Reference Reviews

Reference for Students

Cyclopedia of Young Adult Authors. Edited by the Editors of Salem Press. Pasadena, CA: Salem Press, 2005. 3 vol. 770 p. $225. ISBN 1-58765-206-4.

This set stands out thanks to its colorful cross-references.

This set is unique in that it has color photographs and sidebars making it an especially attractive addition. Articles about the 250 authors are brief with a higher level vocabulary. Each signed article has birth date and place and, when appropriate, death date and place, Web sites and principal works. The opening paragraph explains why the author is noteworthy. The sidebars in articles have interesting information, such as a picture of Pulitzer and a paragraph about the prize in the article on Lucille Clifton, Pulitzer Prize-nominated poet. Throughout the articles, colorful triangles send the reader to other places. In the Clifton article, the student is sent to information on the American Library Association and the Coretta Scott King Award, both discussed on earlier pages. Maps locate places on the globe and color photographs may pique student interest in other topics. Each volume has an index to the set, and the final volume has two pages of awards with some highlighted to indicate that the student should check the index for an article about the award. Each has a complete index to the set. Highly recommended.