| Sumario: | This article focuses on Jean E. Karl’s influential role as a children’s and young adult (YA) book editor and publisher, particularly in the development and popularization of mythopoeic fantasy. Karl, who led the children’s division at Atheneum Books from 1961 to 1985, edited and published numerous award-winning works by authors such as Ursula K. Le Guin, Patricia McKillip, Anne McCaffrey, and Tamora Pierce, shaping the genre’s growth and the rise of feminist themes in YA fantasy. Despite her significant contributions—including editing six Newbery Medal-winning books and fostering innovative YA science fiction and fantasy—Karl’s impact remains underrecognized in literary scholarship. The article also situates Karl’s editorial philosophy within broader cultural and publishing contexts, highlighting her advocacy for children’s intellectual agency, integrity in children’s literature, and resistance to censorship during a conservative era.
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