The World's Toughest Book Critics ℠
 
Cover art for HOW BEAUTIFUL THE ORDINARY
Rate this book:
Loved it
Liked it
Meh...
Don't bother

HOW BEAUTIFUL THE ORDINARY

Twelve Stories of Identity
Age Range: 14 - 18
Twelve renowned authors, some of whom contributed to the classic YA collection Am I Blue?: Coming Out from the Silence, use diverse points of view, settings and characters to bring readers stories of sexual and gender identity. Read full review
Buy this book from
Buy this book from Amazon
Buy this book from Barnes and Noble
Buy this book from IndieBound
Save for later:
Add to my list
MORE BY MICHAEL CART
Cover art for MY FATHER'S SCAR
by Michael Cart
Cover art for LOVE & SEX
by Michael Cart
Cover art for 911
by Michael Cart
 
Similar books suggested by our critics:
Cover art for I AM J
by Cris Beam
Cover art for SPEAKING OUT
by Steve Berman
Cover art for GIRL MEETS BOY
by Kelly Millner Halls
Cover art for THE LETTER Q
by Sarah Moon
Cover art for THAT'S NOT A FEELING
by Dan Josefson
HOW BEAUTIFUL THE ORDINARY (reviewed on September 1, 2009)

Twelve renowned authors, some of whom contributed to the classic YA collection Am I Blue?: Coming Out from the Silence, use diverse points of view, settings and characters to bring readers stories of sexual and gender identity. Standouts in this collection include Eric Shanower’s “Happily Ever After,” a graphic-format story of two boys granted wishes that go horribly wrong, and Francesca Lia Block’s “My Virtual World,” in which social networking enables two troubled teens to form a bond of friendship. Three stories include transgender characters, further expanding this subgenre. In another two, nationality and language barriers serve as a vehicle for a meaningful exploration of sexuality. This collection focuses on older teen and 20-something characters, with even one character in her 40s, meaning that most are solid in their sexuality and gender identification and are exploring what it means to be part of a family, form different kinds of loving relationships and exist as they’ve accepted themselves. Provocative, quality content. (Short stories. 14 & up)


Pub Date: Oct. 1st, 2009
ISBN: 978-0-06-115498-0
Page count: 368pp
Publisher: HarperTeen
Review Posted Online: May 20th, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Sept. 1st, 2009