SHINING ON

This collection of 11 stories by different authors contains tales of teens making their way through some sort of challenge and getting to the other side with new knowledge and maturity. Most of the stories are written in first person, adding a sense of immediacy. Anne Fine tells the moving story of a teenage boy who finally and somewhat accidentally lets his mom know that he’s gay. In “You’re a Legend,” by Sue Limb, a girl searching for a unique “look” for herself is shocked to find that her “sad old” gran was actually quite a character in her youth and has fascinating stories to tell. Celia Rees’s creepy “Calling the Cats” has a female protagonist who must find a way to bring peace to a family of ghostly children who have more sinister intentions for the living girl. “Skin Deep,” by Rosie Rushton, relays the heartbreaking yet hopeful tale of a girl whose face and body are permanently scarred by a bomb. Each tale is different, but all describe the ability of teens to get through rough patches and find their own way to shine. The variety, notion of durability and capability for making the best of situations makes for a thought-provoking read. (Short stories. 12-15)