Duncan, Frances. 'The Young Adult Novel: One Writer's Perspective." Horn Book 62 (April 1981): 221-228. Duncan argues that young adult novels are not written for today's young adults; rather, they are written by yesterday's adolescents about yesterday's adolescence. She feels that the category is false and that young adult books belong in the mainstream of modern fiction.

Egoff, Sheila. The Problem Novel." In Only Connect: Readings on Children's Literature, edited by Sheila Egoff, G. T. Stubbs, and L. F. Ashley. New York: Oxford University Press, 1980. Egoff discusses the adolescent problem novel, concluding that it is too narrow in scope and style to be good fiction.

She analyzes the genre's vast appeal and its influence on children's literature as a whole.

Peck, Richard. "Coming Full Circle: From Lesson Plans to Young Adult Novels." Horn Book 59 (April 1983): 208-215. An autobiographical essay about Peck's career as a writer of young...