In different ways this book explores the WHAT, WHY and HOW of literature teaching in English as a foreign language. For the first time the position of English literature in the Norwegian foreign language classroom is taken up and discussed thoroughly and seriously. The first part covers the development of literature seen through exam questions and curriculum plans. For historical reasons most space is devoted to upper secondary school level, but lower secondary and primary school are also treated in the light of the reform of 1997, as it puts an unprecedented emphasis on literature in foreign language teaching and learning, especially for young learners.