What does children's and youth literature (KJL) achieve in the 21st century? Which subjects and themes does she pick up on? And what forms of representation does it use? This volume addresses these and other questions about the KJL system of action and symbols. In the first part, it develops theoretical considerations on current developments and tendencies in KJL. The contributions in the second part analytically get to the bottom of selected novels. Her concern is to discuss the role of texts in a globalized media society by examining the "what" and "how" of storytelling. The third part collects contributions in honor of Prof. Dr. Benno Pubanz, who, as a university teacher, president of the Kulturbund and initiator of the environmental prize for children's and youth literature, has made a special contribution to literature for young readers.