This book is about the involvement of young people in criminality and the subsequent response of the authorities to their activities. It is designed as a accessible textbook for students taking courses in youth justice or training for work in the youth justice system.The book is divided into three parts. Part 1: Young People, Criminality and Criminal Justice traces the development of young people from their social construction as children and adolescents, considers attempts to educate, discipline, control and construct them in the interests of a myriad different interest groups and examines their deviance, 'offending behaviour' and the consequential societal response. Part 2: Explaining Youth Criminal Behaviour considers the various explanations - or criminological theories - and the relevant empirical evidence to support these of why it is that young people offend. Part 3: The Contemporary Youth Justice System and its Critics examines the origins, foundations, implementation and parameters of the contemporary youth justice system.