literature that stretches the imagination and demands an exciting orientation to new hypotheses, new ideas, and new dimensions. The article offers criteria for the award as well as implications of the inception of the award.

The author reflects upon the Newbery awards. He discusses the phrase "most distinguished" and believes the phrase is biased at best. The author ponders the impact of a Newbery award on the book and its author. Details are given for the criticism editors face from the Newbery committee if they offer their opinions in their respective magazines and journals about what book titles they would like to see win.