Anthologies

From the silent horror of an image-obsessed teenager starving herself to perfection to the hilarious humilations of a freshman forced to endure fencing class, each of these stories is a very personal and creative response to a simple question: Where do writers get their ideas? The answer? Anywhere and everywhere. Each story was specially commissioned for this collection, and included an introductory essay by the author explaining the story's origins in the author's life--and its significance. Contributors include: Jerry Spinelli, Betsty Byars, Paul Zindel, Jon Scieszka, T.A. Barron, Tamora Pearce, Mary Ann McGuigan, Lois Metzger, Mel Glenn, Joyce Hansen, Rich Wallace, Joan Abelove and Eleanora E. Tate.

Sex. It’s on the minds of every teenager, whether they’re having it, not having it, talking about it, or just thinking about it. In this powerful collection, 11 acclaimed writers for young people capture the various expressions of desire–from first crushes to first times, and all of the charged emotions in between. Here, a sleek new teammate becomes more than a friend; a hopeful date feels his evening unravel; a pale boy delivers a sweet but terrible kiss; a wise girl discovers the real rules about love. Jennifer Armstrong, Sarah Dessen, Emma Donoghue, Nancy Garden, Angela Johnson, Victor Martinez, Norma Fox Mazer, Rachel Vail, Rich Wallace, Ellen Wittlinger, and Jacqueline Woodson have crafted original stories that are as complex and provocative as desire itself. Because anything can happen in one hot second.

Let your imagination soar and take flight with these fourteen original tales of fantasy and science fiction by a distinguished line-up of award-winning children's and young adult authors. Joan Bauer gives us Chloe, a fantasy writer trying to tell a new story--but her characters won't cooperate. Suzanne Fisher Staples introduces us to the powers of djinn in her magical tale set in Pakistan. Charles de Lint offers a romantic tale set during the Summer of Love in his mythical city of Newford. A witch's son seeks revenge in a chilling murder mystery by Michael O. Tunnell. Craig and Jessica, two high school runners, star in this story of transformation by Rich Wallace. Patrice Kindl's mysterious Mrs. Duck moves into the boring town of Refreshing Acres--and nothing is ever the same again. In S.L. Rottman's action-packed tale, the world is on fire, and it's a race to the water's edge. David Lubar thrills us with his story of Deborah, an aspiring magician. Mel Glenn shares a conversation between Ryan and an Angel in the afterlife. Jessie's encounter with a toad changes her life in this uplifting tale by Nancy Springer. A soldier meets the ghost of Timothy McVeigh, the Oklahoma City bomber, in John Ritter's thought-provoking story. An oracle makes an unsettling prediction in Sharon Dennis Wyeth's tale. Neal Shusterman introduces us to a young thief who holds the fate of the universe in his hands. Tamora Pierce's story takes us to the land of Hartunjar, where women are subservient to men--but not for long…