This collection of essays explores topics in childhood studies, with a focus on children's identity formation. The contributors take the perspective that children are not just passive recipients of environmental stimuli or adult culture, but active agents in choosing and performing their social roles. The essays are divided into three sections on norms, listening and learning, and cross-cultural mobility. Specific essays include looking at Bedouin girls' experience of modernization and tradition in Israel, children's experience of poverty and social exclusion in England, learning from a "special needs" child, young people's engagement with parenting, and doing field work with Japanese children. The contributors are anthropologists, community workers, sociologists and development consultants. Annotation ©2012 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)