A collection of essays written in the aftermath of September 11th in which Aronson weighed out how art, history, and books for younger readers could respond to the altered world. As in his previous collection, Exploding the Myths, the Truth About Teenagers and Reading, he exposes the mythologies and false beliefs that distort our understanding of books and their readers.

Part 1 Section 1: What Is the "Multi" in Muliticulture? Part 2 Section 2: 9/11 and Its Aftermath, Art Part 3 Section 3: 9/11 and Its Aftermath, History Part 4 Section 4: Teen Troubles, the Challenges of Publishing for Adolescent Readers Part 5 Secttion 5: Boy Troubles, the Challenges of Being a Male Reader Part 6 Section 6: Back to Particulars and Universals