The paper used content analysis in examining the African American presence in eight juvenile delinquency textbooks published between 1997 and 2000. The research centered on three major issues: (1) the citation of African American scholarship in the texts analyzed; (2) the portrayal of African Americans in visual depictions throughout the textbooks; and (3) explanations of African American involvement in delinquency. Study findings included: adequate discussions of the social dimensions of race; more negative than positive images; inadequate coverage of African American scholarship; and adequate coverage of African American issues in discussions of delinquency, including explanations of race/ethnicity. The paper concluded that it was the responsibility of juvenile delinquency textbook authors to present balanced portrayals of African Americans and other minorities already suffering from excessively negative portrayals in American society. In addition, textbook authors should strive to include perspectives of scholars who have something different to offer regarding delinquency among African Americans, dispelling the myth that they are only purveyors of the problem--not purveyors of potential solutions. References, table, appendix