In what areas are children and adolescents similar or dissimilar? And is the onset of early adolescence a transitional period for those characteristics that are different in childhood and adolescence? These key questions are addressed in this volume, the first comprehensive review of the literature on change and stability in the period between childhood and adolescence. The contributors explore the commonly held beliefs and theories regarding whether the profound biological changes that occur in puberty impact on or alter children"s self-concepts, psychological functioning and interpersonal relationships.