100 Years of Children's Books in America: Decade by Decade

I wish I had this book while studying children's literature! The author, Marjorie N. Allen, takes the reader through the decades of American children's literature by chronologically presenting the books that have continued to haunt us readers, from the nineteenth century to 1996. For example, Allen explains why Stephen Crane's book "The Red Badge of Courage" might be considered the first young adult book and, also, why librarians dislike Baum's "Oz" series. These facts make fascinating reading for us voracious readers who enjoy learning the history of American children's books. Highly recommended for the "child" of any age.