In recent years, the field of rural youth studies has gained significant attention, reflecting a growing recognition of the unique challenges and opportunities faced by young people in rural areas. Growing up Rural: Qualitative longitudinal explorations of young people living in the Nordic countries makes several key contributions to this burgeoning field. First, it provides a comprehensive and nuanced exploration of the lives of rural youth. Secondly, the book suggests theoretical/methodological advancement of rural studies with the use of a processual—qualitative longitudinal—methodology. Third, the book offers a fresh, international perspective of similarities and differences of rural youths, focusing particularly on the Nordic countries. These Nordic welfare states are often seen as models of egalitarianism and wealth but are at the same time under increasing pressure. Many of the challenges the rural areas in these nations face are near universal: deindustrialisation, economic challenges and centralisation of education, making the situation for youth in rural Nordic areas both particular and universal at the same time. The edited volume seeks to contribute to the ongoing discussions in youth studies by providing nuanced insights into the lives of young people in rural areas, their belonging to their homeplaces and how they imagine and construct their lives and futures. The introduction introduces the emerging field of rural youth studies, its key questions, and places the edited volume Growing up Rural within this field. The Introduction concludes with presenting the chapters of the book.