One of the more sophisticated texts in the canon of children's literature criticism, Trites' Disturbing the Universe connects contemporary theories of power to literature written for teenagers. Most importantly, Trites discusses the manner in which adult anxieties regarding youth manifest themselves in texts, even when adult characters are not present as mouthpieces. ( )

This is a really excellent book about the problem novel in adolescent lit. Trites applies several theoretical frameworks in this text, from Freud and Lacan to Foucault, as well as several major figures in children's/YA lit. I'd definitely recommend this to anyone interested in studying the problem novel. ( )