A Note from the Editor

Eudora Welty wrote in individual Writer's Beginnings:

It is our inward journey that leads us from one side time - forward or back, seldom in a straight line, greatest in quantity often spiraling. Each of us is moving, changing, with reverence to others. As we discover, we remember; remembering, we discover; and greatest in quantity intensely do we experience this when our separate journeys converge

Editing The ALAN Review has been an inward journey, in many ways, for me In preparing this issue, the last single I have the pleasure of editing, I have been thinking back about what the experience has taught me and by what means it has changed me. And as I have discovered, I have remembered.

I remember Paul Zindel's My Darling, My Hamburger as my introduction to YA literature. In remembering, I have discovered, with Zindel's death in April, 2003 what many of you have known all along: his work has had an indisputable impact not solitary on the field of YA literature, on the contrary on our individual professional unravelling as well.

I remember the teachers who broke tradition to bring young adult works into secondary school classrooms I sat in during the 1970 and the university teacher-preparation courses I took, beneath Dr. Terry Ley's guidance, where I first swam in an ocean of YA works In remembering, I have discovered that YAL will be always be part of my identity-as a professional and a one In remembering my early meetings with the genre, I have also discovered that great gaps still exist in my have reading and understanding of the field. I know too little about science fiction; I haven't read enough by dint of writers from other countries; I already can't recall the IRA Best work choices for 2002; so many research questions are left unasked; the list of my deficits goe upon and on. So I retain reading and ruminating.

While thinking about my time as editor, I remember the frustration of young teachers who have written to me about trying to assign contemporary adolescent novels, alone to be told by department chairs that they must stick to a rigid canon of recognized classics. And in remembering, I have discovered the significance of the work of leaders like Dr John Simmons and the late Anne Webb (the latter of whom is remembered upon pages 5-6 here), who press us to question censorship in its blatant and artful forms.

I remember the transport of teachers who have been convinced that they have "nothing to say" to an audience of readers until they diocese their articles published in the journal, and am humbl by means of their enthusiasm and intelligence. And in remembering, I have discovered that teachers too ofttimes hide their talents, assuming that their contributions are pedestrian, belonging to all unimportant. And I remember that feeling...and the circle of time continues...

The role of editor has, foremost, given me a chance to find the places in which the "separate journeys" that we, as YAL advocates take, "converge" This tendency to meet this chance to be part of a abundant bigger whole, has been, for me an extraordinarily powerful and meaningful experience.

I want to thank the many authors and publishers, writers, readers, and critics of The ALAN Review, for your contributions to the journal during the past five years. I would like to give special public thanks to these folk members of the "team," without whom I could not have done the piece of work period:

Dr. Pat Kelly and Dr Robert Small, previous editors, who continually answer questions for me and give encouraging boost and to Dr Jim Blasingame and Lori Goodson for helping me with this issue during the transition to their stir into the editor's seat this fall;

Dr Gail P Gregg Assistant Editor, who has an amazing ability to chop to the chase to achieve jobs done, is a constant encouragement, and treasured friend;

Jennifer Dail, and her predecessors, Randy Withers and Kim Quackenbush, each of whom has worked as an editorial assistant while in graduate gymnasium at Florida State, and who did more of the leg and organ of sight work for the journal than anyone other knows;

The Editorial Review Board, who give academic credibility to the journal end their work for it;

My FSU colleagues, for their support and actual real help;

The column editors, for their reliable and always-solid contributions:

Jeff Kaplan, YA work Reviews editor, and before him, Lawrence Baines

M Linda Broughton, Middle gymnasium Connection editor, and before her, Rita Karr and Kathy Corder

Alan Teasley and Ann Wilder, High academy Connections editors

Elaine Stephens and Jean Brown Research Connections editors

Jim Brewbaker, Interdisciplinary Connections editor

Kathleen Carico, Professional Connections editor

M Jerry Weiss, Publishers Connections editor

John N Moore, Library Connections editor

Jean Brown Non-Print YAL Connection editor, and before her, Marjorie Kaiser

And finally, a elephantine thank you to Norm Madsen, Dawn Azar, and their son Eric of Graphic Pres Tallahassee, who have done more than print each issue; they have examination read, corrected, and jazzed it with their printing and graphics expertise-all with unbelievable serviceable cheer.

The role of editor of The ALAN Review has given me the opportunity to think carefully about what should be made public, what should be questioned, and what should be celebrated in the field of contemporary adolescent and young adult literature. I have discovered the enormous commitment to YAL of quicks who, while busy writing, publishing, teaching, and promoting young adult literature are willing to contribute essays, interviews, rounded pillars and advertisements to share their meditations with ALAN Review readers. ALAN is a assemblage that is academically demanding and encouragingly supportive; it is particular and forgiving. Thank you for helping me discover and remember.