Dating! Drama! Driving!
Remember what it was like to be sixteen? Whether it was the year your teeth were finally free of braces or the y... read full description
Remember what it was like to be sixteen? Whether it was the year your teeth were finally free of braces or the y... read full description
reviews
Jan 13, 2012
Navi
rated it: 
I read this book two weeks ago with eager intent to review it.
And then I forgot about it.
This is a book with a Chinese prostitute drawing China on her breasts, and I forgot about it.
That's how boring these stories are.
Now, not all of them are horrible, a few are, but not all of them. I can only think of two standouts; Sarah Dessan's story at the very beginning and the aforementioned one with the prostitutes, which was actually a decently written history pi More...
And then I forgot about it.
This is a book with a Chinese prostitute drawing China on her breasts, and I forgot about it.
That's how boring these stories are.
Now, not all of them are horrible, a few are, but not all of them. I can only think of two standouts; Sarah Dessan's story at the very beginning and the aforementioned one with the prostitutes, which was actually a decently written history pi More...
Jun 20, 2011
Sunhi
rated it:
I spotted this sweet little polka-dotted book at the used bookstore the other day. I noted the title, the editor (she wrote my beloved books Sloppy Firsts and Second Helpings), and the copy included the words "hilarious and poignant". What a lie. If this book were more honest it would be "Well-written stories that will make you sad for the rest of the night and you'll lie on your bed and weep and despair through several of them."
Some of the stories, including Sar More...
Some of the stories, including Sar More...
Dec 29, 2009
Hannah
rated it: 
I enjoyed the variety in the anthology–from Ned Vizzini’s story about a boy from the old west coming of age via a brothel visit with dad to Carolyn Mackler’s story about two girls–one who has found religion and one who has just had sex. Most seemed to be really from the point of view of the modern teen except…I annotated one of the stories called Infinity, which, when I annotated it, I really liked–at least the use of symbols. She uses the metaphor of mastering a rotary as a symbol of masterin
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Nov 23, 2011
kb
rated it:
Was I ever so eggzited to have a copy of this! For one thing, it has an awesome editor, and an equally awesome pool of writers. Another thing? It has a Jessica Darling story. HOWEVAAAH, I have to be honest and say I didn't quite enjoy it as I thought I would. The first stories were v. promising but during the middle part? Oh no, Ms. McCafferty, I think you could have made a better arrangement for the stories. To add in-salt to injury, David Levithan's contribution wasn't exactly new. In fact, it
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Apr 04, 2011
Sidsel
rated it:
The cover had me stalling for years, I mean it's really embarrassing, but then a voice in me said: "There is some Jessica Darling out there that you havn't read! Are you an idiot?!" So I bought it and honestly I just wanted to get all the other stories overwith and along the way I kept hoping that the next one would be about my favourite heroine. But alas, she was last and I'm not sure I would have read the rest if she wasn't, because most of them kind of sucked. Most of them did nothi
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Jul 28, 2009
Chrissy
rated it: 
My mother bought this for me at a time not even near my 16th birthday. I can't remember if it was before or after, but there are so many stories that have stuck with me from this volume. There are probably many reasons for this; it was the beginning of my love affair with short story collections, each story is from a different author so they remain fresh, and (most obvious of all) I read it at a time when I could most relate to tales of learning to drive, starting to shave, and discovering love
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Jan 21, 2011
Tessa
rated it:
Ignore the terrible cover design and the fact that it says "Dating! Driving! Drama!" on the back over the copy.
Like any short story compilation there were standouts and non-starters, but it's worth picking up for the M.T. Anderson one alone (The Fever and Mud Dialogues). It prompted me to browse ancient Greek philosophers in the Standford Encyclopedia of Philosophy (available online!)
Carolyn Mackler, & Ned Vizzini's were also quite good, and from the Megan McCa More...
Like any short story compilation there were standouts and non-starters, but it's worth picking up for the M.T. Anderson one alone (The Fever and Mud Dialogues). It prompted me to browse ancient Greek philosophers in the Standford Encyclopedia of Philosophy (available online!)
Carolyn Mackler, & Ned Vizzini's were also quite good, and from the Megan McCa More...
Oct 15, 2010
Melissa
rated it:
Such a dearth of short stories exists in the YA genre that I was tickled to see that Megan McCafferty put together a collection of short stories from the likes of Sarah Dessen, Jacqueline Woodsen, David Leviathan, and others.
And some of the stories are quite strong. Dessen opens the collection with the story "Infinity," putting forth perhaps the best writing I've seen from her yet. Jacqueline Woodsen's "Nebraska 99" stands out as the strongest voice and perhaps More...
And some of the stories are quite strong. Dessen opens the collection with the story "Infinity," putting forth perhaps the best writing I've seen from her yet. Jacqueline Woodsen's "Nebraska 99" stands out as the strongest voice and perhaps More...
Mar 30, 2010
Alisha
rated it: 
Apparently a girl's sixteenth birthday is supposed to be the be all to end all of all birthdays. It's supposed to be the year when your life begins. When everything of interest starts to happen to you. The cute guy right by your locker will finally notice you and your kick-ass boobs. The meanest girl in school will finally bow to your awesomeness and you'll get the chance to be a total bitch to her. It's supposed to be the year you look back at and think "Man, those were the days. The
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Aug 27, 2008
Brittany
rated it:
How I Came To Read This Book: I believe Danielle gave it to me as a birthday or Christmas gift.
The Plot: The book is a compilation of sixteen short stories surrounding sweet sixteens - whether birthdays or events closely related to that treasured bday year (like learning to drive or embarking on a first solo trip sans parents), including a 'countdown' story of the last sixteen minutes Jessica Darling ever spent with her bff Hope of Megan McCafferty's actual regular series.
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The Plot: The book is a compilation of sixteen short stories surrounding sweet sixteens - whether birthdays or events closely related to that treasured bday year (like learning to drive or embarking on a first solo trip sans parents), including a 'countdown' story of the last sixteen minutes Jessica Darling ever spent with her bff Hope of Megan McCafferty's actual regular series.
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Feb 10, 2012
Beeks
rated it:
I'm not really a superfan of short stories, but this collection was a fun read. There were only two stories I out and out didn't like. These stories aren't really about being sixteen, though. A handful of the narrators had very adult voices. I'm not sure what I was expecting out of this collection, but whatever it was, it didn't get delivered. I don't feel like I wasted my time reading this, but I won't read it again.
Jul 06, 2009
Shannon
rated it: 
would have been better if i was reading closer to my 16th birthday. short stories usually arent my thing, they just leave me hungry for more. put those two together and you get my lame rating. because its my rating, not because its a bad book, just sometimes its all about reading it at the right time and such...which for me its 15 years too late.
Feb 12, 2009
Jessica
rated it:
Some of these stories I liked, some I loved, and some bored me to tears. I guess that's how it is in a short story collection from different authors.
Another review mentioned being surprised by the fact that the authors she expected to love were just okay, while she loved some that really surprised her. I felt the exact same way.
Another review mentioned being surprised by the fact that the authors she expected to love were just okay, while she loved some that really surprised her. I felt the exact same way.
May 18, 2009
chanceofbooks
rated it:
This is a great little collection. Several of the stories were very well-done, and I think there is something for every variety of YA reader here. I really appreciated the exposure to so many different YA authors at one time.
Dec 12, 2007
Kricket
rated it:
The tricky thing about reading a book of short stories by different authors is that it's hard to give a rating to; I loved a few, liked some, didn't like others at all. The good thing is that I discovered some new authors I want to read more of.
I think my favorite was "Cowgirls and Indie Boys" by Tanuja Desai Hidier because it was surprising, yet also summed up so well what it feels like to be in high school. My other favorites were "Rutford becomes a man" by Ned More...
I think my favorite was "Cowgirls and Indie Boys" by Tanuja Desai Hidier because it was surprising, yet also summed up so well what it feels like to be in high school. My other favorites were "Rutford becomes a man" by Ned More...
Dec 04, 2008
Marian
rated it:
I won't say that I loved each story equally. I didn't. But the big surprise for me was that the authors I expected to love were merely liked, but the others were loved more than I could have imagined.
Aug 03, 2011
Rachel
rated it:
Not the best. There were only a few stories that I actually enjoyed. One of the only redeeming points in this collection was the brand new short story that tied into Sloppy Firsts and Second Helpings.
Jan 02, 2010
Lacey
rated it:
Not as good as I would have hoped, judging from her previous books. This may be due to the fact that multiple authors presented themselves in this book, but still not a favorite of mine.
Jun 07, 2010
Helen
rated it:
Honestly, I couldn't get through any of the stories except for Megan's Jessica Darling story. Loved that story enough to give the entire book three stars.
May 25, 2011
Kim
rated it:
It is, as with most collections, uneven. The stories I did like, however, I really loved--for them alone I would recommend giving this one a try.
Mar 02, 2011
Cbf
rated it:
pretty good book.. its a very typical book for a sixteen year old to read..
Apr 19, 2011
Looks amazing! I love it when authors come together and write books!
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Dec 01, 2009
Erin (NY)
rated it:
Some stories were ok, some I really didn't like. Overall, I was really bored reading this. I think part of it is that I hate short stories! They end before I get a chance to get into them.
Jun 11, 2009
I read this a while back so i don't really remember much about it but i do know that there is a story in there that is about Jessica Darling's sweet 16. I treated my sweet 16 as any other birthday. I just don't see the importance of making my 16th birthday sweeter or celebrating the new privileges i have.There are some sad stories in there such as the pregnant mothers. There are so many point of views and experiences on 16 year old girls and the book really sums up what being 16 in this era is a
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Oct 18, 2007
Laura
rated it:
The depth and breadth of the stories in this anthology is remarkable. The one that sticks with me the most is "The Alumni Interview", although they are all excellent. I enjoyed reading about sixteen from so many different perspectives. It also made me think back to my own teenage years and all of the things that I leaned along the way. Some of the stories also made me miss the people I hung out with then. Although I still see some of them, I haven't heard from others in years. Aaahhhh,
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May 18, 2009
Kirsten
rated it:
I guess I just didn't get it. Was it because my sixteenth year did not leave a significant impact on my life? Who knows. But it feels like some of these stories were really reaching to be something different, something more complex, when they really didn't need to be. Some of the stories were great though, like the prelude to Sloppy Firsts.
Sep 25, 2007
Rowan
rated it:
Some of the short stories in here were really good, others were mediocre. I actually think I may have read this book before because a few were very familiar. The fact that I don't remember that is testimony that the book wasn't the best thing I've read. It was entertaining enough but I doubt I'll re-read it.
Oct 05, 2007
Danielle
rated it:
Not that impressed, but there were some standout stories: Sarah Dessen's "Infinity", Carolyn Mackler's "Mona Lisa, Jesus, Chad, and Me", David Levithan's "The Alumni Interview", and Sarah Mlynowski's "The Perfect Kiss" were all very good.
Nov 04, 2008
Shirice
rated it:
This was a good collection of short stories. Though one or two of the stories bored me, the bulk of them were interesting and engrossing. Overall, this was a great book.
