Several decades old and showing no signs of age, this exceptional literary magazine remains timely and fresh, and despite the ubiquitous attractions of electronic devices, its fiction, nonfiction, poetry and art are enjoyed as fiercely by today's audience of tweens and teens as they have been since the magazine's inception in the 1970s. Well-conceived and wide-ranging, Cricket stories are often serialized, giving readers engaging substance, whether set in the real world or in a fantasy realm. Recent non-fiction pieces explored the roots of an Irish legend, the hard lives of 18th century chimney sweeps, and the accomplishments of a busy horror actor and a pioneering female acrobatic swimmer. Readers are welcomed as active participants through a vibrant two-page letters section, short story, poetry, and art contests; book recommendations, artwork, and favorite first lines from books. In addition, the magazine includes excerpts from readers' contributions to Cricket's online, ongoing, interactive fantasy adventure, "Kyngdom."