The Age of _____? is a research project started by Tom Phillion, Associate Professor at the Roosevelt University in Chicago, that explores the relationship between young adult literature and the contemporary world and records its findings through blog posts and podcasting.

By exploring how young adult literature might be used to encourage deeper, richer, and more critical thinking about the contemporary world in middle school and high school English courses, this blog features a wealth of thought-provoking ideas that will add depth to teachers' and students' foray into the world of literature for young adults.

• The inspiration for the project came when Tom Phillion was observing a student teacher lead in a lesson in which she placed a writing prompt up on the blackboard: “If you had to choose a word to complete the phrase ‘the Age of _________’ to describe the time in which we live, what word would you choose, and why?”
• The research consists of, from March to December of 2007, reading 40 young adult books and posting a digital booktalk for each of them to the blog, with transcriptions, notes and related links.
• Titles covered were selected from the following ALA's lists: 2007 Top Ten Best Books for Young Adults, the 2007 Alex Award winners (ten adult books recommended for teen readers), the 2007 Top Ten Quick Picks for Reluctant Young Adult Readers, and the 2006 Teens Top Ten (a list of outstanding literature selected by teens themselves): these include American Born Chinese by Gene Luen Yang and Samurai Shortstop by Alan Gratz.
• In addition to exploring issues related to young adult literature, the project also aims to research other interpretations of the contemporary world generated by social scientists, popular media figures, teenagers, and others involved in the world of literature for adolescents.
• Teachers and/or students interested in posting digital booktalks or in writing about the relationship of ya books to the contemporary world should contact Tom Phillion.

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