Kirkus Star
THE KIRKUS STAR
Awarded to Books of Exceptional Merit

BROWSE BOOK REVIEWS




Teen Short-Story Collections with Romantic Themes


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Cover art for GIRL MEETS BOY
CHILDREN'S
Released: Jan. 1, 2012

"A superb offering--and therefore a shame that its cover design of a boy and girl in a clinch makes it look like a run-of-the mill romance, which may limit its appeal. (Short stories. 14 & up)"
This conceptually unique collection of short story pairings by a constellation of teen-literature stars explores a variety of relationship types as the respective male and female involved in each one experience them. Read full book review >
Cover art for TRUTH & DARE
CHILDREN'S
Released: May 1, 2011
edited by Liz Miles

"Fans of Ellen Wittlinger and Gary Soto will be pleased to find them included in this edgy anthology for teens who dare to face the sometimes-ugly truths of life. (Short stories. 12 & up)"
Truth-telling can be dangerous, as anyone knows who's traveled the angst-filled terrain of adolescence. Read full book review >
Cover art for KISS ME DEADLY
CHILDREN'S
Released: Aug. 1, 2010
edited by Trisha Telep

"Fans who can't get enough of their favorite authors will also be thrilled to find a back story to Carrie Ryan's The Forest of Hands and Teeth, a Generation Dead companion by Daniel Waters and more killer unicorns from Diana Peterfreund. (Short stories. YA)"
Can true love die if you're already dead? Read full book review >
Cover art for NO SUCH THING AS THE REAL WORLD
CHILDREN'S
Released: May 1, 2009

"In several of the stories, most notably An Na's "Complication," the protagonist must sort through myriad moral complexities—in other words, the stuff and substance of adulthood. (Short stories. 14 & up)"
In her succinct introduction to this up-and-down story collection, editor Jill Santopolo mentions the "dotted line" that separates childhood from adulthood, a time when the young individual must begin to negotiate the world alone. Read full book review >
Cover art for HOW THEY MET, AND OTHER STORIES
CHILDREN'S
Released: Jan. 8, 2008

"Teens and older young adults will find themselves here and likely learn a little about that many-splendored emotion. (Fiction. YA)"
Levithan, a YA author and children's-book editor, created 12 of the 14 stories collected here as Valentine's Day presents to family and friends. Read full book review >
Cover art for FIRST KISS (THEN TELL)
CHILDREN'S
Released: Jan. 1, 2008
edited by Cylin Busby

"Should have enormous appeal. (Anthology. YA)"
The bonbon factor is high in this collection of splendid YA authors writing about the inexhaustible subject of kissing. Read full book review >
Cover art for GRL2GRL
CHILDREN'S
Released: Sept. 1, 2007

"None of these stories is strong enough to stand alone; a collection whose raison d'être is ideological should be more inclusive. (Fiction. 13-15)"
Peters portrays a variety—but an inadequate one—of queer teenage girls. Read full book review >
Cover art for WHO AM I WITHOUT HIM?
CHILDREN'S
Released: May 1, 2004

"Honest and valuable. (Fiction. YA)"
A collection of short stories focused on the way teens get caught up in the need to be a part of a couple for identity in today's world. Read full book review >
Cover art for ONE HOT SECOND
CHILDREN'S
Released: June 11, 2002
edited by Cathy Young

"Young readers will find subject matter they crave, and more. (Fiction. YA)"
Twelve incandescent short stories work as guaranteed attention-getters for older adolescents. Read full book review >
Cover art for LOVE & SEX
CHILDREN'S
Released: June 1, 2001
edited by Michael Cart

"It's a bold poke in the eye to the censors, and an invigorating addition to the literature. (Fiction. YA)"
In a direct frontal assault on censorship of young-adult literature, Cart (My Father's Scar, 1996, etc.) presents ten short stories that highlight a taboo subject: teenagers coping with sexuality. Read full book review >