Disability is a growing reality. According to the United States Census Bureau, approximately 57 million people--19 percent of the population--had a disability in 2010, more than half being reported as "severe."

Interest in disability studies is also growing, in literature, film, art, politics and religion. Exploring the intersection between disability and young adult literature, this collection of new essays fills a gap in scholarship between teachers and YAL scholars. The contributors offer textual analysis, best practices and numerous examples that enable teachers to expose students to dynamic characters who both reflect and contrast with the reader's reality.