Fair Garden and the Swarm of Beasts: The Library and the Young Adult [Paperback]

Margaret A. Edwards (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

This attractive reprint of a classic by one of the giants in the field of YA services contains commentary by Patty Campbell, who puts Edwards' approach to YA services in perspective for today's youth librarians. Other added features include an eight-page section of black-and-white photos and an updated professional reading bibliography. Sally Estes --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

Product Details

• Paperback: 252 pages
• Publisher: American Library Association (November 1, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0838935338
• ISBN-13: 978-0838935330
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.3 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #605,547 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars An important readable classic for YA librarians, January 31, 2003

By 

Courtney L. Lewis "Sassy Librarian" (Kingston, PA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Fair Garden and the Swarm of Beasts: The Library and the Young Adult (Hardcover)

I initially decided to read this book because I had heard mention of its historical importance in the field of young adult work. Imagine how pleasantly surprised I was to find that Margaret Edwards was a dynamic, funny writer whose issues in the sixties regarding the state of young adult services has numerous parallels in today's world of teen services! While the text is certainly dated in terms of language and the books discussed, the refreshing attitude of Edwards can still be seen in many public libraries all over the country. This is a great read, intrinsically and historically, and I think many librarians will say, "How little has changed!" Let's hope we all work to further the work that Edwards began.