In the Foreword, "Utopia, Dystopia, and the Quest for Hope," Jack Zipes opens the case for studying the genre by stating, "Utopian and dystopian literature form a great discourse about hope .... once 'struck with hope' for a more humane world, children will want more" (xxi). Hintz and Ostry continue this argument in their Introduction by including a number of benefits that children can realize from reading this genre. Not the least among these is that such literature helps to develop powers of the imagination. Hintz and Ostry observe that utopian/dystopian writing is often didactic, and as such, can be a powerful teaching tool. Some lessons they suggest that children can learn from this genre are that technology must be used wisely, that "it is important to take care of Earth and each other" (12), and that it is possible to overcome incredible odds with limited resources. Utopian/dystopian literature encourages creative and critical thinking by situating readers within various types of social organizations and political configurations. The vicarious experience forces readers to consider alternative ways of structuring society, to evaluate the effects of the different arrangements, and to reflect upon how society might change for the better. Utopian/dystopian literature helps children and young adults learn about themselves and their place in their societies, inviting them to "consider what it means to be human in the 21st century" (11).