"[This book] delivers cutting-edge coverage of essential theory, policy, and the latest research ... this brief text helps readers understand the nature of delinquency and its causes, as well as current strategies being used to control or eliminate its occurrence. It offers the latest coverage of emerging policies and programs, juvenile hate crime, social reaction and labeling theories, learning problems and delinquency, gangs, drugs, and capital punishment for juveniles." (Quoted from product description)