By Kristen LaRue-Sandler — March 26, 2026
Three faculty members in the ASU Department of English announce books recently published or imminently forthcoming. Works include an edited collection, an anthology in translation, and a novel, and they explore youth TV, sensory studies, and Africanjujuism.
‘Contemporary Youth Television: Precarity, Identity, and Resistance’ (Palgrave Macmillan, 2026)
This collection of essays edited by Aviva Dove-Viebahn is set for release in April. From the publisher:
“This book explores the intricate landscape of youth representation on television, shedding new light on how tweens, teens, and young adults navigate social, political, and environmental crises through media. Through an examination of myriad shows from primarily the last two decades, the book delves into the complex narratives that shape young viewers' understanding of the world around them. Chapters in ‘Contemporary Youth Television’ investigate critical topics such as racial violence, representations of gender and sexuality, identity formation, coming of age, and the impact of digital media on youth. Through expert analysis, the authors uncover how television serves as both a mirror and a guide, reflecting societal issues while offering avenues for hope and education. Readers are invited to consider how long-form narratives on television uniquely engage with real-world challenges, providing a platform for meaningful discourse.
This volume is essential for scholars of media studies, educators, and anyone interested in the intersection of youth, media, and society. It offers valuable insights into the evolving role of television in shaping young minds and highlights the potential for positive representation and education in youth programming. Whether you are a researcher, a parent, or a media enthusiast, this book provides a comprehensive understanding of the perils, power, and promise of youth television.”
Dove-Viebahn is an associate professor in the ASU Department of English’s film and media studies program.
‘中世纪感官文化史’ (Shanghai Academy of Social Sciences Press, 2023)
Translated by Wenyi Qian, this edition of “A Cultural History of the Senses in the Middle Ages” (2014) edited by Richard Newhauser was released in China. From the publisher (translation by Google):
- “This book explores the diverse interpretations of the senses in the Middle Ages, from specific urban or market settings to their applications in medicine, science, and even philosophy; from their role as symbols of social status to their use in academic analysis; and reveals the importance of sensory experience.”
Newhauser is a professor in the ASU Department of English’s literature program.
‘The Daughter Who Remains: She Who Knows: Book 3’ (DAW Books, 2026)
The newest science fiction title from Nnedi Okorafor is set in the author’s “Africanjujuist” world. From the publisher:
“Set in the universe Africanfuturist luminary Nnedi Okorafor first introduced in the World Fantasy Award-winning ‘Who Fears Death,’ ‘The Daughter Who Remains’ is the breathtaking conclusion to the ‘She Who Knows’ trilogy. Featuring Najeeba, now older and wiser than readers have ever known her, this is a tale of family, courage, and healing
Najeeba has something terrible to kill.And now she’s off to go and kill it. A fully trained, mature, and sharply focused sorcerer (don’t call her sorceress), Najeeba has left the comfort and security of her town with two companions, the glass maker Dedan and the old camel MorningStar. This journey takes her back to where it all began. And despite the fact that her training with the sorcerer Aro forced her to face her deepest fears, she hasn’t seen anything close to what she’s about to see.
As the Igbo proverb goes, a masquerade does not dance for nothing. ‘The Daughter Who Remains’ is the final book in the ‘She Who Knows’ trilogy. This tale isn’t about Najeeba learning to master her powerful skills, it’s about her having the audacity and courage to use them and use them well…no matter the consequence.”
Okorafor is a professor of practice with a dual appointment in ASU’s Department of English and in the Interplanetary Initiative.