Rountree (English, North Carolina Central U.) explores cultural, social, and psychological issues and themes in contemporary (post-Civil Rights era) young adult novels written by African
American authors (both male and female) for a readership of African American boys. Issues discussed include violence, missing fathers, identity, sports, and romantic relationships, in the work
of well-known and emerging authors such as Sharon Flake, Kenji Jasper, William McDaniels, and Jacqueline Woodson. An introduction reviews African American characters in adult literature by
classic authors such as Ralph Ellison and Lorraine Hansberry. The introduction also looks at the relationship between African American boys and books in an era when reading can be seen as
'acting white.' Annotation 穢2011 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)
