Blackwell handbook of adolescence /

Including contributions by both venerated scholars in the field and promising up-and-coming researchers, this well-organized volume presents dense summaries of current research in specific areas of adolescent development. The chapter sections include biology, social contexts, trajectories of normal development, relationships, and adolescent problem behaviors. Although, as Adams (Univ. of Guelph) and Berzonsky (SUNY, Cortland) point out, a paucity of longitudinal data exists for adolescents, the handbook delivers what is known currently. As with other psychological research, gender and minority youth data are more often compared to a white male "other." However, gender and youth of color are sub-topics throughout most of the chapters. The chapter on sexual-minority youth is a welcome addition: research in this area is scant, but same-sex orientation has multiple developmental trajectories as well. This reminder of the complexity of all adolescent development is well taken and leads the reader to question widely held perceptions about adolescents, e.g., problem behavior is inevitable. Data reported herein offer proof that it is not. Another bonus: contributors include sociologists and social workers; the editors note that such collaborations are necessary to conduct good research and influence public policy. ^BSumming Up: Essential. All collections supporting work at the upper-division undergraduate level and above. S. K. Hall University of Houston--Clear Lake