Presenting Barbara Wersba
By: Elizabeth A. Poe.
Series: Twayne's United States authors series ;; TUSAS 698.; Young adult authors; Twayne's United States authors series ;; TUSAS 698.; Twayne's United States authors series.
Publisher: Twayne Publishers; Prentice Hall International
Published: 1998
Place of publication: New York; London
Language: eng
Number of pages: 180
Subjects: Wersba, Barbara -- Criticism and interpretation.; Young adult fiction, American -- History and criticism.; Youth -- Books and reading -- United States -- History -- 20th century.
Other titles: Barbara Wersba
Description: Written in 1968, Barbara Wersba's The Dream Watcher was among the books that heralded the arrival of young adult new realism. Wersba has been writing ground-breaking novels for teenagers ever since. Her novels usually center around the story of an improbable relationship between a lonely, often artistically oriented teen and an older person who provides direction and hope.

Dealing with difficult but important topics such as alienation, sexuality, sexual orientation, parent/child misunderstandings, alcoholism, drug abuse, and artistic aspirations, Wersba's writing is characterized by humor, insight, and emotional truth. It is also graced by frequent references to the world of literature and art. In this first book-length biocritical analysis of Wersba's work, Dr. Elizabeth Poe explores the deeply personal nature of this award-winning author's works.

Presenting Barbara Wersba is a one-of-a-kind study of an author who has been in the canon of YA literature since the beginnings of the genre. It will serve as a valuable reference for teachers, Young Adult librarians, teenagers themselves, scholars in the field, and anyone interested in this colorful author whose work has always been distinguished by its literary quality and social relevance.
Notes: Includes bibliographical references (p. 164-173) and index.